This bizarre tiger case has a twist straight out of the Joe Exotic playbook
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It sounds like something straight out of a binge-worthy docuseries: seven tigers, kept in a residential backyard, seized by law enforcement under dramatic circumstances.
Even more eyebrow-raising? The owner claimed they were his emotional support animals—and linked them to none other than Joe Exotic of Tiger King fame.
But this wild Nevada saga isn’t fiction. It’s a very real and troubling case that’s stirring debates about exotic animal ownership, mental health, and the limits of emotional support claims.
Animal welfare officers, with support from the Nye County Sheriff's Office, arrived at the Pahrump home of 71-year-old Karl Mitchell last Wednesday.
Located just outside Death Valley National Park, the home was concealing a surprise no one expected: seven full-grown tigers held in cages.
Mitchell, a self-described big cat handler, claimed that six of the tigers had once belonged to Joe Exotic.
However, Exotic, speaking from prison, was quick to deny the connection.
“None of these tigers came from me,” he said in a recorded voice message, urging people to “do your research” before dragging his name into more headlines.
During the seizure, Mitchell became visibly upset, reportedly fearing the tigers would be euthanized.
At first cooperative, he later resisted officers’ instructions to enter a SWAT vehicle—prompting deputies to use physical force.
A subsequent search of his home revealed a firearm, a violation of Mitchell’s status as a felon, though the exact details of his past convictions weren’t disclosed.
Mitchell was arrested and later released the same evening. His emotional connection to the tigers wasn’t just anecdotal—he has publicly stated that they help him manage PTSD.
According to documents from a 2019 permit hearing, a Veterans Affairs psychiatrist had even supported their use as emotional support animals.
The seven big cats have been relocated to an undisclosed sanctuary, where they remain under veterinary care.
A court decision will ultimately determine their fate and whether they’ll stay permanently or be rehomed again.
This isn’t Mitchell’s first encounter with authorities over his animals. In 2010, he was ordered to pay over $68,000 in civil penalties for illegally exhibiting tigers and blocking inspections.
In 2019, Nye County granted him a special animal permit—under strict guidelines. He wasn’t allowed to exhibit the animals and could only transport them for medical needs, and only with prior notification to authorities.
The current status of that permit remains unclear.
Cases like this shine a light on the complex—and sometimes controversial—intersection of mental health treatment and exotic animal ownership.
While emotional support animals can be beneficial, using wild predators like tigers poses ethical and legal challenges.
As public fascination with exotic pets grows, so do the risks.
Wild animals require specialized care, secure housing, and often, more resources than any individual can reasonably provide.
Their needs—and the public’s safety—must remain central to the conversation.
Read more:
Do you think wild animals like tigers can ever truly serve as emotional support companions? Should private citizens be allowed to own exotic species under mental health exemptions? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your experiences or opinions in the comments below.
Even more eyebrow-raising? The owner claimed they were his emotional support animals—and linked them to none other than Joe Exotic of Tiger King fame.
But this wild Nevada saga isn’t fiction. It’s a very real and troubling case that’s stirring debates about exotic animal ownership, mental health, and the limits of emotional support claims.
Animal welfare officers, with support from the Nye County Sheriff's Office, arrived at the Pahrump home of 71-year-old Karl Mitchell last Wednesday.
Located just outside Death Valley National Park, the home was concealing a surprise no one expected: seven full-grown tigers held in cages.
A home in Nevada was concealing a surprise no one expected: seven full-grown tigers held in cages. Image source: NBC News / YouTube
Mitchell, a self-described big cat handler, claimed that six of the tigers had once belonged to Joe Exotic.
However, Exotic, speaking from prison, was quick to deny the connection.
“None of these tigers came from me,” he said in a recorded voice message, urging people to “do your research” before dragging his name into more headlines.
During the seizure, Mitchell became visibly upset, reportedly fearing the tigers would be euthanized.
At first cooperative, he later resisted officers’ instructions to enter a SWAT vehicle—prompting deputies to use physical force.
A subsequent search of his home revealed a firearm, a violation of Mitchell’s status as a felon, though the exact details of his past convictions weren’t disclosed.
Mitchell was arrested and later released the same evening. His emotional connection to the tigers wasn’t just anecdotal—he has publicly stated that they help him manage PTSD.
According to documents from a 2019 permit hearing, a Veterans Affairs psychiatrist had even supported their use as emotional support animals.
The seven big cats have been relocated to an undisclosed sanctuary, where they remain under veterinary care.
A court decision will ultimately determine their fate and whether they’ll stay permanently or be rehomed again.
This isn’t Mitchell’s first encounter with authorities over his animals. In 2010, he was ordered to pay over $68,000 in civil penalties for illegally exhibiting tigers and blocking inspections.
In 2019, Nye County granted him a special animal permit—under strict guidelines. He wasn’t allowed to exhibit the animals and could only transport them for medical needs, and only with prior notification to authorities.
The current status of that permit remains unclear.
Cases like this shine a light on the complex—and sometimes controversial—intersection of mental health treatment and exotic animal ownership.
While emotional support animals can be beneficial, using wild predators like tigers poses ethical and legal challenges.
As public fascination with exotic pets grows, so do the risks.
Wild animals require specialized care, secure housing, and often, more resources than any individual can reasonably provide.
Their needs—and the public’s safety—must remain central to the conversation.
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