Nebraska woman wanted to pet zoo tiger, paid the price

OMAHA, Neb. - A 33-year-old woman is recovering from a severe hand injury after police say she broke into the Omaha Zoo to pet a tiger on Halloween.

Police said officers were called to Creighton University Medical Center around 7:20 a.m. Sunday after the woman, identified as Jacquline Eide, showed up with the hand injury

Officer James Shade says the woman acted aggressively and appeared to be intoxicated.

Police determined that the woman snuck into the zoo to try to pet a tiger. She was bitten when she reached into the animal's cage.

The woman was ticketed on suspicion of trespassing while she was being treated at the hospital Sunday.

In a statement, the zoo told CBS affilaite KMTV in Omaha they believe that Mai, an 18-year-old Malayan tiger, was involved in the incident.

"The safety and security of our guests and animals are always a priority at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium," said Dennis Pate, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium's executive director and CEO.