LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Karl Mitchell is now trying to figure out how he can get back several tigers seized from his property Wednesday.
That morning, Nye County Sheriff’s Office deputies served Mitchell a search warrant and seized the animals. Mitchell would be arrested for resisting an officer, and later released in the evening.
“This is our whole life… my whole life,” Mitchell said.
Only FOX5 was there at the Nye Co. Detention Center when Mitchell was released and reunited with his fiancée Catherine Griffiths.
Griffiths shared video with FOX5 of deputies arriving at their home before the seizure. During the tigers’ removal, Mitchell shared that he had to comfort Griffiths as she became emotional about the tigers being sedated.
“She has epilepsy and I was trying to keep her from going into an epileptic seizure,” Mitchell said.
Griffiths also pointed out a mark on Mitchell’s head, claiming it was a result of being slammed down by deputies.
Victoria Saha: Karl I know it’s been a long day I can see how much you love your animals why do you think it got to this situation?
Mitchell: It got this way because it’s real simple… The animal rights people in this country… Carol Baskin and all those types of people… made it so that people like me who have animals have a hard way to go. This is the thing ― they just hate me.
Saha: Why do you think so?
Mitchell: Because I am smart enough in this world to not do anything wrong. I have an emotional support animal I have from the VA. I went to Vietnam for this f****** country and they turn around and do this.
The couple shared a 2024 letter from Mitchell’s VA doctor, which reads: “he had been prescribed an emotional support animal, specifically his tiger(s)”.
However, Nye County tells FOX5 Mitchell was required to have an active Conditional Use Permit and an active Title 6 permit for “Special Conditions Animals.”
We also asked Nye County if Mitchell had permits identifying the tigers as emotional support or service animals, and they said he did not.
According to the county, a service animal or an emotional support animal still would not supersede the county code.
RELATED: Pahrump man claimed tigers were service animals, court documents reveal
Saha: Are you saying that all seven of the tigers are your emotional support animals?
Mitchell: Yes, I am allowed to. I can have 70.
While Mitchell was at the detention center, his fiancée Griffiths was also put in handcuffs after she said she became upset and began recording officials giving one of the tigers ketamine.
“These people have no f****** compassion,” Mitchell said.
Sheriff Joe McGill told FOX5 there were reports of Mitchell threatening to release the tigers if officials came after him.
However, Mitchell denies that.
“That is not true, why would I ever do that? There were threats being made alright, but they were not about the tigers,” Mitchell said.
Saha: What were the threats, if you want to emphasize?
Mitchell: Threats that they would be sued.
Saha: So you never made threats to release the tigers if they came after you or them?
Mitchell: No, but it makes good copy… Those are my babies. I wouldn’t want to do something with them when these f***** would shoot them.
As the tigers make their way to an Arkansas sanctuary, Mitchell says he will fight to get them back.
“This story ain’t over,” Mitchell said.
FOX5 spoke to Mitchell on the phone Thursday and he emphasized how hard it was to be back home without his tigers.
Mitchell is currently not facing any charges related to the tigers.
A vet with Nye County said the tigers seemed to be in good condition, however, there were concerns about their living condition.
However, Mitchell told FOX5, the tigers always had water and were well-fed.
READ MORE: Wildlife rescue sheds light on what’s next for tigers seized from Pahrump
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