Why Zoos Throw Tiny Dogs Into Lion Cages

The little sausage dog wondered into the enclosure and caught the lion off guard as it stood frozen in its tracks. No one could stop the large cat as it slowly approached the oblivious dog.

Onlooked were panicked and expected the worst as they watched the lion with wide eyes. It locked its eyes on the nervous dog and sniffed at it. But then it did something that no one saw coming.

Raising Bonedigger

John Reinke never saw this moments coming when he first decided to take the new lion cub into the sanctuary for big cats.

John started raising Bonedigger when he was still small Speaking about is relationship with him, John said, “He won’t hurt me because I’ve been with him from day one. You do have to keep your guard up.

You’ve always got to remember that they are natural stalkers.”

Needs Help

Initially John took Bonedigger in at Wynnewood, Oklahoma’s G.W. Interactive Zoological Park. He made the decision after finding out that that veterinarians determined that he wouldn’t be able to fend for himself in the wild and on his own. John knew he had to help him.

This turn of events lead to the lion’s intimidating name, along with the dread John felt when the small pup found itself in front of its massive claws.

Devastating Disadvantage

Bonedigger had been diagnosed with a metabolic bone disease that caused his bones to grow abnormally. The disease meant that his bones were brittle and fragile.

He was put at a serious disadvantage because of this, it meant that he couldn’t live out in the wild. John had to make sure he was doing okay at all times.

Joe Exotic

John was a park manager at a notorious zoo, and he was often asked to put out a fair share of fires.

The park got more and more popular. A lot more people were showing up to see Joe “Tiger King” Exotic’s big cat stunts. But soon, they started attracting a different kind of client. John had to keep these people at bay.