Lioness lunges: children hurt

Press, 12 April 1978, Page 1

Lioness lunges: children hurt

PA Invercargill Two children suffered minor injuries when Suzy, the remaining lioness in the Carlos’ Circus, was disturbed during her performance at Mataura on Sunday evening. The lioness’s tw r o companions were shot after escaping from cages during a performance at Lawrence a fortnight ago. Senior-sergeant J. R. Wheeler, of the Gore police, said yesteroay that Suzy appeared to be disturbed during her act when a domestic cat walked across the ring.

She pounced to where the cat had disappeared under seats, striking the two children with her paw. Jason Richardson, aged four, of Mataura, suffered a minor gash in the side, which required stiches, although he was not admitted to hospital. Christine Pulley, aged 12, also of Mataura, suffered a minor cut to a foot.

The girl said she had been sitti g. with a group of children in the front row of the tent while the animals were performing. The lioness was led on a chain before the crowd, which had almost filled the tent. “The lion was being led round the ring to a stool, when it cut my foot with its paw,” she said. “People in the front row

drew back as the animal lunged. There were people climbing to get to the back seats,” she said. She was “frightened," but stayed and watched the remaining acts before being taken home and treated for her cut. Immediately after the incident, the lioness was taken from the ring and the next act begun. The girl’s mother, Mrs

G. W. Pulley, said the incident was a “straight-out accident," not an attack. “1 think it was more out of fright than anything,” she said. The ringmaster, Mr Russell Harris, was instructed by the police yesterday that the lioness must not give any further performances until a wire cage was built to the specifications of the authorities.

Both the police and Mr Harris agreed that Suzy might be pining for her companions. Mr Harris said her performance was unpredictable at times, and she was cantankerous. Serious consideration has been given to keeping her caged at all times, or to having her put down, if her unpredictable manner continues.