After allegations that the barking during “pet night” fundraising events may have caused the deaths of some animals, the Chattanooga Zoo is banning dogs, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
During the most recent event in December, a muntjac (a small deer) that had been locked out of its shelter suffered a seizure, fell into a koi pond and drowned. Mickey Myers, a veterinarian and member of the zoo board’s executive committee, told the Free Press that the muntjac’s death had lead to the board’s decision to end the events.
“Other zoos [allow pet dogs in zoos], but should they? I can tell you right now this board of directors has said ‘no’ to that,” Myers said.
The Chattanooga Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which does not specifically ban pets in zoos, according to spokesman Steve Feldman.
Neither does the Animal Welfare Act, which is enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, USDA spokesman Dave Sacks told the Free Press that pets in zoos can lead to violations of the act.
“If the dog came into close enough proximity to one or more regulated animals in the zoo, and/or caused any regulated animals behavioral stress or distress, it could be considered a handling violation of the Animal Welfare Act,” Sacks said.
Many zoos ban all pets, with the exception of service dogs. “Pets can bring in germs and parasites,” Denise Wiggs of the Birmingham Zoo told the Free Press. She said zookeepers also try to adhere to strict quarantine requirements with their animals.
The Chattanooga Zoo has been criticized for its policies in the past. PETA’s Debbie Leahy, the director of captive animal rescue and enforcement, complained about the zoo’s lockout events, where animals are purposely locked out of their shelters so they will remain on display – as was the muntjac that died.
“They should never be locked out, especially on bitterly cold evenings,” Leahy told the Free Press last month.
According to WRCBtv.com, in June 2010 a judge banned Darde Long, the zoo’s director, from bringing her dog to work with her after three employees complained that the dog had bitten them. One of the employees required surgery for her bite wound.
The Chattanooga Zoo has also been under scrutiny for other unexplained animal deaths, including that of its mascot, a 42-year-old chimp named Hank, who died unexpectedly late last month. Critics say Chattanooga’s decision to contract the zoo’s management to the nonprofit Friends of the Zoo last November prompted several zookeepers to quit and work for other zoos in order to keep their city benefits and seniority. Shortly after they left, the animals began to die. Hank’s death was the tenth since November. However, necropsies do not show any connections between the deaths.
In the meantime, Robin Derryberry, a zoo spokeswoman and board member of Friends of the Zoo, told the Free Press that the decision to end pet nights is not expected to impact the revenue from fundraising or admissions.
PHOTO: pelican
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Category : Dog-Friendly Attractions &TRAVEL TIPS
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