A recently published CNN article identifies the danger and cruelty of keeping wild animals as pets
On February 12, CNN published an article that detailed the discovery of a pet tiger in a Houston, Texas home. They write that a "concerned citizen claimed to have entered an abandoned Houston, Texas home to smoke pot and found a tiger." Authorities were at first suspicious about the validity of the report, but, unfortunately, the report turned out to be true.
People consider wild animals as "cool" and "trendy" pets, attempt to domestic them without proper knowledge of their needs, and end up abandoning them due to the lack of resources needed to properly care for them. Keeping wild animals as pets is an act of animal cruelty and is never acceptable.
A wild tiger is well camouflaged by grass (location unknown)
Ben Williamson, Programs Director, World Animal Protection US said:
“It should be obvious that tigers do not make good pets, but all too often we hear stories of wild animals trapped in small cages and other completely inadequate settings. This case clearly demonstrates why keeping wild animals as pets is cruel and those responsible should be held accountable.
Whether they are captured from the wild or bred in captivity wild animals suffer at every stage of their miserable lives when kept captive. These animals deserve space to roam their natural habitats, the right food and stimulation.
Big cats like tigers are not pets, or entertainers; they are dangerous wild animals with distinct welfare needs. Keeping a wild animal is cruel, a danger to the community and can threaten the survival of the species. There are currently more tigers in captivity in the US than there are in the wild.”
Keeping a wild animal is cruel, a danger to the community and can threaten the survival of the species.