Nev. senator: Chimp escape shows need for pet law

By The Associated Press
Monday, July 16, 2012

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The escape of two chimpanzees from their cage in a rural southern Nevada neighborhood illustrates the need for a state law regulating the keeping of wild and exotic animals as pets, a lawmaker says.

State Sen. Michael Roberson, a Las Vegas Republican, says he’ll propose legislation during the 2013 Legislature to prohibit most dangerous wild animals from being kept in people’s backyards and basements.

The push comes after two chimps named Buddy and C.J. escaped last week from their 800 square-foot compound Thursday outside Las Vegas. Buddy, a male, was eventually shot and killed by a police officer after jumping atop cars and a police cruiser and veering toward a gathering crowd of onlookers.

C.J., a female, was tranquilized and returned to her enclosure.