A trainer was attacked by a tiger Tuesday during a private performance for a school field trip.
Vicenta Pages was performing during the Pensacola Interstate Fair when the tiger got hold of her and started dragging her across the pen.
Video shows Pages calling for another trainer, who helps drag the tiger off Pages.
"We're dealing with wild animals here, and although we take every precaution, accidents like this sometimes happen," David Donnert, Pages' fiance and co-owner of the show, told WEAR. "We know the hazards of our job, but we love these beautiful animals and Vicenta will be back as soon as she's able."
Students, who were not injured, thought the incident was part of the show.
Pages had a 3-inch cut on her knee and another cut on her ankle, according to WEAR. She was taken to a nearby hospital.
"She has worked tigers for, I believe, 16 years. She has never had a scratch, and myself, I've been with her six years and we've never been attacked," Donnert said. "I don't consider this myself as an attack because it could have been way way worse."
The tiger show has been canceled for the rest of the fair.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating.
"The video of the incident will be included in our complete and thorough investigation. Once our investigation is complete, the findings will be available to the public. We expect all those we license to follow Florida's very high safety standards," FWC spokesman Rob Klepper told People.
About the Author