Was Renee Radziwon-Chapman inside the cat cage alone? That’s a key question in the wake of her shocking death – apparently from a cougar attack at the WildCat Haven, a sanctuary for captive-born wildcats in Sherwood.

Newschannel 8 reports the animal shelter’s policy calls for “two qualified staff members” to work together “during the lock out of dangerous animals,” but the animal care technician may have been working alone.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue crews responded to a report Saturday evening that someone had been bitten. Later the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office indicated Radziwon-Chapman, 36, died from injuries “consistent with what would be from a wild animal” around 7 p.m. In a statement on the sanctuary’s website, Executive Director Cheryl Tuller said Radziwon-Chapman was one of WildCat Haven’s most dedicated staff members, and that members of the organization are devastated. An investigation is underway.

Rebecca Webb
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