Citation issued in tiger attack on Horn

LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has ticketed the company responsible for the exotic animals used in the “Siegfried & Roy” show, ending a lengthy investigation into the near-fatal tiger attack on illusionist Roy Horn.

S&R Productions received the citation Dec. 6, more than 14 months after the bloody attack that left Horn partially paralyzed, USDA spokesman Jim Rogers told the Associated Press on Friday.

Rogers declined to discuss why the company received the citation, but said it does not carry any penalties. He described it as a warning and said it concluded the agency’s investigation into the attack.

“When we write a ticket we are essentially telling somebody to stop doing something,” he said. “If they continue to engage in the activities that got them the ticket in the first place, we can take further action.”

Dave Kirvin, a Siegfried & Roy spokesman, said Friday the company was not aware of the citation.

Horn, 60, was attacked by a 380-pound tiger named Montecore during a live performance Oct. 3, 2003, at The Mirage hotel-casino. The 7-year-old tiger bit into the performer’s neck and dragged him off stage.