Emotional Support Tigers
Some people say we are pushing the “Emotional Support Animal” program too far. They might try to claim outlandish animals as their companions, or hoard animals under the guise of “emotional support.” Nevada authorities recently arrested Karl Mitchell as he refused to relinquish what he claimed are his emotional support animals. That might sound cruel when you first hear it, but his critters were decidedly unusual. Mitchell owned seven tigers, but Mitchell reportedly lacked the proper permits to keep the big cats. Allegedly: some of the tigers were also underfed and kept in unsuitable conditions. No charges have yet been filed against Mitchell, and he intends to get his tigers back. Mitchell, 71, lives on a property located in “Pahrump,” Nevada. He has been clashing with the local authorities over the tigers for quite some time. It’s unclear when and how Mitchell acquired the animals. According to NBC News, six of his seven tigers are rescues from “Tiger King” Joe Exotic of Netflix fame, who is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence. For their part, Nevada authorities have been aware of the animals for several years. According to them, he hasn’t always kept them as secure as the state would like. “We have received information over the years that he has been seen walking the tigers loose around the property and off the property in the desert. There have been social media posts from him with people interacting with the cats,” he added.
Nevada doesn’t prohibit private citizens from owning tigers. However, they do need a special conditions animal permit to do so. Mitchell does not have that permit. That said, he claims he doesn’t need one — the tigers are his emotional support animals. The act lists acceptable animals, and tigers (shockingly) do not appear anywhere in the text. “I’m a 100% disabled veteran with PTSD. The [Department of Veterans’ Affairs] and my doctors have approved the tigers to work as support animals,” he said. Even if Mitchell did have some papers for the tigers, he’s still lacking the official special conditions permit. That has been a point of contention between him and state authorities since at least 2020. Nevada has been trying to seize the tigers for years. On April 2, officials finally raided his property.
Police reports state that Mitchell initially accompanied the sheriff’s deputies as they walked around his property. When it came time to take the tigers away, however, he refused, and was taken in for resisting arrest. That and the cops also reportedly found a handgun in Mitchell’s possession. As a convicted felon, he’s prohibited from owning guns. In the end, Mitchell was released on a $6,000 bail the same day. The tigers, however, have reportedly been taken to an undisclosed out-of-state sanctuary to wait while any potential prosecution plays out.
Tiger trouble
Did you hear the news Robert Kennedy, Jr. killed Tony the Tiger?
He’s a cereal killer.
Why do tigers have stripes?
They don’t want to be spotted.
The King of the Jungle said he was a tiger.
He’s a lion.
Pretend you’re in a jungle, what do you do if a tiger is chasing you and catching up to you?
Stop pretending.
April 24th Birthdays
1982 – Kelly Clarkson, 1934 – Shirley MacLaine, 1977 – Jessica Chastain, 1998 – Autuma Wendel,
1993 – Joe Kerry, 1995 – Jordan Fisher , 1976 – Peyton Manning, 1977 – Phil Robertson