Case Snapshot

Case ID: 1774

Classification: Unlawful Trade/Smuggling

Animal: captive exotic

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CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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Case #1774 Rating: 1.0 out of 5

Possesion of wild animal - tiger and alligator seized
New York, NY (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Oct 4, 2003
County: New York

Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 4 files available

Defendant/Suspect: Antoine Yates

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

31 year old Antione Yates faces two counts of alleged possession of a wild animal.  His home was searched after he went to the hospital reporting that he was bit by a pit bull.  The animal that bit him was a Tiger, a 4 year old orange and white Siberian-Bengal mix that Yates had kept in the fifth-floor apartment in Harlem since he was a 6-week-old cub. Also found in the apartment was a 5-foot Alligator.  Both animals were tranqualized and removed to animal sanctuaries by animal control officers, police, and Bronx Zoo workers.

Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Saland said Yates was a "man trying to create an animal sanctuary in his apartment." Saland added, "It's clear this defendant's actions were extremely reckless."  Yates is also facing charges of alleged reckless endangerment.  A conviction of  reckless endangerment carries a sentence of up to seven years.

Yates was bitten by Ming after a playful, mock-fight routine he called "Buddy-Buddy" resulting in a cut in Yates leg right down to the bone.  Yates kitten named Shadow showed up and Ming went after the kitten, who had lived in the apartment for about a week.

Yates has been charged with reckless endangerment in the Manhattan Criminal Court, a felony and the possession of a wild animal.  He could face 7 years in prison if convicted.

The tiger had complete access to Yates 5th floor, public housing, 7 room apartment in the Drew Hamilton Houses at 2430 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, Harlem, NY.  The tiger has been sent to Noah's Lost Ark wildlife preserve in Berlin Center, Ohio and the caiman (alligator), named Al, sent to a sanctuary in Indiana.

Another tiger, some cubs, 2 Rottweilers, rabbits and a tranatula were also taken from Yates' apartment.  The police are still searching for a lion who had also been kept in Yates apartment.  Yates told police the lion was dead, but interviews with his family have led police to suspect the lion is still alive and is being kept somewhere in Brooklyn, NY.

Yates had taken good care of the animals.  He has taken in puppies and broken-winged birds from early childhood.  Over the years his taste grew more exotic, neighbors reported his collecton came to include reptiles, a monkey or two and even a hyena.

Yates obtained the tiger from Kenneth and Nancy Kfraft, owners of the BEARCAT Hollow animal park in Racine, Minnesota.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service is currently investigating the Krafts in connection with alleged illegal trade and transport of federally protected species.  The Krafts were recenytly indicted in Minneapolis for allegedly making an illegal purchase of another tiger, named "Como", who was later destroyed in 2001 after biting a small girl.  Documents show that Yates obtained the lion from Ken Krafts.

Case Updates

References

• Fox News
• The New York Times
• WMUR Channel 9
• Animal News Center
• New York Newsday
• Twin Cities Pioneer Press

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