An elderly man has died after being mauled by the Siberian tiger he kept at his home in Canada.
Norman Buwalda, 66, was attacked by the 295kg animal after entering a cage to feed it on Sunday afternoon, police in the town of Southwold, Ontario, said.
Officers were called after his body was found by a member of his family, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
"We don't know what prompted the attack at this time, because there were no witnesses," police spokesman PC Troy Carlson said.
"My officers tell me the tiger was pacing back and forth in his pen. If that means it was agitated, I couldn't tell you."
Mr Buwalda, chairman of the Canadian Exotic Animal Owner's Association, was not thought to have been wearing protective clothing.
"He was known in the community for having exotic animals. He also had a second tiger for a time," PC Carlson added.
It was believed he held the legal permits to keep the exotic animal and may have sold others to zoos.
"It is a little strange to keep such wild animals, but everything seems to be in order. I can't say if the tiger will be put down. It's a wild animal, not a pet.
"The circumstances are complex to say whose fault it was at this point."
Mr Buwalda had also spent several years locked in legal fights with his neighbours who had expressed fears about the animals he kept.
Siberian Tiger Mauls Owner To Death: Animal Attacks Norman Buwalda In Southwold, Onatario, Canada | World News | Sky News
Norman Buwalda, 66, was attacked by the 295kg animal after entering a cage to feed it on Sunday afternoon, police in the town of Southwold, Ontario, said.
Officers were called after his body was found by a member of his family, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
"We don't know what prompted the attack at this time, because there were no witnesses," police spokesman PC Troy Carlson said.
"My officers tell me the tiger was pacing back and forth in his pen. If that means it was agitated, I couldn't tell you."
Mr Buwalda, chairman of the Canadian Exotic Animal Owner's Association, was not thought to have been wearing protective clothing.
"He was known in the community for having exotic animals. He also had a second tiger for a time," PC Carlson added.
It was believed he held the legal permits to keep the exotic animal and may have sold others to zoos.
"It is a little strange to keep such wild animals, but everything seems to be in order. I can't say if the tiger will be put down. It's a wild animal, not a pet.
"The circumstances are complex to say whose fault it was at this point."
Mr Buwalda had also spent several years locked in legal fights with his neighbours who had expressed fears about the animals he kept.
Siberian Tiger Mauls Owner To Death: Animal Attacks Norman Buwalda In Southwold, Onatario, Canada | World News | Sky News
