I would like to address some of the statements I have found on the web and in proposed ban bills portraying servals and other small wild felines as unpredictable and dangerous creatures. This is a clear case of "what you don't know you will fear." First of all, I would like to clarify for everyone that we are talking about tame, hand-raised pets bred in the United States. It's not like you take a trip to Africa, rope yourself a serval, and drag it home hissing and spitting!
In his best-selling book Fear Less, security and threat analysis expert Gavin de Becker writes "Unfortunately, when it comes to security, the American way has often been to implement procedures that are more relevant to assuaging public anxiety than they are to reducing risk." Ban laws are a prime example of an action that may ease anxiety, but fail to make the nation safer.
By saying that tame wild cats are "extremely unpredictable and dangerous creatures," people show their lack of understanding of animal behavior. These statements are wild exaggerations of the reality. Even wild animals in-situ (i.e. roaming untamed in the wilderness) do not behave in a dangerous, unpredictable fashion. Every animal has species-specific behavior patterns. These behaviors can be learned and understood by the owners of such animals in captivity, especially since they are very similar to the behaviors of a domestic cat.
These behaviors are not greatly different from domesticated animals. For example, the pattern of naturally occurring behaviors in wolves and domestic dogs is virtually identical. A poorly socialized domestic dog with a careless or un-informed owner can be far more "dangerous" than a serval or a caracal.
Our society's standard for a safe and lovable pet predator seems to be the domestic dog. However, even man's self-proclaimed best friend has been known to injure and sometimes kill us. Statistics suggest that between 2 and five million dog bites occur yearly. In fact, during the five-year period between 1989 and 1994, domestic dogs killed 45 children. Why doesn't this sad figure shock us more deeply?
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that during a similar length of time, an estimated 4,605 children were killed by humans (Lindsay, Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training). Approximately 5 children lose their lives every day due to maltreatment and child abuse homicide (U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1995).
To further put this in perspective, we must now consider the fact that even with the enormous number of dog bites each year and the number of fatalities due to dog bites, a child is statistically safer in the presence of the average pet dog than with its own family! The number of children murdered each year by their own parents and guardians overwhelmingly overshadows the number of people killed by dogs. We ourselves are the most dangerous and unpredictable animal on the planet.
Am I saying that servals and other exotic cats are not dangerous? No, if we define "dangerous" as having the potential to cause injury to a human being. Every animal can be dangerous, and every human can be dangerous. One thing I teach my dog behavior clients is that all dogs have the potential to bite. They will show aggression if placed in the wrong situation, just as even the most benevolent of humans will react with violence when sufficiently provoked.
However, these cats are certainly no more inherently dangerous than a domestic dog of comparable size. In fact, they are probably safer than domestic dogs; there has never been a report of a serval killing a human being, and their owners are generally very responsible about keeping them controlled.
Whether a dog, a person, or an exotic cat eventually injures someone depends on an uncertain balance of genetics, temperament, environment, and the unique circumstances they find themselves in.
Horseback riding is an example of a far more hazardous animal-related activity. In fact, many stables and equine event centers post signs informing patrons that participation in equine activities is inherently dangerous. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 1218 people died while riding an animal between 1983 and 1994.
Horses have been known to viciously attack and kill their handlers and even people entering their pastures. A single kick from a horse can cause serious injuries or death. Horses are so powerful that even the strongest person stands no chance of restraining one if it is determined to break loose. When frightened, they flee and can easily trample one to death. Yet, horseback riding remains a popular youth sport.
Why doesn't the neighbor's 1200 pound horse or his Great Dane inspire as much fear as his cougar? I think two factors are involved: fear of the unknown and fear of predators. One of man's most primal fears is that of being eaten by a wild animal, of being the hunted rather than the hunter. Police canine units are so effective in subduing violent individuals that officers report that criminals are often more afraid of a dog than a gun. Offenders are more willing to risk death than a non-fatal bite from a German Shepherd.
Horses and dogs are deeply familiar to us; we've lived with them for centuries, watched them on TV, read cute and fuzzy stories about them, and associate them with companionship and service. When one happens to attack or kill us, we see it as an anomaly.
We know little of exotic cats through direct experience; for most of us, exposure is limited to nature programs emphasizing their killing power and the occasional sensational news article announcing the mauling of some hapless zoo employee. When you think about it, it comes as no surprise that we develop a disporportionate fear of these animals.
