The big cat was spotted walking down I-75 on Wednesday morning.
A tiger stopped traffic — literally — as he was spotted roaming a Georgia highway Wednesday morning.
The unusual sight prompted concerned witnesses to call authorities, who told WGCL they arrived to the scene to find the beast hopping a fence and into a private residence.
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Officers, fearing lives were in danger as residents woke up to start their day, shot the tiger rather than risk waiting for animal control experts to arrive with tranquilizers.
As the school day approached, officers also said they didn't want any children to be in danger as they waited at their bus stops.
What's more, an area resident told reporters the tiger pounced on her dog at one point.
Brittney Speck lives in the area and says her dog is okay but shaken.
It wasn't immediately clear where the tiger came from. While some guessed it was an escapee from the nearby Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary, the facility released a statement saying its tigers were all accounted for.
Noah's Ark also affirmed officers' decision to kill the tiger.
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"Noah's Ark was contacted by Henry County Police with reports of a loose tiger on I-75," the sanctuary said in a statement. "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.
"All of our tigers are accounted for. Thank you to the officers for trying their best to bring this animal to safety."
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