Dear John:

Here's what Canadians can have at the house with the kids instead of a
scary Barrett.

Pet tiger at exotic animal farm mauls woman

Victim was petting feline in its cage when attacked, reports say

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - 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.


No "glee" was involved in the posting of this article.

On Sat, 12 May 2007 00:41:09 -0400, "Douglas W. \"Popeye\" Frederick"
<Popeye@finalprotectivefire.com> wrote:

> Here's what Canadians can have at the house with the kids instead of a
> scary Barrett.
>
> Pet tiger at exotic animal farm mauls woman
>
> Victim was petting feline in its cage when attacked, reports say

"Canadians -- taste like chicken"... <sick-grin>