In a recent operation in Pahrump, Nye County, Nevada, local authorities confiscated seven tigers from a residential property and arrested the owner, identified as Karl Mitchell. The seizure was conducted due to the owner’s failure to obtain the necessary permits to keep the large felines.

Details of the Incident

The Nye County Sheriff’s Department initially aimed only to remove the tigers without taking any legal action against Mitchell. However, during the encounter, Mitchell allegedly made threatening comments to the deputies and engaged in a physical struggle with them. Consequently, he was apprehended and taken into custody.

“Our intention was to seize the cats, number one for public safety, number two for the safety of the cats. And then he struggled with the deputy,” said Sheriff Joe McGill during an interview with FOX 5 Vegas.

Owner’s Defense

Mitchell defended his actions, claiming that he had cared for the tigers for seven years and described them as his “emotional support animals.” In a controversial assertion, he stated that some of the tigers were acquired from Joe Exotic, a figure made infamous by the Netflix documentary series “Tiger King.” However, Joe Exotic, currently serving a prison sentence, publicly rejected these claims on social media.

The Tigers’ Future

The tigers have been relocated to a sanctuary beyond Nevada state lines while the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are evaluating the circumstances surrounding the ownership and care of the tigers to ensure their well-being and public safety.