An empty lot is shown at the corner of Paradise Rd and Convention Center Dr Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021.
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 | 9:38 p.m.
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Magician Jay Owenhouse is seeking permits from Clark County for a show on a lot near Paradise Road and Convention Center Drive, where his three tigers, part of the performance, would be housed in a temperature-controlled facility.
Some advocates say keeping the animals outdoors in the Las Vegas summer heat would be cruel and are urging the Clark County Commission on Jan. 19 to strike down the proposal. Others say the show would be an economic boost and are asking the commission to approve.
Roughly 250 people attended a virtual town hall Wednesday night to discuss the show, including veterinarian Ingrid Taylor, who was concerned the tigers would be subjected to disturbing noises, vibrations and light.
“It is very possible to learn about tiger conservation and habitats from reputable sources without making tigers perform tricks or treating them as pets,” Taylor said.
Jessenia Villanueva, a resident in the Winchester Township where the show is proposed, said she cannot walk her dogs near that area because they are afraid of the amount of traffic and the noise of the monorail.
“I can’t imagine what the tigers will have to endure,” Villanueva said.
The temperature-controlled habitat would consist of two 900-square foot containment areas, each with a sleeping cave and a ground pool, and it would be secured by a 10-foot-high security fence with barbed wire and a roof enclosure as well as further fencing around the property. The tigers would live in their habitat in between performing, which would be about four minutes for each show.
“I have been a passionate animal advocate for over 30 years, long before it was fully fashionable,” said Owenhouse, who started a tiger sanctuary 26 years ago that adopts tigers born in the U.S. that need a home. “We love our animals more than anything. Our animals are truly part of our family.”
Owenhouse originally got approval for the magic show in the summer of 2020 on a property on Las Vegas Boulevard by Mandalay Bay, but the original property owner ended up losing ownership, so Owenhouse had to restart and find a new property. The Winchester Town Advisory Board recommended that the commission not approve the proposal as well as the planning department.
Nancy Amundsen, director of the county’s planning department, said during the town hall that the new location is busier with more traffic and people. She also noted that Metro Police had similar concerns.
Additionally, the county has an exotic animal ordinance that limits operations to no more than 20 days. Owenhouse wants to hold two shows per day seven days a week for the first six months and six days a week for the last six months, according to the application.
Owenhouse said he uses “affectionate training” and positive reinforcement with the tigers, not punishment or fear. His tigers have also never hurt anybody. He has taken his tigers on a touring magic show around the world that educates people about the species and the danger tigers are in the wild.
Owenhouse said he has a “perfect safety record,” although the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service did find his sanctuary to be noncompliant in 2019, when the organization found that there was not enough distance or barriers in place between a tiger and the public.
The inspectors ordered that Owenhouse make sure that all animals are exhibited with barriers and/or sufficient distance from the public. Twelve other inspections conducted since 2014 found no other issues.
Owenhouse does not buy tigers but adopts the cubs that are in need, he said, however it was reported that he got one tiger from Doc Antle, who was featured in Netflix’s docuseries “Tiger King” and was indicted on wildlife trafficking charges in 2020.
At the town hall, Owenhouse also went into detail about other safety precautions, including a discrete cable between the stage and the audience that would prevent the tigers from leaving the stage, 24/7 security, and many layers of fencing.
To the right of the sanctuary will be the monorail station, and people shared concerns about the noise of the monorail bothering the tigers.
Adam Parascandola, a Las Vegas resident who works for Humane Society International, said he has been involved in many situations where big cats are being housed inappropriately and was worried the show could encourage more people to obtain tigers.
“Although Mr. Owenhouse might not do that,” Parascandola said, “the people who go to these shows, some of the folks will come away with the impression that big cats are appropriate animals to have as pets, to have as family members.”
Dow Woerner, a northwest Las Vegas resident, said he talked on the phone with Owenhouse when one of his tigers had a hysterectomy, and it was as if it were his own child.
“That is a serious relationship similar to what most of us have with our pets at home,” Woerner said. “They’re family items.”
Commissioner Tick Segerblom, who hosted the town hall, told Owenhouse that he “faces an uphill battle,” but the decision will be a tough call.
