June 6, 1999 New Castle County, DE A 45-year-old man was found dead in his apartment from an apparent rattlesnake bite from one of his 15 “pet” snakes. The man was found 10 feet from an open, empty snake tank. The man had been feeding the animal when he was bitten. Animal Control officers removed from the man’s apartment 8 rattlesnakes, 2 king cobras, 2 corn snakes, a desert snake, and two others that were not identified. Reptiles
June 2, 1999 Yorktown, TX A male tiger jumped on a 10-year-old girl who entered the cage with her stepfather to groom the animal. The girl was dragged through the cage and died of head and neck injuries. The stepfather took the tiger to exotic animal shows and had applied for a USDA exhibitor license at the time of the attack. Big Cats
May 14, 1999 Mesa, AZ A “pet” monkey escaped from its backyard and lunged at a couple in the neighboring yard. The “owner” of the monkey had 4 macaques and 1 capuchin. This is one of many escapes by the “owner’s” “pet” monkeys. Primates
May 12, 1999 Rexburg, ID A bear bit an employee at a drive-through animal park, Yellowstone Bear World. The woman was treated for minor injuries. Bears
May 9, 1999 Bethune, SC After riding an elephant named Flora, the trainer tried to get off but fell under the elephant, who stepped on her. The trainer was flown to the hospital and suffered a broken leg. Another trainer working with Flora at the time was not injured. Elephants
April 24, 1999 Duluth, MN An elephant traveling with Tarzan Zerbini International Circus broke free of her rear shackle and seriously injured a circus worker. Elephants
April 15, 1999 Idaho Falls, ID A woman went to the hospital after a monkey bit her. The monkey was in a cage and bit her when she reached through the cage. Primates
April 10, 1999 Punta Gorda Isles, FL A “pet” monkey on the loose in a mobile home park was acting aggressively toward residents in the area. A police officer used a 12-gauge shotgun to shoot the 2-ft-tall rhesus monkey. Primates
April 3, 1999 San Bernardino, CA Eight horses owned by Sterling & Reid Bros Circus were turned over to the San Bernardino Humane Society after they were found to be malnourished. The circus was charged with cruelty to animals. Other