FIGHT WITH TIGERB.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10858, 29 December 1906, Page 8 (Supplement)

FIGHT WITH TIGERS.

TERRIBLE SCENE IN A CROWDED

CIRCUS.

On November 4, Jack Peters, the wellknown trainer of wild animals, was terribly mauled at the Busch Circus, Berlin, while performing m a cage containing four lions and two tigers. Peters carries a revolver m his pocket and a heavy riding whip m his hand while m the cage, but towards the, end of the performance he lays the whip aside to box with one of the tigers, the remaining five wild beasts sitting round and watching the contest.

After the boxing, Peters was dragging off a huge pair of leather gloves which he wears to "ward off the tiger's claws, when both tigers suddenly sprang at him, striking him with their paws, and biting fiercely at his limbs. Peters fought with desperation, parrying the blows, and attempting to beat off his assailants. During the struggle the tigers tore the flesh from his face, shoulders, and arms, but finally Peters fired his revolver, and used the' momentary pause m the combat caused by the reports to escape from the cage.

He presented a terrible appearance, and was removed to hospital m a critical condition. A wild panic seized the audience, which was composed largely of women and children,' and in* the rush for the exits many people were injured. Another report says that -four assistants made their way into the cage, and drove back the beasts by blows with iron bars. Peters crawled out with their aid, and showed himself three times to the public before he broke down.