The tiger shouldn't have been put down. People shouldn't tease others whether it be other human beings or animals. I won't go and 'tease' a 6'5" man built like a brick shithouse. I wouldn't 'tease' a massive tiger either.
Also, a 20/30ft wall isn't a safe enclosure. Cats can jump that quite easily, especially when provoked.
If someone teases another human being or animal, they deserve to be punished for their insults/provocations. Whether it be a punch in the face from another man or an attack by a tiger. It's really stupid to get close to a tiger and even stupider to throw stones etc at it. When I'm at a zoo I stay well away from the big cats.
About 'they didn't know better': of course they did. I doubt those kids would start a fight with the toughest bully at school. They know they'd get twatted. But because it's just an animal it's okay? See what happens
So in my view the people provoking the tiger were in the wrong. The enclosure could be more secure but how many years has that enclosure been there and how many tigers have escaped in that time? It's close to zero if I remember rightly.
When you insult a man, he's going to run after you. When you threaten a tiger, he's going to jump over the wall and defend himself.
Addendum:
According to the paper there were pinecones and sticks in the cage. Possibly thrown in ??? I go to that zoo at least once a month and the cages NEVER have such things in them. In fact the Animals usually don't even pay heed to the public unless someone bothers them. Its really sad that the young man lost his life but why did his friends lie to his parents when they called the boys looking for their soon to be deceased son two hours before the attack ??? The boys who had Carlos with them lied and said they didn't know where he was ??? Three boys and two have police records and seem like jerks seem to me the type to harass animals. Those Tigers in 12 years have never bothered or paid any attention to me while I looked at them. Even when little kids were crying or making a scene the animals were docile. I really feel for the kid that died but I feel the other two have a lot to tell and we haven't heard the truth yet. Animals are wild , yes, but they are used to people looking at them not bothering them.
Taken from:
Amazon.com: Customer Discussions: The San Francisco Tiger- provoked?
Seems the majority opinion is in favour of the tiger. Two of the MEN also had police records.
Reading more into it. Two of them were fucking 19 and 23! I'm 22 and I've known for many years not to fuck with wild animals. Especially big ones. Also the attorneys have been called and the people involved are not talking. It's ridiculous.