SANDSTONE, Minn. – A Bengal tiger attacked and killed its owner at a former animal breeding business, the latest in a series of recent maulings involving captive exotic animals in the state.
Cynthia Lee Gamble, 52, was found in an area connected to the 500-pound tiger's cage by a small, open gate, Pine County Sheriff Mark Mansavage said Friday. He said a man who had gone to work on the property Thursday found the woman's body.
The tiger was euthanized and taken to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Hospital for testing.
Two other Bengal tigers on the property were being cared for by Gamble's friends, Mansavage said.
Sandstone is about 85 miles north of St. Paul. Unlike many other counties in the state, Pine County does not have an ordinance restricting ownership of exotic animals.
Exotic animals kept at private homes have attacked several people in Minnesota in the past 12 months. A 10-year-old boy was left partially paralyzed last summer after being attacked by a lion and tiger at a Little Falls residence. Last April, four tigers attacked and wounded a 37-year-old woman in southeastern Minnesota.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.