The deputy mayor of a southwestern Ontario town says local residents long wanted to ban Norman Buwalda from keeping exotic animals on his property, long before the man was mauled to death by his pet tiger.

Norman Buwalda died at his residence in Southwold, Ont., after entering a cage to feed a 300-kilogram Siberian tiger that he kept on his property. A family member found his body in the cage and was able to lock the tiger in a separate portion of the cage.

Police say the tiger attacked and killed him. A post mortem examination is expected to take place Monday.

In total, Buwalda kept five wild cats -- including a lion and a cougar -- on his property.

Stan Lidster, the deputy mayor of the Township of Southwold, said that Buwalda was a "decent gentleman" who first raised the ire of his neighbours with the way he kept his animals several years ago.

Back then, he had "a couple of small tigers, and a cougar and a lion," Lidster told CTV News Channel during a telephone interview from Shedden, Ont.

"The lion was running with the dogs and the residents were concerned that when it grew up, it would still be running loose," he said. "But as far as I know, those animals had left the property, so all that was left was the tiger."

Buwalda's controversial animal keep also made the news in June 2004, when a 10-year-boy was mauled while taking a photograph of one of the tigers. The child survived, but suffered severe neck and head injuries.

In 2004, Buwalda won a two-year court battle with the town, which he claimed was abusing its power to have his animals removed from his property, Lidster said.

"We were fighting on behalf of the residents of Southwold to have those removed and unfortunately this is a terrible accident for Mr. Buwalda," said Lidster, making reference to the fatal incident on Sunday afternoon.

Neighbourhood resident Nicole Balogh was one of many people who helped pass a bylaw banning a person from owning an exotic animal. But Buwalda fought it successfully.

"We tried to get something done about the situation in general, but it was overthrown and there wasn't a whole lot we could do about it," said Balogh, who lives down the road and has two small children.

Lidster said it is likely that town council will have to consult with Buwalda's family to determine what happens to the tiger.

"I believe that the council will probably have a discussion on it," Lidster said, noting that it is likely that Buwalda's family will also be consulted.

Mayor James McIntyre told reporters on Sunday night that local council members would discuss the matter as early as Monday evening.

"I think we need to re-discuss this again as council and it will likely be brought up in open session tomorrow night as a new business item," McIntyre said.

P.S. - Seriously, Craziness to its max.. Why the hell you would keep a 300 Kg Tiger in your damn Backyard