Bill to ban dangerous wild animals as pets presented to Oregon legislators

Published on Mar 6, 2009 - 5:45:23 AM

By: Born Free USA

Portland, OR, March 5, 2009 - The recent chimpanzee attack in Connecticut demonstrates the need to prohibit private possession of wild animals such as primates in Oregon, say The Humane Society of the United States, Born Free USA, and the Oregon Humane Society (OHS). Last month's incident underscore the public safety and animal welfare issues associated with the private ownership of dangerous wild animals.

The HSUS, Born Free USA, and OHS are supporting S.B. 391, introduced by Senators Mark Hass (D-14) and Brian Boquist (R-23) to prohibit private possession of wild animals in the state, including alligators, monkeys, wolves, lions, tigers, and bears.

The Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee will consider the bill at a hearing on March 5.

"The owners of these animals are playing roulette with people's lives," says Nicole G. Paquette, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Born Free USA. "For the safety of people and animals in Oregon, the legislature must act now to prohibit dangerous wild and exotic animals from being kept in private hands."

Oregon is 1 of only 22 states that does not prohibit the private possession of exotic animals such as lions, tigers, bears, primates, and dangerous reptiles. Across the United States, incidents involving exotic animals, such as the recent mauling of a Connecticut woman by an escaped chimpanzee, reinforce the need for such legislation.

"This legislation will protect both public safety and animal welfare," said Scott Beckstead, Esq., Senior Oregon State Director for The HSUS. "Wild animals can attack, they can spread disease, and the average citizen cannot meet their needs in captivity. They belong in the wild. Fortunately, state lawmakers are poised to address this issue, and we urge the committee to pass S.B. 391."

"This legislation makes sense," said Sharon Harmon, OHS Executive Director. "Wild animals aren't suitable as companion animals. Having a wild animal in your home puts both the animal and the owner at risk of getting injured."

Currently in Oregon a permit is required to possess certain wild animals as pets. S.B. 391 will prohibit future possession of these animals and add alligators, crocodiles and caimans to the list. People who currently have these animals will be able to keep them, but not breed or replace them.

In addition to Senators Hass and Boquist, the bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Vicki Berger (R-20), Scott Bruun (R-37), Bill Garrard (R-56), Mike Schaufler (D-48), Brad Witt (D-31), and Arnie Roblan (D-9).

At the federal level, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer is the lead author of H.R. 80, the Captive Primate Safety Act, which would ban the interstate commerce in apes, monkeys, lemurs, marmosets and other primates for the pet trade. It would complement state laws on the possession of dangerous exotic animals, since many of these animals are purchased over the Internet and through other interstate instruments. Blumenauer's bill passed the U.S. House overwhelmingly last week by a vote of 323-95, and is now pending in the U.S. Senate.

Previous incidents in Oregon include:

* A pet alligator escaped from a Gresham home and was found walking along the Springwater Trail in September 2008.

* The body of a dead three-foot alligator was found in a creek in Douglas County in March 2007.

* A serval (an African wild cat) escaped from a home near Aurora in November 2006. The animal was recaptured only to escape again on the way home.

* A pet lynx escaped and jumped on a six-year-old girl's head in Clackamas County in August 2005.

* A caiman was returned after three days on the loose in Lane County in June 2005.

* A three-year-old girl in Bend was hospitalized after being bitten by a 40-pound exotic cat in her neighbor's yard in September 2002.

Website: www.bornfreeusa

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