Cats may be facing legal limbo

Five of nine tigers in danger of going to tiger heaven may instead land in Tigerhaven, an animal sanctuary in Kingston, Tenn.

The other four tigers seized by Otter Tail County Minn., officials last week have been promised homes at sanctuaries in Mississippi and Indiana, officials said Wednesday.

However, the owner of the cats intends to challenge the seizure in court, a move that would keep the future of the cats in limbo.

David Piccirillo said Wednesday he has mailed a notice to the Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley, Minn., which coordinated the seizure, stating he wants a court hearing on the matter.

If the notice isn't received by midnight tonight, ownership of the animals will transfer to the county, said Keith Streff, a Humane Society investigator.

If that happens, ownership will pass to the Humane Society, which in turn would surrender the cats to the sanctuaries willing to provide permanent housing, Streff said.

Those groups include the Cedar Hill Animal Sanctuary near Columbus, Miss., which would take two of the tigers.

tigers jump

The other group, Tigerhaven, would initially take seven tigers and later pass two of the cats to the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Center Point, Ind.

If there is no court challenge, the moves could start Friday morning, Streff said.

Tigerhaven was ready and waiting for the cats Wednesday, manager Debbie Wilkins said.

"We've been pounded with calls, asking if we could help," said Wilkins, who added that Tigerhaven cares for 203 big cats on more than 50 acres.

The nine tigers confiscated June 14 from the Arcangel Wildlife farm near Underwood, Minn., have been held at an undisclosed location.

Officials said the animals faced euthanasia if no court challenge was raised and alternative homes were not found by today.

Streff said destruction of the cats now appears to be a remote chance, but he added seizure cases can take unexpected turns up until the time animals are placed in new homes.

He said euthanasia remains an option.

Costs connected with the seizure could approach $10,000 by today and go higher if the animals need to be held pending a hearing, Steff said.

The tigers were seized under a nuisance abatement order issued after three people were injured at the farm and as part of an investigation into whether laws regulating animal care and ownership were violated, county officials have said.

Streff said if charges are filed, the county could seek to recoup some of its costs.

Arcangel Wildlife was started several years ago by Piccirillo and Wendy Mears, who owns the property the farm sits on.

Mears could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Piccirillo, who left Minnesota earlier this year and now lives in Connecticut, said the cats were healthy and in good shape before the seizure.

Piccirillo said he intends to fight in court for the right to determine where the cats go.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555