Florida fair tiger trainer dragged in the animal's mouth in front of children

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Trainer Vicenta Pages was performing a show in front of children at the Pensacola Interstate Fair on Tuesday when the tiger grabbed her
She is seen hitting the tiger with a rod as the animal grabs her leg and drags her across the enclosure
Pages' partner then enters the cage and hits the tiger with a rod until the animal releases the woman
She suffered lacerations to her leg. Fair officials say she was not bitten
Pages was taken to hospital and the tiger show has been cancelled
The tiger appears unharmed in the footage afterwards

By Associated Press Reporter and Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 08:43 EST, 27 October 2016 | Updated: 12:24 EST, 27 October 2016

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A tiger trainer at a Florida fair had to be rushed to hospital on Tuesday after being clawed on the legs by a tiger as children looked on.

Pensacola Interstate Fair spokesperson Katie King told the Pensacola News Journal that trainer Vicenta Pages suffered several cuts when a two-year-old Bengal tiger named Gandhi clawed her legs.

The spokesperson said Pages' partner rushed to help the trainer, madly hitting the tiger with a rod. The incident was captured on video by an onlooker.

Attack: This is the moment the tiger grabs the female trainer and refuses to let her go during a show at the Pensacola State Fair on Tuesday, as children watched on

The trainer, Vincenta Pages, is dragged across the enclosure by the tiger, as her partner tries to get the animal to release her

Finally, after being hit with a rod, the tiger lets the woman go. She suffered lacerations to her leg and need surgery

The footage shows Pages being dragged across the enclosure by the tiger as her partner tries to stop the animal. Children can be seen in the video on the other side of the fence.

Pages was reportedly performing a show in front of children on a school trip at the time of the incident. However she stood up unassisted and talked to the children before going to a hospital. King said that Pages wasn't bitten, but grazed.

The fair was closed at the time and no children were hurt during the field trip showing. The White Tiger Show was canceled for the remainder of the fair, which runs through Sunday.

Animal Control officials weren't called, and King says the tiger won't be harmed.

Injured: Vincenta Pages is seen assessing her injuries after the attack (left). She underwent surgery after being injured by a tiger at the Pensacola Interstate Fair Tuesday

After the attack, the tiger perches on a stand. He seems unharmed, despite all the beatings

Scene: The tiger show was cancelled following the attack. Here an ambulance is seen arriving at the fair

'We're dealing with wild animals here and although we take every precaution, accidents like this sometimes happen,' David Donnert, Pages' fiancé and co-owner of the tiger show, said in a statement to ABC News.

'We know the hazards of our job, but we love these beautiful animals and Vicenta will be back as soon as she's able.'

In a press release, fair officials said the video shot by an audience member provides a different account of the incident. The fair remains open through Sunday but the tiger show has been cancelled.

Professional: According to reports, Vincenta Pages has worked with tigers for 16 years

'Fair officials did not witness the incident and relied upon an account statement provided by Pages White Tiger Show when responding to press inquiries. The fair apologizes for any misinformation,' the release said.

'The Pensacola Interstate Fair does not condone the mistreatment of animals.

'The show has been canceled for the remainder of the fair. All other entertainment acts and exhibits will continue as scheduled.'