PETA has filed a federal lawsuit against Dade City’s Wild Things, alleging the Pasco County roadside zoo violated the Endangered Species Act by abusing tiger cubs for photo ops.

  • Charges built on video shot by volunteers at facility
  • Video shows a tiger cub pulled through a cage, another yanked on a leash
  • Owner of facility denied charges in a released statement

“PETA’s exposè of Dade City’s Wild Things revealed tiger cubs pulled from their mothers days or even hours after they were born,” said Brittany Peet, PETA’s Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement. “And those same cubs later being hit, thrown and yanked about all for the facility's lucrative tiger cub photo ops.”

PETA said they obtained undercover eyewitness video from volunteers who worked at the roadside zoo for the past year. The video shows a tiger cub being pulled through a cage, another being yanked by a leash, a staffer striking one and cubs being forced to participate in a customer encounter.

“PETA’s eyewitness footage shows the dark side of what really goes on behind the scenes to make these tiger cub photo ops happen,” Peet said. “No one should support any facility that exploits wild animals as photo props.”

To watch the video, click HERE. (Please note -  the video does not have audio, but it does have images that some viewers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.)

The owner of Dade City’s Wild Things, Kathy Stearns, declined a request for an oncamera interview. Instead, Stearns released a statement: “Dade City’s Wild Things adamantly denies all the allegations by PETA in the complaint… PETA makes false claims and distorts the law for fundraising tactics.”

Stearns also said PETA selectively edited the videos.

“That’s what you say when you have no other defense,” said Peet. “You cannot defend the indefensible.”

On Wednesday, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said Stearns wanted to file charges against two volunteers for unauthorized recording of the video. Deputies said because the video has no audio it did not violate any state laws.

Instead, deputies opened up an animal cruelty investigation against Dade City’s Wild Things for the images on the video.

PETA also alleges the confinement of tigers in tiny, squalid enclosures also violates the Endangered Species Act. Stearns said Dade City’s Wild Things expects to win the lawsuit and will collect attorney fees in the end.