An escaped tiger, believed to be owned by Carmen Zander, was shot dead by police in Germany following an incident where it attacked a 72-year-old man within its enclosure. The attack occurred in an area northwest of Leipzig, in eastern Germany, according to local media reports.
The man attacked by the tiger was reportedly authorized to be in the enclosure. After the attack, the tiger escaped, prompting a swift response from armed police. The animal was tracked to a garden, where officers shot it due to concerns for public safety, as the vicinity was crowded.
The site of the escape, housed in an industrial park in Schkeuditz, is managed by Carmen Zander, a former circus tiger trainer known within the community as Germany’s “Tiger Queen.” According to MDR, Zander lacked the necessary animal welfare permit to keep large predators.
The enclosure housed eight tigers, but a local rescue center has expressed willingness to take in the remaining animals.
The police intervened rapidly after receiving an emergency call at around 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday. Their decision to shoot the tiger aimed to prevent further danger to the public, as reported by the BBC.
“A tragedy waiting to happen”
PETA’s Peter Höffken, in a statement, labeled the incident as a “tragedy waiting to happen.” Höffken noted PETA’s ongoing warnings to authorities about Zander’s negligent handling of her tigers, including safety issues.
PETA’s 2025 statement highlighted the tigers’ confinement in cramped, barren wire cages, depriving them of a suitable environment. Zander’s response to CBS News’ request for comment remains pending.
Thomas Druskat, the local mayor, expressed his concerns through the Leipziger Volkszeitung, emphasizing the urgency of removing the enclosure to prevent potential future harm to individuals.
Zander’s website allows bookings for events where people can interact with her tigers, described as “tiger mice.” Her website promotes an exclusive petting event with promises to fulfill lifelong dreams, illustrating the tigers’ incredible size and strength.