Panel Backs Ban On Chimpanzees

Prompted by a vicious attack in Stamford, lawmakers on a key committee were headed Tuesday toward passing a bill banning the ownership of potentially dangerous animals -- including chimpanzees.

A majority of legislators voting on the judiciary committee had approved the bill Tuesday afternoon, but legislators are still permitted to vote until 5 p.m. under legislative rules.

The bill would ban the private ownership of a huge variety of animals, including gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, kangaroos, wolverines, hyenas, elephants, alligators, crocodiles, rattlesnakes, cobras, pythons, and others. The measure would also ban the ownership of rhinoceros and hippopotamus.

The measure was prompted by an attack in February against 55-year-old Charla Nash, who was critically injured and is now recovering at the Cleveland Clinic."
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