Dead Ringer
02-18-2008, 09:38 PM
http://myfwc.com/whatsnew/08/statewide/News_08_X_Atkinson2.htm
News Release
Tiger mauls sanctuary volunteer; FWC charges founder for 43rd time
February 15, 2008
Contact: Henry Cabbage 850-488-8843; or (cell) 850-528-1755
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators have charged Darrell Atkinson, 51, of Davenport with keeping a tiger in a substandard cage.
The charge and three related warning citations are the result of a Feb. 9 tiger attack on Brenda Chapman, who worked as a volunteer at the Horseshoe Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, founded by Atkinson. According to investigators, Ms. Chapman was cleaning the tiger’s cage when the animal mauled her left leg and right hand.
The attack occurred when Atkinson was out of state and reportedly had left unqualified workers in charge of the facility. In addition to the caging violations, a culpable negligence charge against Atkinson is pending in the State Attorney’s office.
After the attack, FWC investigators conducted a full inspection of the sanctuary and found a tiger in a 13 x 13-foot cage, constructed of 11-gauge wire with no safety entrance (which would enable workers to enter and exit the cage with minimum safety hazards). The state requirement is for tigers to have 10 x 24-foot cages, constructed of 9-gauge wire and a safety entrance.
In addition, investigators found a tiger in an open-air cage, without the roof required for a cage of less than 1,000 square-feet. Also, the cage had a damaged block wall with a hole large enough for the cat to escape. The FWC and workers undertook emergency repairs and placed one of the sanctuary’s tigers at another facility when they found no adequate caging at Horseshoe Creek.
The FWC also is attempting to find out the origin of new animals acquired by Horseshoe Creek, possibly in violation of a 2006 court order.
The case marks the 43rd time the FWC has filed charges against Atkinson since 1993.
News Release
Tiger mauls sanctuary volunteer; FWC charges founder for 43rd time
February 15, 2008
Contact: Henry Cabbage 850-488-8843; or (cell) 850-528-1755
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators have charged Darrell Atkinson, 51, of Davenport with keeping a tiger in a substandard cage.
The charge and three related warning citations are the result of a Feb. 9 tiger attack on Brenda Chapman, who worked as a volunteer at the Horseshoe Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, founded by Atkinson. According to investigators, Ms. Chapman was cleaning the tiger’s cage when the animal mauled her left leg and right hand.
The attack occurred when Atkinson was out of state and reportedly had left unqualified workers in charge of the facility. In addition to the caging violations, a culpable negligence charge against Atkinson is pending in the State Attorney’s office.
After the attack, FWC investigators conducted a full inspection of the sanctuary and found a tiger in a 13 x 13-foot cage, constructed of 11-gauge wire with no safety entrance (which would enable workers to enter and exit the cage with minimum safety hazards). The state requirement is for tigers to have 10 x 24-foot cages, constructed of 9-gauge wire and a safety entrance.
In addition, investigators found a tiger in an open-air cage, without the roof required for a cage of less than 1,000 square-feet. Also, the cage had a damaged block wall with a hole large enough for the cat to escape. The FWC and workers undertook emergency repairs and placed one of the sanctuary’s tigers at another facility when they found no adequate caging at Horseshoe Creek.
The FWC also is attempting to find out the origin of new animals acquired by Horseshoe Creek, possibly in violation of a 2006 court order.
The case marks the 43rd time the FWC has filed charges against Atkinson since 1993.