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Subscribe to RSSDavid Villalobos, 25, who jumped 17 feet into the tiger exhibit at the Bronx Zoo to be "one with tiger," will be charged with criminal trespassing. He said he managed to pet the tiger before the big cat bit him. NBC's Veronica De La Cruz reports.
NEW YORK -- The man who jumped out of the Bronx Zoo's monorail into the tiger exhibit was charged with trespass Saturday, according to law enforcement officials.
Investigators now believe that David Villalobos was not attempting to commit suicide Friday afternoon when he made the leap into the tiger den. Villalobos, 25, was mauled by a Siberian tiger before zoo employees rescued him by using fire extinguishers to distract the big cat, zoo officials said.
Villalobos was charged Saturday with third-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, and another lesser charge of trespass. He was issued a desk appearance ticket with a future court date for arraignment.
Based on Villalobos' statements to investigators and what they've seen on his Facebook page it appears he was obsessed with the tigers and just wanted to be with them, police said.
According to police spokesman Paul Browne, Villalobos told NYPD detectives that his leap was definitely not a suicide attempt, but a desire to be "one with the tiger."
"When an NYPD sergeant asked Villalobos yesterday why had jumped into the tiger preserve, he replied that 'everyone has a reason for what they do in life,'" Browne said.
See original story, video on NBCNewYork.com
According to a law enforcement official, Villalobos suffered broken ribs, a broken right ankle, which was also mauled by the tiger, a collapsed lung and a broken pelvis. Most of the injuries he suffered were because of the 17-foot fall into the tiger den.
In statements to an NYPD sergeant, Villalobos said the tiger dragged him by his right ankle. He also told the sergeant he was able to pet the animal.
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The tiger named Bachuta could have killed Villalobos who was in the enclosure for about 10 minutes, Bronx Zoo Director Jim Breheny said.
"Tigers are extremely capable predators: They typically grab a prey animal by the back of the neck and it's over very quickly," Breheny said. "This cat did not do this to the individual."
Villalobos, who is from Mahopac, suffered "various bites or puncture wounds on his arms and legs and also the top of his shoulder on his back," Breheny said.
Villalobos is in stable condition at Jacobi Medical Center.
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Leave a Comment:
He almost got his wish.
disturbed thinking.
Let see, where to start. It's not on topic. MSNBC hasn't existed for about a month (NBC took over MS's interest), It's complete nonsense!!! Just another lunatic right-wing conspiracy theory, liker the "birther" crap or the "Obama's a Muslim" BS. What a moron!!
Hope the tiger is not sentenced to death... it was "home invasion"....
Some of this moron would have been digested and become tiger and some of him would have become tiger SH!T. Like Bugs says, "What a Maroon!"
NO 201No Ballots for US TROOPS overseas ~ MSNBC silent Comment collapsed by the community
This loser party is getting so desperate, even the vine names being chosen are as off-topic, meaningless and irrelevant as the entire Tea Party. Absolute pathos.
You can't fix stupid.
You can if you kill it!!
It looks like the tiger also wanted to be one with him, and if it had just eaten him up, they would have become truly one once the man had been completely digested.
*
I wonder if his master plan included digestion??
Rebus
They are desperate. They have been lying on the man since before he took office and they will be lying on him when he leaves office in 2016. Romney has been caught in so many lies and telling American how he feels when with his own, they have to try to deflect with something big. But they never stop to think how stupid their lie sounds.
They are like that idiot girl that carved the letters O B A M A in her face with a sharp object in 2008 and said a muscular dark complected black man did it. The idiot did it in the mirror so she spelled it backwards. Remember her? That is how ridiculous their party is.
Excuse me! When did the subject of our "Clueless Leader" get mentioned in this story? I guess O'Dufuss has his name in every stupid idea on the planet
You are in life where you CHOOSE to be. I guess this doofus wanted to be a tiger turd and get buried in the litter box.
I'm just glad the tiger backed off so he wouldn't be harmed. Really, I do sympathize with the IDEA of wanting to be one with animals that you love. BUT, common sense and compassion for the animals should tell you that you will only harm them and most likely yourself. I would love to swim with dolphins, but I'm not jumping into their tanks and putting us all at risk...especially them. I'm not going in the tiger enclosure because I care enough about them to know that they are wild animals who would most likely and rightfully attack me, and then often the tiger gets shot because of the human's stupidity or thoughtless actions.
So I get sort of that urge to be near an animal you really admire or feel bonded with, but there are ways to do it and ways not to do it. This was definitely not, and he is lucky the tiger wasn't in a bad mood or really hungry. If the guy jumped into my house all of a sudden I can't promise he'd come out as well as he did here.
This story reminded me of 'Grizzly Man', a documentary about a guy named Timothy Treadwell who wanted to be one with grizzly bears. He ended up getting his wish.
So, does having seen one too many Disney specials about friendly wild animals count as a mental illness.
I admire tigers as splendid animals.
I never want to be close to an adult one unless there are iron bars between us.
LOL
Tony the Tiger states "Taste just like chicken".
Really? I think the whooping from the tiger was enough. Save all of us a lot of money and forgo the court proceedings. I think the lesson was learned. And if a mauling wasnt enough to deterr others from trying the same thing then they will get the same results or worse. Pressing charges isnt going to do anything.
deweydan,
"Tony the Tiger"
That's a good one, but isn't Tony the Tiger the one who eats Frosted Flakes? I haven't eaten cereal since I was a little kid so I really don't remember too well.
A fool and his foot are easily parted - especially when tigers are involved!
I think the tiger is protected under the "Stand your ground" law!
