I used to work with large cats (Lions) and I really have to wonder

[Dawggie]

what in the hell this animal's trainers were doing to allow such a thing.

I saw film of a trainer playing tug-of-war with a Bengal and I can't think of anything worse to do. These large cats are surprisingly intelligent and when raised around humans will often pick one as the alpha cat. They are dangerous animals and should be respected, but this whole thing does not make sense. I used to have great fun wrestling with young cubs with weights up to 175 pounds, but no one else in the group could do so without chance of injury (which was usually some nice long scratches). (I used to be with a group that would take lions from petting zoos and prepare them for reintroduction to populated preserves. There's a few of them that in 6 months became as close as any dog I have ever had).

If there were experienced handlers there, I feel this recent tragedy could have been avoided.

Just like the terrible incident with Seigfreid and Roy, the cause could be brought back to human error.