By Ciara Byrne
(Canadian Press) A 66-year-old man from southern Ontario, who spent years battling with neighbours to keep wild cats on his property, has been mauled to death by his 300-kilogram pet tiger.
Norman Buwalda went into the tiger’s cage on his property in Southwold, Ont. on Sunday afternoon to feed the animal, when police said he was attacked and killed.
A family member discovered the body and was able to lock the tiger in a separate portion of the cage, dividing Buwalda from the pacing tiger until an ambulance arrived.
In June 2004, a 10-year-old boy was attacked by a Siberian tiger on Buwalda’s property that was led out of its cage on a leash so the child could take its picture.
The boy suffered severe neck and head injuries, but survived the vicious attack.
Neighbours in the rural community said they have spent nearly five years fighting to have the animals removed from the property, but all attempts failed.
But Buwalda, who was the chairman of the Canadian Exotic Animal Owner’s Association, never faced charges, because he was legally entitled to own the animals.
Read the rest: Ontario man who owned exotic animals mauled to death by 300 kg pet tiger – Winnipeg Free Press.
