In light of the recent story where an exotic animal owner freed his dangerous animals before committing suicide, many people are questioning whether or not exotic animals should be allowed as pets at all.  This is a reasonable question, since animals like lions and tigers can be extremely dangerous to humans and other animals alike.  If let loose in our urban world, they can cause tremendous fear and damage, as we saw the other day.

When I was a teenager, I lived with my grandparents on their exotic animal farm.  Though they had nothing the size of a tiger, there were many animals there who were capable of causing severe damage and even death to people should they get the opportunity.  While the potential for harm was always there, the learning experiences for us and for the public were tremendous.  The animals on this farm were used to teach others about the different animals in our world, expanding the minds of children and adults alike.By releasing his animals, that man did a terrible and irresponsible thing.  It is sad that he felt he had to choose the path he did.  However, this is one single act among years of exotic animal ownership here in the United States.  What one man did should not determine the rights of the masses.

Responsible, careful ownership of exotic animals can do more for us in the way of education and preservation than banning them altogether.  Let us work together to create safe, nurturing environments for these animals and educate others on how to responsibly care for them.