SPEARFISH, S.D. — The US Department of Agriculture is determining whether an investigation is warranted into the death of a tiger that bit a western South Dakota wildlife sanctuary employee, an agency spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Officials will look into whether any noncompliance with federal law contributed to the incident at Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, said Tanya Espinosa, a spokeswoman for the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

A sanctuary employee reported to authorities late Monday that the tiger was loose. Authorities said an employee was bitten several times by the tiger, and a deputy fatally shot it to prevent it from escaping.

The bitten employee was hospitalized in fair condition.

The facility was established in 1999 to provide a home for animals from private owners, breeding facilities, and the entertainment industry. It is open to the public for tours.

Associated Press