Hand goes in the cage. Tiger's in the cage. Our tiger.

[theweaselking]

Man who reached into a tiger's cage and was bitten fears rabies - and so the tiger may have to be killed, because Rabies can be confirmed only in a laboratory, using brain tissue from a dead animal.

State epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger said the 5-year-old tiger, named Cyber, might have to be euthanized.

"When there is a bite by an animal other than a dog, cat or ferret, there are two options: test the animal (for rabies) or have the person take rabies shots," he said.

Kightlinger said the fact that it's an endangered species doesn't matter. He said the city is in agreement with the two options, which are the same as the CDC guidelines.

However, Cyber remains in the tiger rotation, and zoo officials said they have no plans to destroy him.

"He's up to date on his vaccination, he's healthy, and we're not concerned that he would've transferred anything," said Dan Brands, vice president and chief operating officer of the zoo.

In order to reach the tiger, the man had to climb a 42-inch barrier fence and walk a few feet to get to a 12-foot chain-link exhibit fence. A second boundary of fencing can be found around most exhibits, except at the bird of prey exhibit and the children's zoo.
================================================
Personally, I'd say we make the diagnosis based on *his* brain tissue, except that we don't appear to have evidence that he has any.

Oh, and "When there is a bite by an animal other than a dog, cat or ferret, there are two options: test the animal (for rabies) or have the person take rabies shots,"

This, like the victim, appears to be a no-brainer.

Comments

[missysedai.livejournal.com]

<*GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*>

God DAMMIT! If you're dumb enough to play "here kitty kitty" with an unsupervised Amur, you deserve to be bitten. Euthanize him and improve the gene pool, leave the kitty alone!

(Supervised properly, OTOH...I did that for my 30th birthday...Amurs, Bengals and a lion. Very pretty.)

[silmaril.livejournal.com]

Can we somehow make sure that the rabies shots are delivered with an extra-large needle? Just because.

[ursulav.livejournal.com]

Lord. What an idjit. Good for the zoo for not planning to destroy the tiger--I hope they stand by it!

[dolston.livejournal.com]

I'm willing to do give the moron his shots. Hal did just get a thirty-odd-six.

[dolston.livejournal.com]

The problem would be if it becomes a legal issue and the idjot decides to go through the courts. All the standing firm means nothing when the cops show up with a court order.

[unnamed525.livejournal.com]

In that case, they should make the cops get an outside person to do the euthanization.
The zoo people should refuse to do it.