Greens Call for a Ban on Tigers and Other Animals in Private Ownership

Following the fatal tiger escape near Leipzig, the Green Party is calling for a ban on dangerous wild animals in private ownership. In mid-May, a tiger escaped in the Dölzig district of Schkeuditz and seriously injured a 72-year-old man. He recently died in the hospital as a result of the attack.

The tiger was killed by police. The man’s death is deeply distressing, said Franziska Schubert, leader of the Green Party faction in the state parliament. This makes it all the more important to draw the right conclusions from this tragic incident.

The events in Dölzig made it clear that Saxony must fundamentally review its regulations on keeping dangerous wild animals, Schubert said. “In Saxony, no one should be allowed to keep tigers or other dangerous wild animals as pets.” Furthermore, she added, clear and practical rules are needed, along with a registration system for particularly dangerous animals, an effective exchange of information among authorities, and well-equipped veterinary agencies capable of conducting consistent inspections.

Current procedures are too lengthy and complicated

“The incident shows that authorities can, in principle, intervene, but at the same time it highlights just how lengthy and complicated the procedures are—far too lengthy and complicated. There should be neither injuries nor deaths simply because Saxony has not finally taken clear action here. The Free State must now get its act together so that such a case does not happen again,” said Schubert.