Mexican environmental authorities have seized a four-month-old Bengal tiger from a family in the El Pipila neighborhood of Tijuana after residents reported seeing the wild animal being walked on a leash like a dog.
The authorities intercepted a man with the tiger outside his home in Baja California, discovering that the tiger had been living with the family as a pet. Concern grew as officials deemed the tiger a potential risk to the safety of the family’s children.
The family provided what appeared to be a purchase receipt for the male tiger, indicating it was born on August 25, 2015, and bought on December 20 from Planet Exotico, a shop specializing in exotic animals, including snakes, tarantulas, and scorpions.
A veterinary check revealed that the tiger was in good health, fully vaccinated, declawed, and even microchipped, much like a domestic cat.
The family claimed they had recently bought the tiger and planned to build a proper enclosure.
Authorities confirmed that the tiger had been allowed to roam the streets, restrained only by a dog collar, posing a risk of escape and potential harm to locals.
The family also lacked the required permits to keep such a dangerous animal, leading officials to seize the tiger and transfer it to a local zoo for its and the community’s safety.
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