Man Attacked by a Siberian Tiger

October 22, 2010

Special News Release

On October 22, 2010, at 12:34 PM the Sauk County Communications Center received a 911 call from Jeff Kozlowski, the owner of the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Educational Center. Kozlowski reported that a party had been bitten by a large cat.

Preliminary investigation by the Sheriff’s Office indicates that volunteer John M Meeker, age 38, of Baraboo, WI had been watering “Kahn” a seven year old Siberian tiger when the cat was able to grab a hold of his arm and pull it into the fenced enclosure. Other volunteers were able to get the injured party away from the cat and began first aid until the First Responders from Rock Springs arrived.

Meeker was flown from the scene by UW-Med-Flight due to his injuries. The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Rock Springs First Responders, Reedsburg Ambulance Service and the North Freedom Fire Department. This incident remains under investigation by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office.

Chip Meister, Chief Deputy
Sauk County Sheriff’s Office