German Police Shoot Escaped Tiger After Keeper Attack Near Leipzig

German police shot and killed a male tiger on Sunday after it escaped a private enclosure near Leipzig and seriously injured a 73-year-old keeper. The incident occurred at a facility in the community of Schkeuditz, just west of Leipzig. Police received the emergency call at around 12:50 local time and arrived quickly.

Officers found the tiger in a nearby garden and shot it to eliminate further risk to the public.

The tiger attacked the keeper while he was inside the enclosure. The injured man was taken to a hospital for treatment. The tiger then fled the complex and roamed free for less than 30 minutes before police killed it. Officials said none of the other tigers escaped.

Police have planned a drone search to ensure the site is fully secure. How the tiger escaped remains part of an ongoing investigation.

The enclosure is part of a privately owned facility that houses eight big cats. Local media reports identified the owner as trainer Carmen Zander, known as Germany's "Tiger Queen." Zander has performed with tigers across Europe and offers public petting events near Leipzig. A website associated with her name shows pictures of eight tigers, three of which appear to have died in recent years.

Druskat called for the animals to be relocated. He told local media it was "unthinkable" what could have happened if anyone else had been harmed. " One witness claimed the animals were housed in far too cramped conditions with very limited space to roam.

Animal rights charity Peta called on the government to act, saying stricter rules are needed to protect privately owned animals.