I am sure they thought themselves amusing. They didn't feel ashamed at their boorish behavior and how it infringed on the enjoyment of other people. They didn't think how being drunk and high might endanger other people. They were thoughtless, and I would guess this wasn't the first time they had behaved in such a manner. I would guess zoos weren't the only place they felt free to tease the animals. Would they have also thought it funny to tease a dog like Lucy? Why not? What was to stop them? Like Lucy, Tatiana was killed when she reacted as one would expect.
Yet perhaps Tatiana was not only a victim of her own instincts, but also the hero. She prevented these men from getting back in their car, getting drunker, driving drunk, and perhaps ruining the day and even the life of another person or animal.
Article comments
1 - maskay
Well said! I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt the blame belonged on the supposed "victims:
2 - Nilla Bean
Nicely said, Purple Tigress.
We are saddened to see the awful effects of human sin on innocent animals, who were also created by God.
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." Romans 8:22
3 - Purple Tigress
"...cruelty to the animal is more painful because man has a tongue and he sighs, complains and groans when he receives an injury and complains to the government and the government protects him from cruelty; but the poor animal cannot speak, it can neither show its suffering nor is it able to appeal to the government. If it is harmed a thousand times by man it is not able to defend itself in words nor can it seek justice or retaliate. Therefore one must be very considerate towards animals and show greater kindness to them than to man."
--Baha'i World Faith 373-374
4 - Ellen
Thank you for this wonderful article. I've thought for a while that zoos do more harm than good for animals, but I was unaware of these horrible incidents. I can't imagine what would cause a person to go to the zoo to behave like that -- utterly bizarre.
5 - Purple Tigress
The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park and other zoos have been involved in the preservation and re-introduction of various animals such as the Przewalski Horse (also known as the Asian Wild Horse, Mongolian Wild Horse or the Takhi. More recently is the breeding and reintroduction of the California Condor and the Arabian Oryx.
For some animals, that are actively poached in the wild, zoos and wild animal parks may unfortunately be the only hope until poverty can be diminished, wars end and black markets can be eliminated.
The people who protect the white rhinos in the wild animal reserves need heavy duty weapons and still they are not successful. There are less than five Northern white rhinos left in the wild. Ten are now in zoos.
Zoos are not the only hope Northern white rhinos may have. Tigers and rhinos are both hunted so that their body parts can be used as aphrodisiacs.
Isn't that pathetic?
6 - klondikekitty
Thank you so much, Purple Tigress!! Even before it was revealed that the 3 "victims' of Tatiana's attack had teased her and climbed into an area in which they should never have been, I suspected it was NOT the tiger's fault that she attacked them.
It is very sad when humans are so bored with their lives they have to bully animals, little children and senior citizens looking for excitement. I feel sad that Tatiana was put down because three young men had nothing better to do than torment her. They deserved every single thing (and more!) that happened to them, and I would be willing to bet everything I own that the young man whom she killed was the worst offender of the three.
I, too, had a German Shepherd/Husky crossbreed that had to be put down because he was tormented by children passing by to the point of becoming "vicious" like Lucy -- I think of him often and wish I had policed my yard better to prevent what was surely the fault of those who teased and agitated him on a daily basis, not his.
7 - Purple Tigress
My condolences for your loss. I think German Shepherd/Husky mixes are quite attractive. However, I think neither breed takes well to teasing.
It is very sad that people can be so cruel to animals and other helpless victims.
I actually thought I would get a lot of hate mail so I hesitated to publish this piece.
8 - Scout
I feel very sad for all those innocent animals that are tormented by evil humans. These 3 men (who taunted Tatiana) most likely abused other smalled animals before this. Now the two surviving men will be awarded for their evil nature and intent.
I love Shepherds also and have a 130 lb male Shepherd named Scout.
9 - Brianna
Tigers mean alot to me. They are very beautiful and God created them!
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16