Woman who tried to pat a 3-legged tiger after breaking into zoo fined $250 by Nebraska court

A woman who tried to pat a three-legged Malayan tiger at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska was fined $250 (£176, €219) and ordered to pay costs. Two misdemeanour charges were dropped in a plea deal.

Jacqueline Eide, 33, admitted entering the zoo after a social function last Halloween. She was bitten by an 18-year-old Malayan tiger called Mai when she reached into its exhibit area.

Eide was taken to the Creighton University Medical Centre by a friend with "severe trauma" to her hand. According to police, she acted aggressively and appeared to be intoxicated when officers were called to the hospital.

Dennis Pate, the zoo's executive director said that additional cameras were being installed at the zoo. He said security cameras, path lighting and computer-controlled locks monitor exit and entry to the zoo.

Mai had been a resident at the zoo since 2003. According to the zoo, the tiger is "very friendly, which is odd because she came from the wild." She lost a leg in a snare trap when she was a cub.