Nye County pushes for stricter exotic animal rules after tiger rescue

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Seven tigers seized from a Pahrump property on Wednesday have finally made their way to a refuge in Arkansas.

The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge nonprofit helped tranquilize and transport the animals to their sanctuary.

Authorities say the tigers were seized from "Big Cat Encounters" owner Karl Mitchell because he didn't currently have a permit.

He was arrested for resisting an officer and prohibited person possessing a firearm.

Mitchell bailed out Wednesday night and told News 3 in a jailhouse interview that he is able to keep the animals because they are his emotional support animals.

Nevada is one of three states that allow private owners to have exotic animals, with counties able to have stricter rules.

The Nye County Commission Chairman, Ron Boskovich, says he's working to change some county ordinances to make sure animals are being treated humanely.

He says Karl Mitchell is one of the reasons and believes Mitchell should never have been allowed to have seven tigers.

"I don't know why you would need 5,6,8, 10," said Boskovich. "But the problem is, if they're taken care of, then that's one thing. But if they're not, as these were not."

The tigers were all seized on Wednesday when the Nye County Sheriff's office, Code Enforcement, and Animal Services came to investigate.

"Mr. Mitchell, we have known for several years that, has had big cats on his property, and for the last two years, this has been in violation because he had no permits for those cats," said Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill.

To have exotic animals in the county, you need to apply for a conditional use permit, and that permit will include how many of these special animals you can have.

When it comes to cats and dogs, there is a limit of ten animals.

But Boskovich wants to limit the number to six, saying anything more can impact the conditions for the animals.

He used the investigation at Mitchell's property on Wednesday as an example.

"It was certainly not conditions amenable to full-size tigers, such as there were two that were so dehydrated they couldn't even draw blood," said Boskovich.

Mitchell denied having poor conditions for his big cats when speaking with News 3.

"I give them fresh water. The cages are more than adequate," said Mitchell.

News 3 asked why two of the tigers were described as being skinny by the Sheriff.

"They are not experts in tigers," Mitchell responded on Thursday, following his release.

Aside from limiting the number of animals, Boskovich also wants to require microchipping and incentivize spaying and neutering.

He believes backyard breeders are taking advantage of the number of animals currently allowed.

"I'm in support of people being able to have what they want, as long as they take care of them and they're treated as they should be," said Boskovich.

When it comes to breeding, he also wants to have limits on how long a female animal can breed and how many litters per year.

He says he's working with the Nye County District Attorney to get these ordinances changed.

He says it's long overdue.