County crafts new response plan for Tiger Haven

Roane County Emergency Services workers have crafted a new response plan to handle a possible escape of dangerous wild animals at Tiger Haven.

Posted: 6:22 PM Sep 22, 2010
Reporter: Mario Boone

KINGSTON, Tenn. (WVLT) — You can’t see them, but if you listen closely, you can hear the roar of wild animals at Tiger Haven, a sanctuary for dangerous lions, tigers, cougars, and other wild exotic animals in Roane County.

“There are 286 class 1 animals, large exotic animals,” said Roane County Emergency Services director Howie Rose.

Emergency workers are so worried about a possible escape, they’ve enacted a new response plan specifically for Tiger Haven, which includes reverse 9-1-1 calls and text messages to neighbors.

“Should there be a release, the public needs to be informed with good information and not rumors.”

Also in the plan, a joint response from sheriffs and wildlife officers. But why the sudden change? Is there a new threat posed by tiger haven?

“The county executive felt that it was prudent for us to do this, to address the life safety issue,” said Rose.

These safeguards not enough for one man who lives right next door to the dangerous cats. He didn’t want to be identified.

“With a neighborhood like this, a lot of kids, I don’t feel they should be here,” the neighbor said.

Rose reassured the public saying, “they should know that the county is proactively engaged in making sure that should an event take place, we are working to keep them safe.”

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