A tiger escaped from a private enclosure in the eastern German town of Schkeuditz near Leipzig airport on Sunday afternoon, attacking a 72-year-old keeper before being tracked and shot by police. The incident occurred in a garden allotment area where residents were working outdoors. Officers responded to reports from alarmed neighbors and killed the animal about 30 minutes after its escape to protect public safety. The keeper, who had entered the enclosure with permission, suffered severe injuries and remains hospitalized. Police noted they lacked non-lethal equipment such as a stun gun or veterinarian support at the time. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible safety violations by the enclosure owner, 52-year-old Carmen Zander, who has kept tigers at the site since 2016. Local authorities have called for the removal of the facility, while animal welfare groups have criticized the conditions and urged stronger regulations for keeping wild animals in captivity.
