Mauled woman says cheetah attack ‘no big deal’

updated 9:47 a.m. ET March 31, 2008

WELLINGTON, Fla. - A woman mauled by two cheetahs at the wildlife refugee she owns in Florida said the attack was not a big deal.

Judy Berens said she only needed a few stitches, a couple of staples and antibiotics from the attack on Saturday. She expected to be released from the hospital Monday and return to work.

Berens owns the Panther Ridge Conservation Center for exotic cats in Wellington, Fla.

She was conducting an exhibition with two cheetahs on Saturday when one of the cats got excited by a bouncing ball.

The cheetah then pounced on her and began biting and clawing her, said Gabriella Ferraro, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman. At some point the other cheetah attacked her as well, Ferraro said.

Several people entered the enclosure and rescued her, authorities said.

Ferraro said the cheetahs remain on the property in cages.

Wildlife officers are investigating the attack, but so far it appears there no violations and no laws were broken, Ferraro said.

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