Schkeuditz: German police shot dead a tiger that escaped from a private facility near the eastern city of Leipzig, resulting in a 73-year-old man being seriously injured, authorities reported.
According to Ghana News Agency, the man, who was inside the enclosure when the tiger broke free in Schkeuditz, was a volunteer authorized to be on the premises. He sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital. The incident occurred around 1 pm (1100 GMT) when the tiger left its enclosure. Police officers found the animal near a garden area and shot it dead to eliminate any risk to public safety.
A significant police operation was launched, with officers equipped with heavy weapons due to the threat posed by the fully grown tiger. The police confirmed that no other animals had escaped from the facility. To ensure the area was secure, a drone search was planned. The tiger trainer, who maintains eight big cats at the industrial site in Schkeuditz, did not respond to requests for comment. Media reports indicate the trainer has faced repeated allegations concerning her handling of tigers.
District Mayor, Thomas Druskat, expressed the need for the enclosure's removal, citing the potential danger to the public. He advocated for relocating the animals to more suitable facilities. Nearby residents voiced their shock and concern following the escape. Stefanie K¤stner, who keeps a horse at a riding stable opposite the site, described the incident as 'terrible and worrying,' questioning the site's suitability for housing big cats.
Another local resident, a former acquaintance of the animal keeper and 'tiger fan,' criticized the conditions in which the animals were kept, claiming the enclosure was too small. He noted that other trainers had moved their tigers to zoos or wildlife parks. Police are investigating the circumstances of the tiger's escape, and it remains uncertain whether criminal proceedings will ensue.