October 18, 2011, Fifty-six exotic animals were released into Ohio by their private owners. In the hours that followed, according to US reports, forty-nine magnificent exotic animals were shot dead as they ran around terrorizing surrounding neighborhoods, attacking nearby horses, lunging at local sheriffs. and they were running across the highway to freedom. Among the animals killed in the Zanesville massacre were eighteen Bengal tigers, seventeen lions, six black bears, two grizzly bears, three mountain lions, two wolves, and one baboon, an endangered species. Another cat killed a monkey, while another monkey, carrying the herpes B virus, fatal to humans, was never found (ABC News, 2011). All of this could have been avoided and, in some cases, still can be. Today I'm going to talk about the dangers of owning exotic animals – not just the dangers to humans, but even more so, the dangers to animals, and I hope I'll persuade you not to own any exotic animals as personal pets, and to also support the movement to ensure that there are laws that also prevent such actions. I will describe the reasoning behind the dangers, the most sought after exotic animals, the dangers that come with them, and more importantly the lack of laws protecting animals and the public. There has always been a fascination with exotic animals – beyond visiting the zoo. They're cute, cuddly, unbearably adorable – who wouldn't want to snuggle up with an adorable little bear? The fascination, the desire, the need to have the best, nastiest, cutest, most exotic pet is understood – but it should As Dr. Julio Correa says, “people don't seem fully understand the health and safety risks associated with owning an exotic animal.” Yes, of course... middle of paper ... they are not suitable as pets. » (Correa, 2010). A Life Sentence states that “federal oversight of exotic animal ownership in the United States is minimal. In fact, there is no federal law that regulates or prohibits the keeping of exotic animals as pets. Additionally, A Life Sentence reports that "laws differ from state to state as to the type of regulation imposed" and that "there may be a ban, a licensing requirement, or no regulation at all" (A Life Sentence, 2009). Ultimately, it is up to us as people to make the decision not to turn exotic animals into pets. Although cute, cuddly and seemingly welcoming, these magnificent wild animals deserve to be exactly that: beautiful wild animals. They deserve this right – and it eliminates the danger of keeping them as pets – not only to their owners, to our families, to our neighbors, but also to the animal...