STORM WATCH

Winter storm watch issued for parts of New Jersey ahead of this weekend's storm

Sen. Bramnick renews push for harsher penalties for zoo trespassers after Cohanzick Zoo tiger incident

A viral video shows a woman hopping over one of two fences surrounding a tiger at the Cohanzick Zoo. After getting too close, she backs away.

Amanda Lee

Aug 27, 2024, 12:24 AM

Updated 164 days ago

Share:

Proposed legislation is resurfacing after a woman approached a tiger enclosure at a Bridgeton zoo.
A viral video shows a woman hopping over one of two fences surrounding a tiger at the Cohanzick Zoo. After getting too close, she backs away. The woman was identified as 24-year-old Zyair Dennis who was charged with trespassing and given two ordinances on climbing fences at a zoo.
In response to this incident, state Sen. Jon Bramnick brought attention to his proposed bill which would call for more consequences for those who trespass in zoos, charging them with a disorderly person's offense.
"A disorderly person's offense is an offense that normally comes with probation or a fine. I think if you do it the second time then maybe you should go into a cell, kind of a cage, just like the animals,” Bramnick told News 12.
The bill was introduced several years ago when a man in Florida entered a cage to feed a tiger. The senator says the bill had to be revised to consider those who might approach an animal to save another person.