The family of an animal keeper at WildCat Haven Sanctuary has filed a $6 million lawsuit against the Sherwood-area sanctuary for a November 2013 cougar attack that killed the woman.

The lawsuit, filed last week in Multnomah County Circuit Court, faults the sanctuary for assigning Renee Radziwon-Chapman to work alone the day before and the day of her death on Nov. 9, 2013. Radziwon-Chapman died after she was mauled by a cougar or cougars in the cage she was cleaning.

Radziwon-Chapman apparently had tried to lock up the three cougars that lived in the enclosure before she entered, but was unable to do so, authorities said at the time.

Radziwon-Chapman, 36, lived in Portland. At the time of her death, the sanctuary had more than 60 large cats. It is not open to the public.

“The wildlife sanctuary ... had numerous wild animals that were extremely dangerous, including tigers, cougars, servals, caracals, bobcats, lynx, and other members of the cat family,” the suit states.

Radziwon-Chapman “had voiced on multiple occasions her concerns about being left alone with the wild animals,” the suit says.

Radziwon-Chapman sent a text message to one of the owners with that concern and the owner “reassured her that she would not be left alone with the cats,” according to the suit.

Renee Radziwon-Chapman, 36, (seen here with her daughter, Noa Elise Chapman).

“Written and oral protocols” required two employees to be present during cage cleaning and maintenance, the suit states. But on the day of Radziwon-Chapman’s death, one of the owners assigned a helper to work at new property where the sanctuary planned to move, according to the suit.

The lawsuit lists WildCat Haven Inc. and owners Michael and Cheryl Tuller as defendants. The Tullers did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment Tuesday.

The suit faults them for allegedly allowing Radziwon-Chapman to work alone, failing to maintain adequate locks and latches on cages and failing to properly train employees.

Michael Tuller found Radziwon-Chapman’s body, authorities said at the time. She had “multiple bite and claw injuries,” the suit says.

The lawsuit seeks:

$1.5 million for Radziwon-Chapman’s pain and suffering as she was being mauled.

$3.75 million the “loss of society and companionship” of Radziwon-Chapman’s husband, daughter and parents.

$50,000 for lost earnings from Radziwon-Chapman in the past year, and $750,000 for future lost earnings.

About $9,700 in funeral and burial expenses.

In March, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division fined the sanctuary $5,600 for two serious violations leading up to Radziwon-Chapman's death.

At that time, WildCat Haven said in a statement that the problems identified by OSHA had been fixed.

Attorneys J. Randolph Pickett, Jeffrey Bowersox and Todd Newlin are representing Radziwon-Chapman’s estate.

-- Aimee Green