02-25-2009, 04:14 PM
The chimp, Travis, who was recently shot dead during a rampage, was raised in a private home that had been converted into a facility for him. It was not an ordinary house and his owners had training in the care of adult chimps. They had been medicating him for an anxiety disorder under the supervision of a vet.
There are many such facilities in the U.S. because of all the chimps used in movie and television productions and in circuses. Chimps no longer look very cute and get very aggressive after their first 8 years or so. When they are no longer suitable for the entertainment industry, the choices come down to dumping them in zoos (overcrowded and under-financed), euthanizing them or finding homes like Sandra Herold's in Connecticut.
There's already a law in Connecticut -- and in most states -- preventing people from taking wild animals as pets without special permits. 20 states have outright bans on keeping primates in private homes. Preventing their transport across state lines is an unnecessary step that is likely to push the line towards euthanizing them.
The appropriate legislation would ban the use of wild animals for entertainment purposes without posting a bond and making arrangements for their care when they retire from the business.
There are many such facilities in the U.S. because of all the chimps used in movie and television productions and in circuses. Chimps no longer look very cute and get very aggressive after their first 8 years or so. When they are no longer suitable for the entertainment industry, the choices come down to dumping them in zoos (overcrowded and under-financed), euthanizing them or finding homes like Sandra Herold's in Connecticut.
There's already a law in Connecticut -- and in most states -- preventing people from taking wild animals as pets without special permits. 20 states have outright bans on keeping primates in private homes. Preventing their transport across state lines is an unnecessary step that is likely to push the line towards euthanizing them.
The appropriate legislation would ban the use of wild animals for entertainment purposes without posting a bond and making arrangements for their care when they retire from the business.