Are Exotic Cats a Threat to Public Safety? Why Exotic Pets Are Not Dangerous

I would like to address some of the statements INational Center for Health Statistics, 1218 people
have found on the web and in proposed ban billsdied while riding an animal between 1983 and
portraying servals and other small wild felines as1994.
unpredictable and dangerous creatures. This is aHorses have been known to viciously attack and
clear case of "what you don't know you will fear."kill their handlers and even people entering their
First of all, I would like to clarify for everyonepastures. A single kick from a horse can cause
that we are talking about tame, hand-raised petsserious injuries or death. Horses are so powerful
bred in the United States. It's not like you take athat even the strongest person stands no chance
trip to Africa, rope yourself a serval, and drag itof restraining one if it is determined to break
home hissing and spitting!loose. When frightened, they flee and can easily
In his best-selling book Fear Less, security andtrample one to death. Yet, horseback riding
threat analysis expert Gavin de Becker writesremains a popular youth sport.
"Unfortunately, when it comes to security, theWhy doesn't the neighbor's 1200 pound horse or
American way has often been to implementhis Great Dane inspire as much fear as his
procedures that are more relevant to assuagingcougar? I think two factors are involved: fear of
public anxiety than they are to reducing risk." Banthe unknown and fear of predators. One of man's
laws are a prime example of an action that maymost primal fears is that of being eaten by a wild
ease anxiety, but fail to make the nation safer.animal, of being the hunted rather than the hunter.
By saying that tame wild cats are "extremelyPolice canine units are so effective in subduing
unpredictable and dangerous creatures," peopleviolent individuals that officers report that criminals
show their lack of understanding of animalare often more afraid of a dog than a gun.
behavior. These statements are wildOffenders are more willing to risk death than a
exaggerations of the reality. Even wild animalsnon-fatal bite from a German Shepherd.
in-situ (i.e. roaming untamed in the wilderness) doHorses and dogs are deeply familiar to us; we've
not behave in a dangerous, unpredictable fashion.lived with them for centuries, watched them on
Every animal has species-specific behaviorTV, read cute and fuzzy stories about them, and
patterns. These behaviors can be learned andassociate them with companionship and service.
understood by the owners of such animals inWhen one happens to attack or kill us, we see it
captivity, especially since they are very similar toas an anomaly.
the behaviors of a domestic cat.We know little of exotic cats through direct
These behaviors are not greatly different fromexperience; for most of us, exposure is limited to
domesticated animals. For example, the pattern ofnature programs emphasizing their killing power
naturally occurring behaviors in wolves andand the occasional sensational news article
domestic dogs is virtually identical. A poorlyannouncing the mauling of some hapless zoo
socialized domestic dog with a careless oremployee. When you think about it, it comes as
un-informed owner can be far more "dangerous"no surprise that we develop a disporportionate
than a serval or a caracal.fear of these animals.
Our society's standard for a safe and lovable petThe text of a failed Oregon ban bill stated "It is
predator seems to be the domestic dog.almost impossible for an exotic animal to adapt to
However, even man's self-proclaimed best friendtraditional household settings" and that "Exotic
has been known to injure and sometimes kill us.animals are by nature wild and dangerous and do
Statistics suggest that between 2 and five millionnot adjust well to captivity." These statements
dog bites occur yearly. In fact, during theare both contradicted by the many thousands of
five-year period between 1989 and 1994,examples of exotic companion animals living
domestic dogs killed 45 children. Why doesn't thishealthy, happy lives with Americans nationwide.
sad figure shock us more deeply?I would challenge anyone who truly believes those
Maybe it has something to do with the fact thatwords to observe my serval Sirocco as he
during a similar length of time, an estimated 4,605greets me with ecstatic purring and rubs against
children were killed by humans (Lindsay, Handbookmy legs when I come home from work, and then
of Applied Dog Behavior and Training).to watch him curl up beside me purring and licking
Approximately 5 children lose their lives everymy face as we watch a movie together. This is
day due to maltreatment and child abuse homicidenot rare; in fact it is typical of the experiences of
(U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect,the majority of exotic cat owners. This cat is as
1995).much a member of my family as the domestic
To further put this in perspective, we must nowdogs and cats you yourself may have lived with
consider the fact that even with the enormousand loved.
number of dog bites each year and the numberThe failed Oregon HB 3065 stated, "This 2003
of fatalities due to dog bites, a child is statisticallyAct being necessary for the immediate
safer in the presence of the average pet dogpreservation of the public peace, health, and
than with its own family! The number of childrensafety, an emergency is declared to exist." There
murdered each year by their own parents andis no emergency. Try to find any evidence of a
guardians overwhelmingly overshadows thepublic health or safety crisis being caused by the
number of people killed by dogs. We ourselvesownership of exotic animals. I assure you that
are the most dangerous and unpredictable animalyou will find none. The number of people in the
on the planet.general public killed by escaped exotic cats in the
Am I saying that servals and other exotic catspast decade, across the entire United States, is
are not dangerous? No, if we define "dangerous"believed to be zero. This includes not only small
as having the potential to cause injury to a humanfelines like servals, caracals, and bobcats but also
being. Every animal can be dangerous, and everylions, tigers, and cougars.
human can be dangerous. One thing I teach myNow turn your attention to how much death and
dog behavior clients is that all dogs have thedestruction has been caused by drunken drivers,
potential to bite. They will show aggression ifparole violators, shoddy building contractors and
placed in the wrong situation, just as even theeven catholic priests. Shouldn't we as a country
most benevolent of humans will react withfocus our efforts on legitimate public safety
violence when sufficiently provoked.threats, rather than discriminating against the safe
However, these cats are certainly no moreand legitimate activities of the citizens?
inherently dangerous than a domestic dog ofThese bills are redundant. There are already laws
comparable size. In fact, they are probably saferin place providing for the criminal prosecution of
than domestic dogs; there has never been athose whose actions (and the actions of their
report of a serval killing a human being, and theiranimals) recklessly endanger the public. Our civil
owners are generally very responsible aboutsystem is already a more than adequate means
keeping them controlled.to punish those whose animals harm or otherwise
Whether a dog, a person, or an exotic catdisturb members of the public and to provide
eventually injures someone depends on anrestitution to those who have been harmed. The
uncertain balance of genetics, temperament,extremely low number of incidents involving
environment, and the unique circumstances theyexotic animals proves the effectiveness of these
find themselves in.current laws.
Horseback riding is an example of a far moreThis article may be reprinted in its entirety only.
hazardous animal-related activity. In fact, manyPermission is not granted to reproduce in edited
stables and equine event centers post signsform or to support the ending of exotic pet
informing patrons that participation in equineownership.
activities is inherently dangerous. According to the