LV woman gets OK to keep exotic pets

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2000 | 11:13 a.m.

Monica Riddell's neighbors weren't all that crazy about Emma. But when Shadow, Molly, Buddy Irvin and CJ came along, enough was enough.

Now homeowners who live near the exotic animal keeper are wondering if any other creatures will move into their rural northwest neighborhood to join Riddell's crew of big cats and primates.

The Clark County Commission said Wednesday the answer is no. But the 4-2 ruling coincided with its decision to grant Riddell a use permit that allows her to keep leopards Emma and Shadow, Molly the monkey and chimps Buddy and CJ.

At the same meeting, the commission postponed a decision on a proposed 120-acre exotic animal sanctuary the nonprofit organization Keepers of the Wild hopes to build in Moapa.

As Riddell left the commission chambers Wednesday morning, tears of excitement filled her eyes. Her hands trembling, Riddell said she was headed home to hug the pets she came so close to losing.

Left behind were a clan of neighbors miffed that the commission would allow leopards on a half-acre parcel tucked in a cul-de-sac and the animal experts who agree with them.

"We thought we were being tolerant," said neighbor Brad Hutchinson, who has put his home up for sale. "But it got to the point where enough was enough, and we had to take a stand.

"At the start, this was about an exotic animal. Now a wild animal compound is all you can call it."

When Riddell -- a professional animal handler with 15 years experience -- moved into her home two years ago, Emma accompanied her.

She said before she built her custom house adjacent to 200 acres of open Bureau of Land Management property, she spoke to her neighbors about Emma, who has starred in television shows and educational seminars.

A year ago she acquired Shadow, a jet-black leopard. More recently she took in the monkey and two baby chimpanzees.

The animals are kept in secure cages that exceed requirements set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The cats are declawed, and the primates are inside most of the time.

Riddell's attorney, Robert Gronauer, said no complaints have been filed with the county's Animal Control Division. In fact, he said, neighbors often visit Riddell to have their pictures taken with Emma and Shadow.

"Neighbors have been aware of the animals," Gronauer said. "They have asked to have their pictures taken with them. These animals have had significant human contact."

Residents argued that no security system is foolproof and their safety is in jeopardy. But commissioners siding with Riddell said residents have more to fear with indigenous animals, such as mountain lions, coyotes and foxes that roam the desert.

"There are things far more dangerous than a declawed animal in a cage," said Commissioner Erin Kenny.

Neighbors who argued Riddell broke the law by housing the animals for two years without a permit were offended that Kenny compared their concerns about how the animals might affect property values and their safety to her exceeding the speed limit.

"She's a lawbreaker," Kenny said of Riddell. "This morning I went over the speed limit so I'm a lawbreaker too."

Juliana Smith, who lives about 1,000 feet from Riddell's home, said residents will continue to fight their neighbor.

"I don't know how fearful people are, but it has to be in the back of everyone's mind," Smith said. "I can't say people are petrified and locking their back doors, but they think about it when they let their kids go horseback riding or four-wheeling."

Riddell declined to be interviewed without her attorney's permission. Gronauer did not return repeated phone messages Wednesday.

Commissioners Mary Kincaid and Myrna Williams said they were reluctant to grant Riddell a permit but changed their minds when they witnessed Riddell's professionalism and saw the security and cleanliness of the cages.

While their opinions are shared by many of Riddell's close neighbors, some were hardly comforted by the board members' statements.

Author Alan Green and Richard Farinato, director of the Humane Society of the United States' captive wildlife protective program, are taking part in a Humane Society convention in Las Vegas this week. The two animal experts said the battle over private ownership of exotic animals is nothing new.

Las Vegas is known for the number of big cats residents own. They are popular commodities because of the shows on the Las Vegas Strip and the increasing number of movies being filmed in Clark County.

But both men agree that no matter how professional and competent a trainer is, big cats housed in neighborhoods pose a risk to residents. Every year, mistakes are made by the most experienced animal handlers.

"Even when a leopard is de-clawed, it is capable of snapping the neck of a small child," Farinato said. "They're lightning-quick, muscle-bound and unpredictable. To have them around neighbors and kids and dogs is a loaded gun; it's a tragedy waiting to happen."

During this week's convention, the USDA is expected to denounce private ownership of big cats because of the accidents that occur annually.

Green said the current exotic pet trend is owning a tiger. It's considered chic. Since the advent of the Internet, it's simple to acquire a tiger, and while they used to sell for thousands of dollars, they now go for as little as $300.

Even when the animals are raised from the time they are cubs they, like domestic pets, are capable of losing their tempers.

"When your poodle snaps, you have a bite on your leg," said Green, author of the recently released book "Animal Underworld." "When your leopard snaps, you're dead."

Joseph Boteilho, Clark County's animal control manager, said the most common exotic animals owned by residents in the county are mountain lions. He guessed that a couple dozen people own them.

But, he said, while 860 residents reported dog bites last year, there was not one call related to injuries caused by an exotic animal.

Boteilho said he sees all types of habitats and security systems Clark County residents use to house their animals. He has witnessed everything from bears in stock trailers to big cats in air-conditioned cages equipped with video cameras.

Riddell's compound is in the upper third when it comes to security, he said.

"There is a good quality of care there with the animals, and we have no problem with it," he said.