September 24, 1997 Everett, WA A 3-ft-long king cobra bit his owner two times. The man was airlifted to a hospital and treated with antivenin medication. Animal Control officers later confiscated the snake. Venomous snake ownership is illegal in Everett, WA. Reptiles
September 20, 1997 Somers, NY A “pet” bobcat escaped from its “owner’s” home and terrorized a neighborhood rabbit. The bobcat was later found in a neighbor’s yard. Small Cats
September 11, 1997 Southwest Portland, OR A “pet” Siberian tiger escaped from its cage and frightened a 74-year-old woman. Big Cats
August 28, 1997 Philadelphia, PA A “pet” viper sank its fangs into its “owner” who had to be rushed to the hospital. Reptiles
August 17, 1997 York Beach, ME Elephants leased for rides to Wild Animal Kingdom ran away from their trainer during morning exercises after being startled by a truck. Elephants
August 11, 1997 Little Rock, AR A grizzly bear at the Little Rock Zoo escaped her pen and rummaged through garbage cans in the zoo until a zookeeper discovered her during the night. The bear was darted and returned to the bear exhibit. Bears
August 9, 1997 Anaheim, CA A 10-year-old boy was attacked by his “pet” python while changing its water. Reptiles
August 7, 1997 West Hills, CA A 7-1/2-ft-long boa constrictor escaped from its home and ate Babette, a chihuahua, in the dog’s backyard. Babette’s “owner” was awarded $1,500 for the dog’s death. Reptiles
August 6, 1997 Salt Lake City, UT A gorilla at the Hogle Zoo attacked a primate supervisor, causing permanent nerve damage to the man’s left arm. Primates
August 6, 1997 Alburquerque, NM An over-heated trailer belonging to King Royal Circus was found in a hotel parking lot containing eight llamas and three elephants, one elephant was dead. All 3 elephants were found to have salmonella. King Royal Circus was fined and had their USDA license revoked. The surviving elephants llamas were later bought by the Rio Grande Zoo in New Mexico. The circus had been fined previously. ElephantsOther