Ohio High School Football Team Gets Live Tiger Mascot for Season Opener

An Ohio high school football team that's had a live tiger cub at games for decades has kicked off the season with its traditional mascot, even though the boosters haven't proved they'd meet stricter state rules for keeping exotic animals.

The Independent reports that boosters for Massillon's Washington High School displayed a cub in a cage at Thursday's game against Perry. Club president Matt Keller wouldn't say where the animal came from or who paid for its appearance, and he says it would be premature to assume the tiger will be at future games.

New rules were adopted by the state after a suicidal man released dozens of dangerous animals in 2011. A Department of Agriculture spokeswoman tells The Associated Press the Massillon boosters haven't provided all requested documentation to prove they'd meet those rules.

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Information from: The Independent, http://www.indeonline.com

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