Do you know anyone dumb enough to do this?

[Brigid]

On "Monster Quest" tonight, they're talking about attacks on people in different parts of the country by what are apparently large cats. Scientists think many of them may be escaped captive exotic cats like tigers, as there is almost no regulation on keeping these animal in most states. People are stupid enough to obtain them as cubs, then maybe turning them loose when they can no longer handle them. Stupid, stupid, stupid! I've been around domestic cats all my life, and even they can be unpredictable -- let alone a mountain lion or leopard or tiger! Scientists also say that if this is true, inbreeding in the captive population may be leading to abnormal behavior in the cats. Do you know anybody dunb enough to be keeping exotic cats?

[BuelahWitch]

1. One of my schoolmates had a "pet" bear when I was growing up

but I never knew any that had large cats. But I agree, it is stupid to raise exotic animals, unless you have the know how and have a wildlife preserve. I would think that most people do not.

[Blue Diadem]

2. Don't know him personally but know of him. He has big cats, bears and I'm not sure what else.

I've driven by his place a couple times and could see them in their huge cages. I read a news article a few years ago where he disturbed one of the bears during hibernation...nearly died as a result. He is truly a case of Lions, tigers and bears OH MY!

I think he's on the order of a rescue, taking in those animals when the owners find out they're unable to care for such large dangerous creatures.

I wouldn't want to be his neighbor.

[astral]

3. I believe it is something else.

The "Re-Wilding of America" is already going on, meaning wild carnivorous animals are being transplanted to areas in the United States where they either are extinct, or possibly never used to live in the first place. This great increase of people being attacked by wild big cats is something I have seen alot of stories of for a while now.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. New Jersey issues licenses, and issued one to...

Joan Byron Marasek and her Tigers Only preserve in Jackson. She made a lot of news about 10 years ago.

A tiger was caught wandering around Jackson and somone remembered her little preserve. She claimed it wasn't hers, but one of hers was missing.

Took a while, but I heard she finally got closed down. Part of the problem was finding another home for the tigers.

http://www.susanorlean.com/articles/lady_and_tigers.html