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Tiger owner's attorney urging end to probe

Jennifer Sorentrue
Saturday, July 31, 2004

WEST PALM BEACH -- An attorney for Bobo the tiger's owner, Steve Sipek, launched a preemptive strike Friday against the state agency he fears could bring criminal charges against his client.

Attorney Cory Strolla called for an end to investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission into Bobo's July 12 escape, alleging there is no way the agency can be impartial in its findings.

"How can you get a fair investigation from an agency who wronged us?" Strolla said. "They want to sway public opinion."

Wildlife officer Jesse Curtis Lee shot and killed the 600-pound tiger July 13. The incident drew worldwide attention and even death threats to the agency. Strolla said Sipek has "no problem" with an independent investigation by an agency such as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Wildlife commission spokesman Willie Puz said it is the agency's policy to conduct an investigation anytime an exotic animal escapes.

"We are doing an investigation to see how the cat escaped to see if there could be charges," Puz said. "It's already being investigated. We have been impartial this entire time. We haven't had any ill will toward him (Sipek) at all."

Sipek's private investigator, Andrew Novotak, said Bobo was intentionally let out of his cage and claims he has a list of possible suspects.

About three years ago, someone shot and injured one of Sipek's cougars, Strolla said. The animal died within the past two years.

Strolla also took aim Friday at a preliminary report on the shooting the commission released this week, saying it's filled with "lies" and "contradictions." The report concluded that Lee was "in fear of his life" and had no other choice but to kill Bobo.

In the report, Lee said the tiger lunged from bush thicket he'd been lying in. But Strolla said pictures of the scene show the thicket's branches were not disturbed, which he said indicates the tiger didn't lunge at the officer.

Novotak, who also is investigating the shooting, said he hasn't been allowed to examine the scene, which he claims has been covered with concrete blocks and trash. And Strolla says Bobo's body was "mutilated" during a necropsy at the University of Florida.

He points to pictures of Bobo's severed head, which he said was returned to Sipek in a plastic bag.

Sipek's had a veterinarian attend the necropsy, but he said the doctor wasn't allowed to do anything but observe.