Letter: Reward of owning big cats greater than risk

Friday, Aug. 4, 2006 | 7:21 a.m.

I would like to thank the Las Vegas Sun for the wonderful Aug. 1 article by Brendan Buhler headlined, "Do exotic pets still have a place in a not-so-wild Wild West?"

What a refreshing change to see a balanced article on the private ownership of exotic cats instead of the usual hype describing them as kid-eaters that need to be banned from private ownership in the U.S.

Only 16 people were fatally mauled in the U.S. by big cats between 1990 and 2006 - one death per year. None of the deaths was the result of the exotic cats running loose; all fatalities happened to people who were voluntarily on the property where the animals were kept. The majority were handlers or owners who accepted the small risk.

I own big cats in Pahrump, and I also help with training cats for a magic show. We love these majestic creatures and see them as our children. The best form of relaxation for me is to go to a tiger cage and brush their hair, give them their treat - a milk bottle - or take one out for a walk on a leash (inside a fenced area).

Please publish more articles on the wonderful bonding relationship captive exotic cats and humans often form.

Zuzana Kukol, Pahrump