A New Jersey man, Chad Jordan, suffered severe injuries including a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, and a punctured lung after being bucked off a horse he purchased from Sweet Haven Farms in Pedricktown. The horse, an Arabian named Pyxy Ali, was sold despite having a history of dangerous behavior, being too small and weak to safely carry Jordan’s weight, and previously injuring others by bolting. A recent appellate court ruling determined that Sweet Haven Farms failed in its duty to disclose the horse’s known issues and dangerous propensities, rejecting the farm’s claim to immunity under the New Jersey Equestrian Activity Liability Act. Jordan’s lawsuit seeking damages and attorney fees is ongoing.

The article also provides an extensive overview of exotic and wild animal ownership laws across U.S. states, highlighting various species banned or regulated due to safety and environmental concerns. Each state has specific restrictions on animals such as big cats, bears, primates, venomous reptiles, and others, often requiring permits or outright prohibiting ownership. The piece concludes with a list of the most searched-for pets in the U.S., noting dogs as the most popular, followed by axolotls, cats, ferrets, and others, with some species like axolotls being illegal in certain states such as New Jersey.