Las Vegas NowFuture of Big Cats in LV Shows

Future of Big Cats in LV Shows

(Oct. 8) -- Federal investigators are looking into the tiger attack that left Roy Horn with severe injuries. Are changes in store for other Las Vegas shows featuring tigers? While much of the focus has been on Roy's recovery, an investigation into the attack has been launched by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"It was very sad, it was very scary," says Joyce Edenholm and her daughter Amy Sherman. Both were sitting in the front row the night Roy Horn was attacked by one of his tigers on stage. 

"I was scared too for us because we were so close and I thought if this tiger gets loose maybe it was like from here to there, if this tiger gets loose we're all in trouble," says Edenholm. 

But for more than a decade, audience members were able to get close enough to the tigers, they could even touch them. The U.S.D.A. is investigating the attack on Roy. Federal regulations require sufficient distance or barriers between the animal and the public, but it does not set specific safety measures. Anthony Curtis is publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor. He thinks the investigation could bring about changes.

"Maybe they're going to be required there waiting with a gun, or maybe they're going to have a barrier up, I think you're going to see some changes. I think the days of the strolling big cat on stage are numbered," says Curtis.

Dirk Arthur is one of two magicians left in Las Vegas who uses big cats in his show.

"Obviously we'll take another look at everything because it can't hurt I feel like you can't be too safe," says Arthur. 

Rick Thomas is the other illusionist left on the strip who uses tigers in his show at the Tropicana. Casino executives say no changes have been made to the show. Although crewmembers say Roy's accident reminds them of how safe they need to be.

"It was a little weird doing our first show wondering what the audience is going to think, if they even want to see tigers on stage or if they're going to be afraid. But they received it well and everybody came up after the shows to Rick and mentioned that they still have a passion to see the animals on stage that they still love them," says Ricky Brandon, a member of the crew for the Rick Thomas show. 

The Siegfried and Roy show has been officially closed. At this point, it is unknown if there will be a replacement for the show.