A police investigation has been launched after a 32-year-old woman was mauled to death by a tiger near 100 Mile House, B.C., officials confirmed Friday.
Two young children witnessed the horrific attack.
The victim has been identified as Tanya Dumstrey-Soos by her employer, Scott Nelson. The woman's fiance is Kim Carlton, who owns the property where the attack occurred.
"Before she passed away Kim did say that he did have a chance to talk to Tanya," Nelson told The Canadian Press. "He said the two were able to say they loved each other."
Carlton was out of town at the time and rushed to be with Dumstrey-Soos, but she died before he arrived.
Regional coroner Bruce Chamberlayne told The Canadian Press that Dumstrey-Soos was taken to hospital after the attack Thursday afternoon but couldn't be revived.
"She was a fabulous person and she had such a zest for life. She was loving, kind and sincere," Tari Meade, a friend and co-worker at the 100 Mile House Advisor newspaper, told CTV British Columbia.
Carlton is the owner and operator of Siberian Magic, a private zoo at Bridge Lake.
"This is a gentleman who owned a property in B.C.'s Lower Mainland in Abbotsford and kept tigers and cougars and then moved to 100 Mile House ... and kept these large game cats there," CTV's Vancouver Bureau Chief Todd Battis reported.
It's unclear how the attack unfolded but early reports suggest the woman was mauled through the cage, as the animals reached for her dress. The tiger was possibly the only one of three on the property that had not been de-clawed.
Const. Annie Linteau of the RCMP's E Division said a group of children saw the attack.
"The incident was witnessed by people that were on location, including a number of children," she told CTV British Columbia. "And at least one of those children belong to the lady."
Nelson said it's likely two of the children belonged to Carlton: Dakota, 12, and 15-year-old Kodiak.
In the past, Carlton has come under scrutiny for appearing with his Siberian tiger in public.
"We have been here for a few years now, and with wild animals it's always a worry about something happening," said neighbour Linda Bishop.
But Carlton has defended his actions, saying he raised awareness of animal extinction through his tiger.
Visitors to the zoo can have their photo taken with a variety of exotic animal, including the Siberian tiger Kisa, or the African lion Sarmoti, according to the Siberian Magic website.
Carlton pursued a career in animal training and magic after retiring from professional fighting.
B.C. officials have no idea how many tigers are in the province, because owners do not require a license to keep the animals.
With reports from CTV British Columbia and files from The Canadian Press
