Tiger’s Death Shows Big Cats Are a Big Problem

Re “Trackers Kill Tiger in Ventura County,” Feb. 24: Lions and tigers in the suburbs. It’s not as unusual as you think. Wednesday’s shooting of an escaped tiger is just the most recent tragic, and preventable, incident involving privately owned big cats.

One day after California courts found John Weinhart guilty on 56 of 61 charges stemming from one of the most heinous animal cruelty discoveries, which uncovered 58 frozen tiger cub carcasses and the decomposing remains of more than 30 other big cats, authorities shot and killed a 425-pound tiger loose in the hills of Simi Valley.

Sadly, violent, often fatal incidents involving privately owned big cats are occurring at an alarming rate across the country. Last year alone, 44 people were killed or injured by privately owned big cats.

It is estimated that there are between 10,000 and 20,000 big cats in private ownership in the U.S., and there are no federal regulations banning this practice. Half of these are tigers -- many more than remain in the wild. These animals are bred, and then sold several times throughout their lives of misery, exploitation and deprivation.

Tragic incidents will continue unless we end the private ownership of dangerous wild animals. In 2003, Congress enacted legislation to end the interstate commerce in big cats as pets. Local and state governments must also bar the keeping of these animals, and ensure adequate enforcement of existing laws.

Kim K. Haddad DVM

Captive Wild Animal

Protection Coalition

San Carlos, Calif.

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It was not a surprise to learn that state Fish and Game Department trackers killed the tiger, for they always operate devoid of science or compassion in order to fulfill their unofficial mission: When in doubt, kill.

Bill Dyer

Venice