Friday, April 18, 2014

ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM


Elephant in the Living Room is a documentary about how in America in most states it is legal (I repeat LEGAL) to buy exotic animals. Not only is it legal to buy these animals but one doesn't need to have a license. There is little to no state or federal regulations on those who own these animals.

I watched this documentary on Netflix. One of the moments that blew my mind was the emergency 911 call of a full grown lion on a interstate chasing cars. What makes this even more crazy is they captured the lion. They brought the lion back to it's "owner". Then Tim Harrison of public safety animal rescue says they can't take the lions from the owner until he decide he wants to let them go. I found this to be insane. The moment the lion escaped it becomes a public safety issue. How can it be they don't have the legal recourse to take the lions from him?

Over the years I have seen reports about how exotic animals can be bought in America. I have seen reports of how more tigers exist in America in private hands than they do in the wild in India. It is a lack of proper state and/or federal law making to have so if one owns a dog you need to have a license but if you buy a lion or a venomous viper you don't need one. You don't have to register the animal. I wonder when natural disasters happen will these animals get free? Has this happened?

I suggest you watch this documentary if you want to watch an interesting, sad and dramatic story about two captive lions. Or watch an interesting story of Tim Harrison fight to protect these animals and the general public from them. Or if you want to learn more about the dangers of people owning animals they can't control or can overwhelm them.


The trailer for Elephant in the Living Room.

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