Blog Topic #1

I believe Mr. Buwalda's death was traumatizing to the community. Seeing as he resides in a rural community, the law does not state keeping large animals in captivity is illegal. However, many are trying to appeal to have a law restricting residence of raisng exotic animals in their backyard. Mr. Buwalda has been keeping animals for years and he kept his feline friends in a professional cage which contains glass, steel bars, and was made out of concrete. He has been raising animals for numerous years, since he previously has provided his animals to a zoo. It is unfortunate that Mr. Buwalda died in the cage while feeding his tiger. The carelessness and his actions lead to his death.

Mr. Buwalda has compassion and love for his animals. His neighbors paints a portrait of him with his large feline animals as if they were his close friends. This symbolizes how much dedication he takes to raise his animals. Some believe he does not communicate to the human race as well as to his exotic animals. Not only Mr. Buwalda keeps tigers, panthers and cougars, but he also keeps deer and other roaming animals at one point as well said Constable Carlson. This enforces how Mr. Buwalda has previous knowledge how to raise wild animals.

The policeman who was interviewed described how he did not feel he was in any serious danger at that time, unless the tiger was released out of its cage. Although the animals were kept in zoo-like cages, I believe these exotic animals should not be allowed to be kept in residential areas. These animals can be potentially harmful to humans and can attack without warning. I believe these animals should be given to local zoos where they have more professionals handling the tigers. Because humans cannot predict the animal's motives, there is a sense of danger and vulnerability.

It is not fair to both the animals nor to the residents to live in these conditions. Animals should not be held captive as they were born to live in the wild in the open forests and not in cages. Residence within the town has a potential risk of a tiger, a panther, and/or a cougar roaming at night. Mr. Rawson who lived in the vicinity of Mr. Buwalda has heard the growl of his animals before. This is not fair to others living in the neighborhood as animal noises might be distracting and irritable.

I think that this story provides awareness to pet owners and to residents to stay away from large animals as they are unpredictable.