Man Attacked by Zebra Sues for Workers' Compensation
By Sophia Brink
Published on January 31, 2008
According to the lawsuit, Rich Miller, 40, who worked at the Shell Factory and Nature Park in North Fort Myers, was kicked by a 400-pound zebra on Nov. 9.
Miller claims that the park's management had ordered him to teach the zebra to walk on a lead. He allegedly warned them that the zebra was dangerous.
The lawsuit claims that Miller had just removed the zebra’s harness and was turning to walk away when the zebra kicked him.
After he visited the emergency room, doctors told Miller that he had acute nerve damage in his lower back, according to the suit.
Another former animal handler of the park, Bill Shreve III, claims that he was kicked by the same zebra. He was fired Nov. 24.
Park entertainment director Pam Cronin stands behind the decision to fire Miller, and says that although careful measures are taken to protect the park staff, accidents are inevitable.
Approximately two months after the attack on Miller, the zebra escaped from a trailer en route to a North Carolina breeder.
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