Hyena Attacks at East Texas Facility
Incident Date:
05/14/2026
Location:
Grand Saline, TX - USA
Facility Name:
Mystic Misfits
Facility Type:
Non-accredited Facility (RSZ)
Incident Category:
Escape/Attack resulting in human injury (HI)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Hyena
Animal disposition:
Other
Summary:
GRAND SALINE, TX – A hyena involved in an attack at an East Texas animal facility was being walked through a public area on a thin dog leash before a guest was seriously injured. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the incident happened Dec. 20, 2025, at Mystic Misfits in Grand Saline.
Inspectors say the adult female hyena was being handled in a manner similar to a pet dog, walking in a public area with direct access to guests. The USDA report states the facility allowed members of the public near the animal and directed one guest to stand beside the hyena for a photograph.
Federal officials say the hyena then bit through the leash, escaped the handler’s control and attacked the guest, causing a severe calf injury that required hospitalization.
Action take by Born Free USA:
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