The text of a failed Oregon ban bill stated "It is almost impossible for an exotic animal to adapt to traditional household settings" and that "Exotic animals are by nature wild and dangerous and do not adjust well to captivity." These statements are both contradicted by the many thousands of examples of exotic companion animals living healthy, happy lives with Americans nationwide.
I would challenge anyone who truly believes those words to observe my serval Sirocco as he greets me with ecstatic purring and rubs against my legs when I come home from work, and then to watch him curl up beside me purring and licking my face as we watch a movie together. This is not rare; in fact it is typical of the experiences of the majority of exotic cat owners. This cat is as much a member of my family as the domestic dogs and cats you yourself may have lived with and loved.
The failed Oregon HB 3065 stated, "This 2003 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, an emergency is declared to exist." There is no emergency. Try to find any evidence of a public health or safety crisis being caused by the ownership of exotic animals. I assure you that you will find none. The number of people in the general public killed by escaped exotic cats in the past decade, across the entire United States, is believed to be zero. This includes not only small felines like servals, caracals, and bobcats but also lions, tigers, and cougars.
Now turn your attention to how much death and destruction has been caused by drunken drivers, parole violators, shoddy building contractors and even catholic priests. Shouldn't we as a country focus our efforts on legitimate public safety threats, rather than discriminating against the safe and legitimate activities of the citizens?
These bills are redundant. There are already laws in place providing for the criminal prosecution of those whose actions (and the actions of their animals) recklessly endanger the public. Our civil system is already a more than adequate means to punish those whose animals harm or otherwise disturb members of the public and to provide restitution to those who have been harmed. The extremely low number of incidents involving exotic animals proves the effectiveness of these current laws.
This article may be reprinted in its entirety only. Permission is not granted to reproduce in edited form or to support the ending of exotic pet ownership.
For information on wild and exotic cats from servals to tigers as pets, visit http://www.exoticcatz.com. The site includes articles on care, behavior, housing, and legal issues as well as species profiles and photos.
This article may be reprinted in its entirety only. Permission is not granted to reproduce in edited form or to support the ending of exotic pet ownership.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Knowing how to feed your betta is fundamental, because doing... Read More
Anyone wanting a new kitten should be a cat lover.... Read More
So you're bringing home that cute little puppy from the... Read More
Peeing on the carpet, knocking you down, or stealing dinner... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
Your dog seems to be driving you up the wall... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you need to do... Read More
Do you want to save money, anxiety for your kitty,... Read More
Many dog owners are bewildered when they hear their dog... Read More
Horse owners who are history buffs may recognize the name... Read More
Meow! Meow! Meow! I bury my head underneath my pillow.... Read More
The most important things in dog training are consistency, keeping... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
Almost all communities in the U.S. require at least one... Read More
The benefits of feeding live food to fish in a... Read More
If your cat has recently decided not to use the... Read More
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from... Read More
You know that cats should always have a supply of... Read More
As we love to have a comfortable place to sleep... Read More
When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they... Read More
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More
Continued from part two.Epilepsy/seizure disorderWhen your Boxer is between 2... Read More
Throughout the course of my life, I've encountered my own... Read More
What is Separation Anxiety?When you leave the house, it is... Read More
One of the best parts of the day for any... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..If you decide you want a purebred, make sure it's... Read More
As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More
Thanks to Disney's Motion Picture 'Finding Nemo,' almost everybody is... Read More
Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More
These days, it's hard to know what decisions are the... Read More
A pet can be as important a member of the... Read More
Have a dog lover on your gift list? Want to... Read More
For most cat owners, training their cat to use the... Read More
As overwhelming as picking out a pet bird can be,... Read More
Most dogs live between ten and seventeen years. The relationship... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
Cute cat names? Max is popular, Lady a favorite for... Read More
This is general information on Discus, a member of the... Read More
One of the reasons I strongly encourage horse owners to... Read More
General Info.Brine shrimps, or artemia, are a zooplankton used mainly... Read More
Parrots are becoming more popular as pets with each passing... Read More
Newer doesn't always mean better.Adopting an older dog may be... Read More
So, you've got yourself a pregnant cat.Was it a stray... Read More
Dog obedience training begins with the owner. There are several... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
Attention breeders, livestock owners and pet lovers! *Pets looking for... Read More
Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not... Read More
"Your cat has feline diabetes." If this is your vet's... Read More
Many people consider their dog to be part of their... Read More
What is Canine Infectious Hepatitis?The word hepatitis refers to an... Read More
Pet |