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Background Wild animals are animals that live in nature. They

can be as rare as a snow leopard or as common as a tree squirrel.
Although many states have laws that prohibit owning a wild
animal, thousands of people in the United States keep animals such
as wolves, pythons, crocodiles, and bears as pets. Some people want
to make it illegal to have these kinds of pets. They argue that these
animals pose a safety and health risk to
people and the environment. Others
claim that with proper care, wild
animals can safely live in captivity.

WILD ANIMALS
AREN’T PETS
LET PEOPLE OWN
EXOTIC ANIMALS
Editorial by USA TODAY Commentary by Zuzana Kukol

SETTING A PURPOSE As you read, focus on the facts and

examples used to justify the points in the editorial by USA
TODAY and the commentary by Zuzana Kukol, president and
co-founder of Responsible Exotic Animal Ownership. Think
about which points are convincing to you and which are not.

Wild Animals Aren’t Pets

Editorial by USA TODAY

I n many states, anyone with a few hundred dollars and a

(bg), (b) ©Siede Preis/Getty Images; (c) ©Bhushan Patil

yen1 for the unusual can own a python, a black bear or

a big cat as a “pet.” For $8,000 a baby white tiger can be yours.
Sometimes, wild animals are even offered free: “Siberian
tigers looking for a good home,” read an ad in the Animal
Finder’s Guide.
Photography/Getty Images

Until recently, though, few people knew how easy it is to

own a wild animal as a pet. Or how potentially tragic.

1
yen (y≈n): a strong desire or inclination.

Compare Texts 223

 After Terry Thompson set his exotic animals free in Zanesville, Ohio, a sign on an
expressway warned motorists that the animals were on the loose in the area.

But just as a 2007 raid on property owned by football star

10 Michael Vick laid bare the little known and cruel world of
dogfighting, a story that unfolded in a small Ohio city recently
opened the public’s eyes to the little known, distressing world
of “exotic” pets. We’re not suggesting that people who own exotic
these animals are cruel. Many surely love them. But public (Δg-z≤t´Δk) adj.
Something that is
safety, common sense and compassion for animals all dictate exotic is from another
the same conclusion: Wild animals are not pets. part of the world.
If that weren’t already obvious, it became more so when dictate
collector Terry Thompson opened the cages on his Zanesville (dΔk´t∑t´) v. To dictate
farm, springing dozens of lions, tigers, bears and other wild something is to
require it to be done
20 creatures before killing himself. With animals running loose or decided.
and darkness closing in, authorities arrived with no good
(bg) ©Siede Preis/Getty Images; (t) ©Getty Images

choices to protect the public. They shot all but a handful of the
animals as the nation watched, transfixed2 and horrified.
Owners of “exotic” animals claim they rarely maim or kill.
But is the death rate really the point?

2
transfixed (tr√ns-fΔkst´): motionless, as with terror, amazement, or other
strong emotion.

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 In 2009, a 2-year-old Florida girl was strangled by a
12-foot-long Burmese python, a family pet that had gotten out
of its aquarium. That same year, a Connecticut woman was
mauled and disfigured by a neighbor’s pet chimp. Last year, a
30 caretaker was mauled to death by a bear owned by a Cleveland
collector. In Zanesville, it was the animals themselves,
including 18 rare Bengal tigers, who became innocent victims.
Trade in these beautiful creatures thrives in the USA,
where thousands are bred and sold through classified ads
or at auctions centered in Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee.
There’s too little to stop it.
A 2003 federal law, which forbids the interstate transport
of certain big cats, has stopped much of the trade on the
Internet, according to the Humane Society of the U.S. But
40 monkeys, baboons and other primates were left out, and
measures to plug that hole have twice stalled in Congress.
Only collectors who exhibit animals need a federal license.
Those, such as Thompson, who keep the animals as “pets”
are left alone, unless states intervene.3 And many do not.
Eight—Alabama, Idaho, Ohio, Nevada, North Carolina, South
Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin—have no rules, and
in 13 others the laws are lax,4 according to Born Free USA,
which has lobbied for years for stronger laws.
After the Cleveland bear-mauling, then-Ohio Gov. Ted
menagerie
50 Strickland issued an emergency order to ban possession of (m∂-n√j´∂-r∏) n.
wild animals. While it exempted 5 current owners, Thompson A menagerie is a
might have been forced to give up his menagerie because collection of live wild
animals, often kept
he had been cited for animal cruelty. We’ll never know. for showing to the
Strickland’s successor, John Kasich, let the order expire. public.

