Tiger that killed trainer will not be destroyed

Jace Radke And Ed Koch

Thursday, April 5, 2001 | 11:06 a.m.

A Bengal tiger that last month killed its trainer was given a clean bill of health today by veterinarians with Clark County Animal Control and will not be destroyed.

Tests released this morning found that Jagger the tiger does not have rabies.

However, news was not all good for the animal and its owner, Joshua Weinstein, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which licenses exotic animals for display, has issued a letter ordering Weinstein not to display the tiger until further notice.

Last week, a spokeswoman for Weinstein told the Las Vegas Sun that the animal was being retired from a career in which it posed beside humans for thousands of photographs. It will be bred with a female tiger, she said.

USDA spokeswoman Laura Sanchez said today that the agency's letter was received Wednesday by Weinstein and that it does not prevent him from breeding the animal. It does prohibit "the potential of all public contact," she said.

Animal Control spokesman Joe Boteillo said medical tests show that Jagger is healthy and that his agency's investigation found no violations.

"There is no intention of prosecution," Boteillo said.

Attempts today to reach Weinstein were unsuccessful.

Animal trainer Eric Bloom, 25, was attacked and killed by Jagger March 25 after he and Weinstein entered the animal's cage.

The attack happened about 6:15 p.m. at Weinstein's business, Wildlife Safari, that housed the tiger and other animals in a complex near Prince Ranch Lodge, off Kyle Canyon Road, about a mile west of U.S. 95.

Weinstein and Bloom were preparing the tiger for an advertisement photo shoot when the animal forced Bloom to the ground and bit him in the neck, killing him in seconds, Metro Police general assignment detectives said.

Since the attack Weinstein's facility has been closed for failing to have a special use permit from Clark County to house the animals. The other animals housed at Prince Ranch have been moved to other facilities. The USDA said today that Weinstein can continue to display his other animals.