Mauled woman says cheetah attack ‘no big deal’

She expects to be back to work Monday after treatment for injuries

Video

Florida 'cat woman' attacked by two of her pets
March 31: A woman in Wellington, Fla., is in the hospital after being attacked Saturday night by two cheetahs in her care. WPTV's Marci Gonzalez reports.

NBC News Channel

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.

Story continues below ↓

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.