3
intervene (Δn´t∂r-v∏n´): to come between so as to block or change an action.
4
lax (l√ks): not rigorous, strict, or firm.
5
exempted (Δg-z≈mpt´∂d): freed or excused from following a law or duty which
others must obey.

Wild Animals Aren’t Pets 225

 eBook

EL A RI.6.8
Trace and Evaluate an Argument ELD PI.6.6, PI.6.7

The editorial you have just read is an argument, which is a carefully stated
claim supported by reasons and evidence. An argument is made up of two
parts. The claim is the writer’s position on a problem or issue. The support is
the reasons and evidence that help prove the claim. Reasons are statements
made to explain a belief. Evidence is a specific reference, such as a fact,
statistic, quotation, or opinion that is used to support a claim. Support in an
argument is usually for or against an issue; it is used to justify a viewpoint.
To trace, or follow the reasoning, of an argument:
t
Identify the claim, or the writer’s position on the issue.
t
Look for reasons and specific types of evidence (facts, statistics,
quotations, or opinions) that support the claim.
t
Identify counterarguments, which are statements that address
opposing viewpoints.
To evaluate an argument, or decide whether it makes sense and is
convincing:
t
Determine whether the evidence supports the claim in a logical way.
t
Make sure ideas are presented in a way that makes sense and is clear.
t
Determine whether the counterarguments are adequately addressed.
As you analyze the editorial, look at how the author constructs and
supports the argument.

EL A RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.5, RI.6.8

Analyzing the Text ELD PI.6.6, PI.6.7, PI.6.8, PII.6.1

Cite Text Evidence Support your responses with evidence from the text.

Identify What is the claim of the editorial? Where is it found?

Summarize Reread lines 17–23. What specific evidence is used in this
paragraph to support the editorial’s claim?

Interpret Reread lines 24–32. What counterargument does the author
address?

Summarize Reread lines 37–48. What legal issues make it possible for
people to own exotic pets?

Evaluate Do you think the writer’s argument is convincing? Cite reasons
and evidence from the text that you feel were the weakest or the
strongest.

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 Let People Own Exotic Animals
by Zuzana Kukol

T he recent tragedy in Zanesville, Ohio brought back the

question of whether private ownership of wild and exotic
animals should be legal.
The simple answer is yes. Responsible private ownership
of exotic animals should be legal if animal welfare is taken
care of. Terry Thompson didn’t represent the typical
responsible owner. He had a criminal record and animal abuse
charges. What Thompson did was selfish and insane; we
cannot regulate insanity. regulate
10 People keep exotic animals for commercial1 reasons and as (r≈g´y∂-l∑t´) v. If you
regulate something,
pets. Most exotic animals—such as big cats, bears or apes—are you control or direct
in commercial, federally inspected facilities. These animals it according to a rule,
are born in captivity, and not “stolen” from the wild. Captive principle, or law.
breeding eliminates the pressure on wild populations, and also
serves as a backup in case the animals go extinct.2
(t), (bbg) ©Siede Preis/Getty Images, (b) ©Sue Ogrocki/AP Images

1
commercial (k∂-mûr´sh∂l): of or relating to commerce or trade.
2
extinct (Δk-stΔngkt´): no longer existing or living.

