Nevada's 'real-life Tiger King' arrested after 7 tigers seized - what he said about Joe Exotic connection has officials concerned

A 71-year-old Nevada man claimed seven tigers seized from his property were simply his "emotional support animals." What authorities discovered about their alleged connection to Netflix's infamous Joe Exotic has now triggered a criminal investigation.

Tigers in the Desert: The Raid That Shocked Neighbors

Authorities descended on Karl Mitchell's Pahrump, Nevada home Wednesday morning in a scene straight out of a Netflix documentary.

What they found was staggering: seven full-grown tigers living in enclosures on his rural property, approximately 60 miles west of Las Vegas.

Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill told local media that Mitchell had been flouting regulations for years, with disturbing reports of dangerous behavior.

"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," Sheriff McGill explained. "There have been social media posts from him with people interacting with the cats, which is also in violation."

Mitchell initially cooperated with deputies during the raid but allegedly refused to hand over keys to the tiger cages, preventing veterinarians and wildlife refuge workers from properly inspecting the animals.

This defiance led to his arrest on suspicion of resisting a peace officer.

The "Emotional Support" Defense That Didn't Work

In an extraordinary defense of his tiger ownership, Mitchell insisted to NBC affiliate KSNV that he didn't need permits because the big cats served as his emotional support animals.

He further claimed the public was never in danger from the animals.

Legal experts were quick to point out that the Americans with Disabilities Act does not recognize tigers as emotional support animals under any circumstances.

Court documents reveal this isn't Mitchell's first clash with authorities. Records filed as recently as 2020 show an ongoing battle between Mitchell and Nye County officials.

The county had repeatedly demanded Mitchell remove animals from his property, while Mitchell and his wife filed lawsuits seeking over $1 million in damages.

The Joe Exotic Connection That Raised Red Flags

What particularly alarmed investigators was Mitchell's claim about where the tigers originated.

In statements to local media, Mitchell alleged he had "rescued" the big cats from none other than Joseph Maldonado-Passage – better known as "Tiger King" Joe Exotic.

Maldonado-Passage is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence for a murder-for-hire plot targeting animal welfare activist Carole Baskin, along with multiple wildlife violations.

Authorities are now investigating the veracity of Mitchell's claims and how exactly these tigers might have been transferred from Oklahoma to Nevada.

The Concerning Conditions That Could Lead to More Charges

Beyond the permit violations and resistance charge, what investigators observed about the tigers' living conditions has prompted additional concern.

Sheriff McGill noted that several of the animals "visibly appeared to be underweight" and some of their water dishes had algae growing in them – potential signs of neglect.

Officials have indicated more charges could be forthcoming as they evaluate the animals' health and living conditions.

The seven tigers have been evaluated by veterinarians and transported to an undisclosed sanctuary where they'll remain pending court orders.

During the raid, deputies also discovered Mitchell was in possession of a handgun – illegal for him as a convicted felon – adding another charge to his growing legal troubles.

Mitchell was released on $6,000 bail the same day as his arrest and is scheduled to appear in court on May 15, according to court records.

Nye County District Attorney Brian Kunzi stated his office "has not received any report or request for prosecution" in connection with Mitchell yet, suggesting the investigation remains in its early stages.

As authorities continue their investigation into both the tigers' origins and Mitchell's care practices, animal welfare advocates are relieved the big cats are now receiving proper veterinary attention at a specialized sanctuary.