From security cameras to freezers and hot tubs, exotic pets have been found in unexpected places in Alabama’s Black Belt region. And they pose a serious health risk to people and other animals. On a recent morning, an owner in Sumter County released his pet tiger, Caesar, into a fenced area of his backyard to cool off in a wading pool. According to an affidavit by an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Conservation Enforcement Officer, the tiger escaped its enclosure, attacked a neighbor’s dog and fatally mauled an 84-year-old woman working in her yard before the owner recaptured it. This was not an isolated incident. Since at least 2019, there have been 10 incidents involving tigers, lions, bears, alligators and primates in the Black Belt. The number of exotic pets has grown exponentially due to relaxed ownership laws, the popularity of private game farms, and the purchase of animals from traveling exhibitors and online retailers. These animals are a threat to people and other animals, and their presence in the Black Belt is causing a range of problems. The Alabama Department of Public Health has warned that these animals can carry diseases that can be transmitted to people, including rabies, tuberculosis and salmonella. They can also be dangerous to livestock and pets, and their presence can disrupt the ecosystem. .
Exotic Pets Overrun Alabama’s Black Belt And Pose Health, Safety Risks
