Oregon Wild Cat Sanctuary Fined in Mauling Case

State safety officials have fined an Oregon wild cat sanctuary $5,600 for two serious violations, one of which likely contributed to an employee being mauled to death by a cougar.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division found the sanctuary violated its two-person safety procedure by allowing employees to work alone with the wild cats on a frequent basis.

Head keeper Renee Radziwon-Chapman was killed at the sanctuary while working alone, cleaning a cougar enclosure.

Oregon OSHA also found the latches on the cougar cages and the cat enclosure were inadequately designed at the Sherwood-area facility.

Sanctuary lawyer Dale Johnson said in a statement that both of the violations have already been addressed.