Deborah J. Shelley rescued Michele R. Roddy from an attacking jaguar, Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 21, 1988. At a zoo, Mrs. Roddy, 29, had entered the cage of a 55-pound, seven-month-old jaguar to play with it. After several minutes, she was attacked by the jaguar, and she called for help. Miss Shelley, 35, zookeeper, immediately entered the cage, moved to the jaguar, and began to push it off Mrs. Roddy. The jaguar let go of Mrs. Roddy and began to attack Miss Shelley, biting her right leg, as Mrs. Roddy fled the cage. Miss Shelley was clawed and bitten continuously as she moved to the door of the cage, from which she then escaped. Mrs. Roddy was treated at the hospital for lacerations, which required suturing. Miss Shelley was hospitalized five days for her injuries, which included lacerations and puncture wounds to her right arm, hand, and leg, and a fractured and lacerated left thumb, which required surgery. She recovered in three months.
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