The owner of an Ontario zoo is under fire from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) after a video emerged showing him using a whip to control a Siberian tiger during training.
PETA posted the video on its website Tuesday, saying it shows Michael Hackenberger “viciously whipping another Siberian tiger named Uno” in a “savage training session”.
WARNING: The video contains language and images some people may find disturbing.
Hackenberger owns the Bowmanville Zoological Park east of Toronto. He trains animals for Hollywood productions, including the tiger used in Life of Pi.
Hackenberger and the park released a video in response to PETA’s claims, saying he feels “the images captured are misrepresented by PETA.”
PETA is calling for the Ontario SPCA to charge Hackenberger with animal cruelty. Reports say PETA also want the tiger confiscated from the zoo.