Are Wild Animals Meant To Be Pets?

Is it right to keep wild animals as pets? More importantly, is it safe? Even though many might not think it's right to keep these "pets," its not illegal. Last week, exotic animal reserve owner, Terry Thompson, released 56 wild animals from the Muskingum County Animal Farm in Ohio. He shot himself after doing this. These animals were extremely dangerous to the neighborhood living outside the animal farm. Because of this, sheriff's deputies shot 48 of the released animals, including eighteen rare Bengal tigers and seventeen lions. Six black bears, two grizzlies, a baboon, and three mountain lions were also killed. The death of the eighteen Bengal tigers was the most tragic because they are endangered with only around 1,400 left in the world. The real question is, why is this not illegal? There are many people around the world that keep these wild animals as pets in their homes. They raise them from when they are babies, and think that the animals will never harm them because they grew up with them. WRONG. As these wild animals get older, they become more aggressive and less predictable. These pet owners are taking a huge risk by keeping these dangerous animals as pets.


The author of the article, Peter Laufer, implies that he does not support people keeping wild animals as pets. He says that raising exotic animals can be very dangerous and creates many challenges. Laufer also says that, "Nationwide, the laws on keeping wildlife as pets are a confusing patchwork."Penalties for the violations are almost never severe and the laws are not very well enforced. This is part of the problem. Laufer believes that the federal government has some more work to do to protect the animals, and the owners. "It’s past time to regulate the wild beasts: us."


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