Keenesburg – A Bengal tiger with a deformed leg that was treated last month by veterinary surgeons at the University of Missouri-Columbia has died.
The tiger named Sulley recently had returned to his home at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, northeast of Denver, to heal from the surgery that had reoriented his leg bones, with the hope that he eventually would walk without limping.
Sulley had been abused as a cub, and surgeons said his condition was comparable to rickets. Malnutrition had caused his bones to become deformed, and it was increasingly hard for his front legs to support his body, which brought on joint malformations, arthritis and pain.
Toni Scalera, a spokeswoman for the sanctuary, said Sulley’s death Saturday night was related to complications after the surgery. Orthopedic hardware was not able to support his size and weight during recovery, according to a news release from the sanctuary.
However, surgeons said that without the surgery, his condition would have worsened and he would probably have been put to sleep within a year.
“Every possible option was considered by the sanctuary and Sulley’s doctors to save his life,” Scalera said.
Sulley once traveled the fair and carnival circuit with four other tiger cubs. When the cubs became too large, they were sold to a New Orleans handler who kept the animals in his car and displayed them in parking lots.
Two of the cubs died under his care, and the local chapter of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rescued the others in 2004, according to the University of Missouri-Columbia.
CORTEZ
Shooting suspect’s truck found in Ariz.
The truck belonging to Herman Tsosie – wanted in connection with his wife’s fatal shooting – was found by authorities Sunday, according to the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office.
Anita Tsosie, 48, was shot to death at her home April 9.
Her 54-year-old husband was last driving a white 1995 Ford F-350 4-door crew cab truck that was found Sunday in Rock Point, Ariz., about 90 minutes from Cortez.
Undersheriff Dave Hart said a helicopter was sent into the mountains of Rock Point to search for Tsosie.
Anita Tsosie was an award-winning Navajo weaver whose work appeared on a U.S. Postal Service stamp.
The Tsosies’ divorce became final the day after she was killed, according to court records.
DENVER
Identity released in fatal shooting
A man who was shot to death Friday night in Denver was identified Monday as 31-year-old Christian Muse.
The Denver coroner’s office determined that Muse died at Denver Health Medical Center from multiple gunshot wounds after he was shot in the 3200 block of Olive Street.
The shooting happened after 10:30 p.m. Police have not made an arrest in the case.
LONGMONT
Smith posts bond in cop-assault allegation
A Boulder County judge allowed Gil Dwayne Smith to post $10,000 bond on Monday and ordered that he undergo pretrial supervision and substance-abuse monitoring, according to the Boulder County district attorney’s office.
The 44-year-old Longmont man was arrested Friday on allegations he assaulted a Longmont police officer while being booked on suspicion of drunken driving after a crash.
Smith was convicted of child abuse resulting in death after his 2-year-old son Shay Smith drowned while being towed behind his father’s boat on Carter Lake last year. In January, he began serving 60 weekend days in jail and was sentenced to five years of probation.
Smith, who authorities say was drinking at the time Shay drowned, is not allowed to drink alcohol under the terms of his probation for that conviction.
DENVER
Ejections at Bush talk justified, lawyers say
White House officials have the right to exclude dissenters from appearances by President Bush, according to lawyers for volunteers who helped eject three people from a hall where Bush was about to speak.
Defense attorneys made the argument last week in a civil lawsuit filed against Michael Casper and Jay Bob Klinkerman. The suit was filed by Leslie Weise and Alex Young of Denver, who were told to leave just before Bush was to talk about his plans for Social Security at the March 21, 2005, taxpayer-funded event in Denver.
Weise and Young argue they were ejected for their political views. They had arrived in a car bearing a “No blood for oil” bumper sticker. They were also wearing T-shirts saying “Stop the lies” under their clothes but did not show them.
They have said they had no plans to disrupt the event, but Young hoped to ask Bush a question if given the opportunity.
Casper and Klinkerman’s lawyers said the government has the same rights as a private corporation when its officials speak.
WELD COUNTY
Man found dead near I-25 identified
The body of a transient found dead on a frontage road near Interstate 25 was identified as 59-year-old Richard Moore, said Margie Martinez, spokeswoman for the Weld County sheriff.
The body was noticed by a passing motorist early Sunday north of the Mead exit.
Moore had lived in several states, Martinez said.
An official cause of death has not been released, but Martinez said the death appears natural.
GOLDEN
Thief of retirees’ ring gets 8-year sentence
Nicholas J. Naranjo, 21, of Denver, was sentenced Monday to eight years in prison for robbing a 71-year-old retired firefighter of a $46,000 diamond ring made for his wife on their 50th wedding anniversary.
Ray and Wanda Crosby decided to sell the ring, which took their life savings, so they advertised it in The Denver Post. Naranjo called and offered to pay the asking price of $36,000.
Ray Crosby met Naranjo at a Taco Bell restaurant. Naranjo asked to see the ring and then ran away with it, court documents show, but Crosby, who is on oxygen, could not pursue him.
COPPER MOUNTAIN
Day care shut after child-abuse reports
A ski-area day-care center has been closed and four employees suspended following allegations of child abuse, officials said Monday.
The Colorado Department of Human Services ordered the the Pumpkin Patch day-care center shut, and the Summit County sheriff’s department is questioning three unidentified female employees accused in the case and a supervisor who is accused of not reporting the allegations promptly.
The resort issued a statement that the parents of the alleged victims have been notified.
