Ask NBC to Stop Hiding the Truth About Roy Horn's Attack

On September 15, NBC featured a fluff interview with Siegfried & Roy. PETA provided NBC with information on cruelty to animals used for entertainment and the facts about the tiger attack on Roy Horn at Las Vegas’ Mirage Hotel in October 2003, but NBC failed to include any such information in the interview. By omitting facts on the stressful and lonely lives led by animals used in “entertainment” acts, NBC did the public, as well as the captive big cats who are currently suffering in hot, loud, unnatural, and confusing conditions, a grave disservice.

NBC treated Horn as if he were a hero, although the entertainer was attacked after he beat the tiger Montecore with a microphone when the animal wouldn’t follow his stage cues. Contrary to Siegfried & Roy’s story, Montecore wasn’t “protecting” Roy when he grabbed him by the throat. Like other animals used in entertainment, Montecore acted out of frustration at being pushed around and responded to the threats as any animal would. NBC chose not to show the attack, although Feld Entertainment has the tape (which it has refused to hand over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture).

Americans rely on NBC to present the facts as news, but it has more than blurred the line on this one. We need your help to send the message to NBC that hiding the truth about the attack on Roy Horn and what can happen when captive exotic animals are used in entertainment is unacceptable. Please write to NBC’s president and CEO and ask them to give viewers the straight story, rather than presenting fiction disguised as fact.

Mr. Jeff Zucker, President
3000 W Alameda Ave
Burbank, CA 91523-0002
(818) 840-4444
(818) 840-3247 (fax)
jeff.zucker@nbcuni.com

Mr. Robert Wright, Chairman & CEO
30 Rockefeller Plz
New York, NY 10112
(212) 664-4444
(201) 583-5453 (fax)
robert.wright@nbcuni.com

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