The mum of a safari park worker killed by a tiger is demanding tougher powers against negligent zoo bosses.
Fiona McClay, 50, hit out following an inquest into the death of daughter Sarah, who was mauled to death by a tiger at South Lakes Wild Animal Park where she worked in May last year.
An inquest in Kendal, Cumbria, last week revealed police and council inspectors found a defective door bolt in the tiger house.
“If there is proof a prosecution should be made we will back that fully,” said Fiona. “We cannot allow this to happen to anyone else. No other animal workers should die in this way.”
Fiona said, despite the hearing, they still do not know how the tiger got to their daughter.
“The inquest has established how she died and the council investigation will show any shortcomings,” she said. “We are desperately looking for the truth of what happened.”
A Barrow Council’s investigation is expected to report next month.
Sarah’s boyfriend, David Shaw, 25, issued a statement saying: “The council is still conducting their investigation and it would be wrong to say anything before they have concluded that investigation.”
It was unclear if the defective bolt contributed to the tragedy, the inquest heard.
It may have been damaged by emergency workers as they dashed to reach Sarah.
David Gill, zoo owner, said: “Sarah’s tragic death has affected all of us at the park and she’s greatly missed.”
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