A Nevada man claims that after being arrested, seven tigers are his emotional support animals

Seven tigers were taken from a Nevada man’s house, and he is now being charged. The animals were emotional support pets, he said.

Following a raid by Nye County deputies on his Pahrump property on Wednesday, Karl Mitchell, 71, was taken into custody. Authorities said that he had broken county regulations for years and had not obtained the appropriate Special Conditions Animal Permit needed to house exotic animals. Deputies also discovered a revolver, and Mitchell was charged with illegal firearm possession and resisting a peace officer. He is not allowed to possess firearms because he is a convicted felon.

Mitchell asserted that the tigers were harmless despite his imprisonment and that he had “rescued” them from Joe Exotic, the former zookeeper who appeared in Netflix’s Tiger King. He said he didn’t think a permit was required because the cats were his emotional support animals, according to NBC station KSNV.

According to Sheriff Joe McGill, the county has long been the target of complaints, including claims that Mitchell had allowed public contact and walked tigers off-property, both of which were against local law. Mitchell first assisted during the raid, but he then refused to give up the cage keys.

After being taken out, the tigers were taken to an undisclosed refuge. According to officials, some animals were underweight, and there was algae in the water dishes.

Having previously sued for more than $1 million in damages, Mitchell, who has a history of legal disputes with Nye County, claimed that his animals were being harassed and interfered with. On $6,000 bond, he was freed that same day and is expected to appear in court on May 15. While the investigation is ongoing, more charges might be brought.