LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Seven tigers were seized from a private residence in Pahrump on Wednesday morning, leading to the arrest of Karl Mitchell, the owner of Big Cats Entertainment, for resisting arrest.
Mitchell, who claims to have rescued six of the tigers from Joe Exotic, the infamous figure from the “Tiger King” series, said he loves his animals and believes he has the right to keep them at his home despite allegations from authorities.
Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill said that the community was aware of Mitchell’s tigers.
“We have received information over the years that he has been seen walking the tigers loose around the property, off the property in the desert,” McGill said. “There have been social media posts from him with people interacting with the cats, which is also in violation.”
In an exclusive jailhouse interview with News 3 following his arrest, Mitchell defended his actions, stating:
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“The animals did not deserve to be snatched up, knocked out with drugs shipped across the country when they were happy and content where they had lived for more than 10 years.”
He explained that his tigers serve as his emotional support animals …
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