Canadian Woman Fatally Mauled by Tiger
Pastor Dale Morgan
May 11, 9:53 PM EDT
*Canadian Woman Fatally Mauled by Tiger*
100 MILE HOUSE, British Columbia (AP) -- A 32-year-old woman was fatally
mauled by a tiger in an attack witnessed by several children at an
exotic animal farm in British Columbia, officials said Friday.
Tanya Dumstrey-Soos was taken to a hospital in 100 Mile House after the
attack late Thursday at Siberian Magic, about 25 miles to the east, but
doctors couldn't save her, said regional coroner Bruce Chamberlayne.
Scott Nelson, who employed Dumstrey-Soos as a receptionist and
saleswoman at the 100 Mile House Advisor newspaper, said the farm was
owned by Kim Carlton, the woman's fiance.
Carlton "told me ... he didn't think the tiger had bit her. It's that
she had a dress on and she was standing there and he was playing with
the dress and grabbed her legs," Nelson said. "She was standing outside
the cage and talking to Gangus, the cat swatted at the legs."
Dumstrey-Soos was found outside the tiger's cage when emergency services
arrived at the farm, said Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl. Scott Ksionzyk.
"There is no indication that at any point the tiger was outside of the
cage; nor is there any indication that the victim entered the cage,"
Ksionzyk said.
A number of youngsters, including one of Dumstrey-Soos' children,
witnessed the attack, said RCMP constable Annie Linteau.
Nelson said the woman spoke with her fiance by cell phone before she died.
"Before she passed away Kim did say that he did have a chance to talk to
Tanya," Nelson said. "He said the two were able to say they loved each
other."
The Mounted Police said all the animals, including three tigers, a lion
and a lemur, remained secured on the premises.
British Columbia Agricultural Minister Barry Penner said authorities
would determine whether there is a need to change regulations that allow
private citizens to keep exotic animals. The Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals has called for legislation to ban the practice.