The animal handler who was fatally mauled by a tiger in Oklahoma last week was killed as horrified onlookers – including his wife and daughter – watched during a big cat show, officials said Monday.
According to the Associated Press, the tiger attacked Ryan Easley, 37, at the end of a performance on Sept. 20 at Growler Pines Tiger Preserve near Hugo, Oklahoma.
Facility tours are canceled until further notice, the preserve posted, asking for privacy and compassion for Easley's family.
Easley's passing was also acknowledged by former zookeeper Joseph Maldonado, more popularly known as Joe Exotic, profiled in the smash hit Netflix documentary series "Tiger King." Maldonado is serving a 21-year sentence at Fort Worth's Federal Medical Center after he was convicted in a highly-publicized murder-for-hire case.
Tiger attack in Hugo, Oklahoma
More details of how the attack occurred have emerged since the incident on Sept. 20.
Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park told the AP that the tiger "unexpectedly started to bite" during the big cat show, and the tiger then shook Easley while the two were inside a larger cage.
The Sheriff noted that Easley's wife and young daughter were present when the attack happened.
The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve, in its statement Sunday, wrote that Easley's "love for animals, especially Big Cats, was evident in every aspect of his life," saying that his legacy would live on in the example he set for others also passionate about wildlife.
Joe Exotic shares thoughts on Easley
Joseph Maldonado, mostly known as Joe Exotic, noted Easley's death saying that he would be praying for his family.
"Prayers go out to his family," Maldonado said in since-removed posts on Instagram and Facebook. "Ryan took great care of his animals! He loved everyone of those tigers and was an advocate for tigers as well as elephants."
In another Facebook post Sunday afternoon, Maldonado shared a link to PETA's statement and disputed some of the organization's claims.
"Always got to lie and drag me into everything," Maldonado wrote. "Ryan built a huge compound to keep his tigers in on the backside of my zoo. PeTa (sic) doesn't know crap."
Since his death, PETA has made a statement regarding apex predators and wild animal exhibitors.
"It’s never safe for humans to interact directly with apex predators, and it’s never a surprise when a human is attacked by a stressed big cat who has been caged, whipped, and denied everything natural and important to them. PETA is calling for the remaining wild animal exhibitors who aren’t dead or in federal prison to get out of the business now and send the animals to accredited sanctuaries where they can finally live in peace," said Debbie Metzler, PETA Foundation's senior director of captive wildlife.
As the tigers are not native to Oklahoma, they had to receive a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to AP reports.
Can you own a tiger in Oklahoma? Exotic pet laws
In Oklahoma City, city ordinances do allow for exotic animals, but only under certain criteria.
People are generally banned from owning big cats in Oklahoma City like lions, tigers, cougars and lynxes. Yet, if you wish to own one, you must be able to have at least five acres of land, and all neighbors must approve of the new pet. The cat must also be microchipped and registered with the city.
Other exceptions to OKC's exotic wildlife law include provisions for the zoo, animal welfare, circuses, government agencies, veterinarians, research facilities and nature parks qualified to handle the animals.
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