Woman Breaks Into Zoo To Pet A Tiger And Things Go ... Wrong

This woman got more than her usual share of orange and black on Halloween when she decided to befriend a tiger.

Jacqueline Eide was out celebrating early Sunday morning when she got the brilliant idea to pet a big cat. So she broke into the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska, and approached a tiger believed to be Mai, an 18-year-old female who was brought to the zoo after losing one leg to a snare.

Unsurprisingly, Mai wasn't happy being pet, and attacked Eide's hand. A friend transported Eide to Creighton University Medical Center, where police were called after she became disruptive.

"Eide was aggressive toward staff and showed signs of intoxication of alcohol and/or drugs," the police said in a release.

But after questioning her, they began to realize just how strange this Halloween report was. "Through investigation, it was learned that Eide had made unauthorized entry into the Zoo to pet a tiger," police said. "When she reached into the cage, she was bitten causing severe trauma to her hand."

Eide was cited for criminal trespass and is currently being treated at the hospital. Considering the circumstances, fortunately it wasn't worse - though according to local ABC outlet KETV, she might lose parts of her fingers.

In the meantime, the zoo released a statement reassuring the public that safety at the park is of the utmost priority.

"The safety and security of our guests and animals are always a priority at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium," Dennis Pate, the zoo's executive director and CEO, said in a statement. "We have added security cameras, new path lighting and computer-controlled locks to track exit and entry. Additional path lighting is planned for the new African Grasslands exhibit and more cameras will be installed to monitor the grounds and gates."

"We will continue to keep security a top priority for Zoo guests and animals," he added.

The incident remains under investigation.