Jacksonville Animal Attack Lawyer

Endangered by Exotic Pets

More than ever, people consider a pet to be a member of the family, lavishing them with toys and other luxuries that tally into the billions of dollars annually. Along with the increase in spending on pet-related items, a strange parallel development has arisen. Some, now bored with traditional pets, have begun to keep “exotic pets,” regardless of the dangers such ownership may pose.

This status-driven escalation of pet ownership has led to a situation where untrained individuals are attempting to care for animals that have not been domesticated through breeding and tradition. Not only do many of these people lack proper training, but they also fail to implement appropriate safety precautions. While the public is largely aware that people are frequently subject to attack by dogs, they remain unaware that exotic pets can pose a substantial danger.

Some incidents involving “exotic pets”:

• An 80-year old petting zoo worker was called into work to help with a bear that had escaped from his cage, and when he got out of his truck, he was mauled by the bear.
• A deer kept by an elderly Iowa couple as a pet attacked them and their injuries were severe enough to require hospitalization for both.
• A high school senior was tragically killed by a Siberian tiger that was part of a photo-op for her senior portrait.

Exotic pet owners are responsible for preventing their pets from causing injury to others, just as dog owners are.

Speak with a Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a family member has been injured due to an exotic pet owner’s negligence, contact Jacksonville animal attack lawyer, Donald Guthrie, at 904-296-1088.