Let People Own Exotic Animals 227

 Dangers from exotic animals are low. On average in the
United States, only 3.25 people per year are killed by captive
big cats, snakes, elephants and bears. Most of these fatalities
are owners, family members, friends and trainers voluntarily
20 on the property where the animals were kept. Meanwhile,
traffic accidents kill about 125 people per day.
If we have the freedom to choose what car to buy, where
to live, or what domestic animal to have, why shouldn’t we
have the same freedom to choose what species of wild or
exotic animal to own and to love?
Would the Ohio situation be any different if the animals
were owned by a government and their caretaker released
them? Is this really about private ownership, or is it about
certain people’s personal issues with exotics in captivity?
30 If society overreacts and bans exotics because of actions of
a few deranged3 individuals, then we need to ban kids, as that
is the only way to totally stop child abuse, and we need to ban
humans, because that is the only way to stop murder. Silly, isn’t it?

COLLABORATIVE DISCUSSION With a partner, discuss whether

the editorial or the commentary most closely matches your point
of view. Point out specific passages or ideas in each text with
which you strongly agree or disagree.

3
deranged (dΔ-r∑nj´d): mentally unbalanced; insane.

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EL A RI.6.4
Analyze the Meaning of Words ELD PI.6.6, PI.6.7

and Phrases
When a writer makes an argument for or against an issue, he or she will
often use persuasive techniques to convince readers to see things their way.
Persuasive techniques are methods used to influence others to adopt a
certain opinion or belief or to act a certain way.
Persuasive techniques can make a strong argument even more powerful.
They can also be used to disguise flaws in weak arguments. One persuasive
technique that writers use is loaded language. Loaded language consists
of words and phrases with strongly positive or negative connotations.
(Connotations are meanings that are associated with a word beyond its
dictionary meaning.)
To help you analyze loaded language:
t
Look for words in the text that have strong impact. Think about how
these words make you feel.
t
Ask yourself if the argument is strong without the use of these words.
As you analyze “Let People Own Exotic Animals,” look for examples of
loaded language.

EL A RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3, RI.6.4

Analyzing the Text ELD PI.6.6, PI.6.7

Cite Text Evidence Support your responses with evidence from the text.

Identify What is the claim of the commentary? Where is it found?

Summarize Reread lines 10–15. According to the writer, where are most
exotic animals kept and what is the benefit of breeding them?

Analyze Reread lines 16–21. What specific evidence does the writer use
to support the argument that people should be allowed to own exotic
animals? Explain how the evidence is or is not directly related to the claim.

Interpret Review lines 30–33. What examples of loaded language do you
find? What are the positive or negative associations of these words?

Let People Own Exotic Animals 229

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COMPARE TEXTS
EL A RI.6.8, RI.6.9
Compare and Contrast: Arguments ELD PI.6.6, PI.6.7

When you compare and contrast two arguments on the same issue,
you analyze how each argument is presented. First, you trace and evaluate
each argument: identify its claim, follow its support and reasoning, and decide
whether it is convincing. Then you determine how each author’s viewpoint or
attitude toward the issue differs.
To compare and contrast persuasive writing texts:
t
Look at the evidence each writer provide as support—facts, examples,
statistics. Does the evidence support the claim in a logical way?
t
Determine if the writers are trying to be persuasive by appealing to your
emotions, to your logic, or to both. Look for words with strong positive
or negative connotations.

EL A RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.4, RI.6.6, RI.6.8, RI.6.9,

Analyzing the Text W.6.1a–b, W.6.7 ELD PI.6.6, PI.6.7, PI.6.10, PI.6.11

Cite Text Evidence Support your responses with evidence from the texts.

Compare Compare each writer’s claim and the kinds of evidence that
support it. Does each author include enough evidence to support
the claim?

Evaluate Examine each text and identify examples of loaded language.
For each text, tell whether the author’s word choices are effective and why.

Identify Reread lines 4–9 of “Let People Own Exotic Animals.” What
counterargument does the author address?

Critique Which argument do you think is more authoritative? Why?

PERFORMANCE TASK
Writing Activity: Argument Write t
Next, decide whether you would or
an argument telling whether or would not own this animal as a pet.
not you would own a particular t
Then draft your essay, starting with
exotic animal and why. a clearly stated claim.
t
Use your research notes to provide
t
First, conduct research on owning
evidence that supports your claim.
a specific exotic animal. Take notes
on the care, safety, and feeding of
this animal.

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