Connecticut holds 1st exotic animal amnesty day

Owners of exotic animals in Connecticut have been given a day of amnesty to turn in their illegally-owned pets.

The state Department of Environmental Protection's hosted its first exotic amnesty day Saturday at the Bridgeport Zoo.

Deputy Commissioner Susan Frechette said owners turned over at least 135 animals, most of them exotic reptiles. The collection included 15 boa constrictors, 15 pythons, 7 alligators, a small monkey, a rattlesnake and an anaconda.

Officials asked about the animals' diets, medical history and temperament but didn't ask the owners their names.

The event comes five months after a privately owned chimpanzee escaped from his home and mauled a Stamford woman.

It's illegal to own large, potentially dangerous wild animals in Connecticut.