Logan Paul's Tiger Vs Pup Vlog Leads To Criminal Charges

STUDIO CITY, CA — A Studio City man faces multiple criminal charges of possessing and mistreating a tiger cub after appearing in a YouTube video with controversial vlogger Logan Paul.

Thirty-two-year-old Nicholas Perkins kept the tiger cub in his house in poor conditions, and he fed it kitten milk replacement formula with a baby bottle, according to City Attorney Mike Feuer. Feuer’s office has charged Perkins with four criminal counts including two counts of illegal possession of a tiger; mistreatment of a tiger, and possession of anabolic steroids. If convicted, Perkins could face up to two years and six months in jail and $4,000 in fines. The tiger was confiscated and taken to a North Los Angeles tiger rescue.

“Tigers and other exotic animals are not pets,” said Feuer. “Keeping these potentially dangerous animals in a residential setting poses a serious safety risk for residents and animals alike. My office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure these treasured creatures are safe and those who illegally keep them are held accountable.”

Officials learned about the cub in October 2017, when Wildlife Trafficking Wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife received an anonymous tip from someone who observed pictures of a model posing with a tiger cub on Instagram. During the investigation, authorities were able to track down Perkins and the cub when they appeared in a vlog with Paul.

Paul will not face any charges for his interaction with the tiger.

"We were able to verify the location of the animal through social media posts including Mr. Paul's YouTube video," explained Frank Mateljan, spokesman for the City Attorney's Office. "The animal did not belong to him nor was it being kept in his home. The charges are related exclusively to the treatment and possession of the animal."

In the vlog, Paul approaches the cub, which is hiding poolside in a Los Angeles backyard. Several young men mill about.

“Dude, it’s like a dog, but it’s a tiger,” Paul says. “Tigers don’t like vloggers.”

Then Paul brings out his pet Pomeranian, Kong, to meet the tiger.

“Just for all the animal advocates, I am going to be here to supervise,” he assures viewers. “We are just going to check the vibe.”

The cub tries to roar repeatedly at the dog, which lightly swipes a paw at the tiger’s snout. The tiger then chases the little dog in circles. While the vlogger seems to think it’s funny, prosecutors don’t think it’s a laughing matter.

“California has some of the strongest restricted species laws in the country. They’re designed to protect exotic animals from neglect and improper care and serve to protect the public from these animals, many of which can be dangerous,” said David Bess, Deputy Director and Chief of the Law Enforcement Division. “Our Wildlife Trafficking Team, working with the City Attorney’s office, are sending a message that exotic species like tigers don’t belong as pets in people’s homes.”
Arraignment is scheduled for December 10, 2018 in Department 47 of the Los Angeles Superior Court.

The incident is not the first time Paul’s vlog has generated controversy. In January, the YouTube star with more than 15 million subscribers to his online vlog channel, apologized for posting a video showing the dead body of man believed to have killed himself in a Japanese forest known for suicides.

"I'm often reminded of how big a reach I truly have & with great power comes great responsibility," he said at the time. "For the first time in my life I'm regretful to say I handled that power incorrectly. It won't happen again."

Editor's Note: I apologize, reader, for inflicting this video on you.

Photo: Youtube Screengrab