WorkSafe New Zealand has announced it will be prosecuting the Hamilton City Council over the death of zookeeper Samantha Kudeweh in September last year.
Mrs Kudeweh died after she was attacked by male Sumatran tiger, Oz, while carrying out duties inside the animal enclosure.
The charge laid by WorkSafe alleges the council breached Section 6 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 by failing to take all practical steps to ensure Mrs Kudeweh was not exposed to hazards arising out of working with the Sumatran tiger "Oz" in her place of work.
The charge was filed today in the Hamilton District Court.
A date for a first appearance has not been set. It carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
