English 111 Editorial Article

SHOULD WILD ANIMALS BE KEPT AS PETS

9/6/12

Eng.111

Professor Steve Brandon

Con Side

            Many believe that wild animals belong, well, in the wild. Due to the fact that many wild pets like pythons, chimps and bears attacked their caretakers and either caused them serious injury or killed them. People not only worry about the owners who have these “pets” but for others as well. A few years back a man named Terry Thompson owned a Zanesville farm where he kept exotic animals. He committed suicide but before doing so he let out dozens of tigers, bears, and lions. When police arrived they had no other plan but to kill the animals. Only a few where left alive. Like USA Today says: “Owners of "exotic" animals claim they rarely maim or kill. But is the death rate really the point?”

Pro Side

I believe that people should own exotic pets. When responding to the Terry Thompson situation, USA Today said that “Terry Thompson didn't represent the typical responsible owner”.  They also say that keeping exotic animals while in captivity and breeding them is a good back up plan just in case the animal goes extinct. It also says that there are more deaths from cars accidents rather than animal accidents.  USA Today also states that since people can decide what car they want or where they want to live that they shouldn’t be banned from choosing what they want as a pet whether it being a regular household pet or exotic.