HENRY COUNTY, GA (RNN) - You never know what you're going to encounter on the morning commute in the Atlanta metro area.
A tiger was on the loose near I-75 Wednesday morning.
It had been spotted on the northbound lanes of the interstate, WGCL reported. Police told a reporter with WSB that the animal was "down" and later confirmed it was dead.
Police would not tell @AudreyWSBTV whether the tiger is dead or tranquilized -- just that tiger is "down." @wsbtv @MarkArum https://t.co/eHraGjztNs
— Kimberly Page (@ProducerLadyWSB) September 6, 2017
A man said that the tiger jumped the fence onto his property and tried to attack his dog, WSB said.
"I didn't know what to think," he said. "It's not every day you see a tiger in your back yard."
Just interviewed the man who spotted the Tiger. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/aKDjPE28Om
— Audrey Washington (@AudreyWSBTV) September 6, 2017
Henry County police closed an interstate ramp searching for the tiger, 11Alive traffic reported.
WOW...ARE YOU READY? Henry Co. PD closed the Jodeco Ramp from I-75 while they look for a TIGER! #MorningRushATL pic.twitter.com/pjzam542i6
— TrafficTrackers (@11AliveTraffic) September 6, 2017
Authorities shot it out of concern for human life, according to Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary. Police had contacted the animal sanctuary in hopes that they could help catch the tiger.
"We responded immediately and were on the way to the scene with hopes of chemically immobilizing the tiger and bringing it to Noah's Ark. Unfortunately, human life became at-risk and the tiger was shot by the authorities," the animal sanctuary posted.
All of Noah's Ark's tigers are accounted for.
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