A Florida man was mauled after paying $150 (Ksh15,000) to have a “full-contact experience” with a leopard.
Dwight Turner, 50, underwent two surgeries after being attacked by the black leopard on August 31, his wife said Natushka Turner said in a written statement to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as reported by CNN.
Mr. Turner and the leopard’s owner, Michale Poggi, 54, organized for him to “pay with it, rub its belly and take pictures”, FWC said in the report.
After Poggi unlocked the animal’s cage, Mr. Turner entered and sat on a bench inside when the leopard growled ad attacked him bitting his head and ear according to the report.
The victim’s wife, Mrs. Turner said she had to place part of her husband’s scalp back in place since it was hanging from his head and his right ear was torn in half.
CNN said it tried to reach the owner of the animal but all the attempts were in vain.
Mr. Poggi is set for a zoom hearing on December 2, according to Broward County court documents.
According to CNN, Poggi admitted to FWC investigators that he was aware that what he did was illegal and questions, but would not issue a written statement.
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On his Facebook wall, Poggi described himself as “an Exotic Animal Breeder of rare or endangered species and has rescued thousands of exotic animals over the past 35 years.”
