Veterinary report says tiger was starving when it killed owner

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS – The Bengal tiger that attacked and killed its owner last week was starving and only weighed about half as much as it should have, according to a report from a University of Minnesota veterinarian.

The male tiger killed Cynthia Gamble, 52, inside its cage at her property east of Sandstone last Thursday. The tiger was euthanized and taken to the university’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for examination.

The report said the tiger was "cachetic," meaning it was emaciated, and that it weighed 118 kilograms – the equivalent of 260 pounds and about half of what a 10-year-old tiger’s normal weight would typically be.

The report said the tiger had no significant injuries, and tests for rabies were negative.

The report also said the tiger’s teeth "were markedly worn or had been intentionally trimmed down."

Gamble held an exhibitor’s license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which permitted her to show animals at public venues.

Her services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. John Lutheran Church in Kroschel, west of Hinckley. The family asks that memorials be sent to the Columbus Zoo, 9990 Riverside Dr., Columbus, OH 43065.

Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com

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