The tiger was quoted saying, "That train keeps going by day in and day out with all those hors d'oeuvers, it was about time one got served to us. Wasn't fair how we only got a bite before it was taken away, though!"
NO 201No Ballots for US TROOPS overseas ~ MSNBC silent
is all bull@!$%#
I think Tigers are beautiful. I have never wished to have sex with one though. Poor man! He should be content to look at videos of 'em and play with himself. Tries this again He's likely to get killed. Doubt He'll ever be one with a Tiger.
How much ya wanna bet this loser ends up suing the zoo?
I think the foot and the tiger are one, now.
So close, so close. Darwin Award Runner up.
Tony licked his chops, and said "Human legs.....they're Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!"
HERE - KITTY, KITTY!
@ Cull - I agree. He wanted to be one with the tiger, it appears the tiger wanted him to be one with it too. The zoo keepers were being such spoil sports.....
I love cats. I would love to pet and hug the big cats, tigers, lions, cougars and such, but I know that would be stupid unless the animals were restrained in some way. They are wild animals and meant to be enjoyed from a distance. And... I would never put those animals in danger by doing something as foolish as this man did - that cat could have been killed to save his dumb azz!!! What a selfish and stupid man - he deserves what he got and everything that is coming to him!
I think what he meant by "Being one with the tiger" meant he wanted some of that p***y
The idiot should have to clean the Tiger and Elephant cages using only his hand!!! One with the tiger.
..what a dolt!!!
Never heard such a thing in my life, Boy talk about crazy.
Mr. Treadwell with his grizzlies was positively stupid as was his documentary on the subject.
Elephant cage maybe, but keep him away from the cats. He might try it again and the cat might get hurt this time.
Well, part of him became one with the tiger.
I guess some humans are better eatin than others...the tiger said; this don't taste anything like chicken.
Humans...they're GRRRRRRRATE, right Tony?
JP's comment
winner winner winner
Yeah one with the tiger for four hours then after digestion you end up in a pile of S*Hit. If he wanted to be one with tigers and other furry critters he should have volunteered to help take care of them and prevent them from possibly being shot because of their dumb ass.
Maybe he was just being a clown and the tiger thought he tasted funny....
Should of left em in there until they got hungry, then he could've been "one" with them.. fn moron
stupid is - stupid does!!!!
One way to get rid of scumbags though..throw them to the lions.
Personally, i think that's a good idea and sound like fun but there are folks for some unknown crazy reason might find it juuuuuuuust a bit barbaric.
Indeed, he did nearly get his wish. The tiger, however, did not share Villalobos' sentiment. Had the tiger wished to, he could dispatched him quickly. As it was, he merely wanted Villalobos to understand he was trespassing and not welcome.
Nicely put. The tiger definitely didn't react as he could have reacted.
He could be "one with the tiger" inside it's stomach.
The tiger didn't kill him because he knew he was dealing with an IDIOT!! Bachuta! Good kitty!
Thank goodness the zookeepers used gentle force to distract the tiger. Because of this fool, the
tiger could have been put down if it looked like he was killing the guy! One with the tiger, indeed.
I suppose the tiger knows that "you are what you eat".
What should you do if you're eaten by a tiger??
Just run around and around inside him unil you're all pooped out
Love your post!!!
What an idiot ! Yes he would of been " one with the tiger " in the form of tiger sh-t !
Guy should have been " One with the Bunnies" he would have been much better off :)
Good to read that this guy is facing criminal charges, instead of some idiot killing the tiger over this.
Prosecution seems unnecessary. He's already been punished with pain and injury that should deter him better than any punishment he could receive from a mere trespassing charge. If he wants to do it again, prosecution will not deter him. But prosecution will consume the resources of the taxpayer's as well as the time of the courts and police who could be doing better things. Mental health services sound more appropriate.
Also the next person who jumps in the tiger cage isn't going to be thinking "hey they didn't prosecute the first guy so it's fine."
Ed, You are an intelligent person. There are few left.
Hell, I say we just throw him back in there. Tiger gets food, we get one less psycho who is a danger to himself and others. Win/win.
I know it seems harsh, but criminal charges are absolutly necessary to deter any other freaks who would endanger the wellfare of the cats
I was thinking that myself. You know that there will be copy cats. No pun intended.
I'm guessing they prosecuted him for trespass so he stays away from the Zoo without claiming discrimination. In many states if he is found guilty of trespass, they can deny him entry (even by dropping off the monorail). Seems he will probably plead guilty... doesn't have much of a defense. It will also help the Zoo should he decide to sue. I think it is a good legal move, not necessarily meant to keep mentally ill people from trying to be one with wild animals. Often the best defense is a good offense.
It was "home invasion" for the tiger...."Tigger" has every right to defend his turf....
Hope "Tigger" does not end up put down....
i want to know who has to foot the enourmous medical bill once this guy is patched up" and released from the hospital! pleas etell me it isn't the poor taxpayers of new york. if this guy is that friggin' stupid, and (unfortunately) is saved and lives to tell about his "becoming one with kitty", he deserves to foot the gigantic medical bill as well. we have more than enough morons in this country, why do we save another? keep the jackass in there and give big kitty a nice fulfilling meal.
He will be billed. Whether or not he can pay it is a different story. Most likely it will go to collections and he will either make a payment plan or it will be written off as bad debt.
I suppose we can always hope that he doesn't file charges against the zoo for it being so easy to get into the tiger enclosure.
He might have health insurance...
You mean the Tiger, Lovely? It's a great example of the need for veterinary insurance!
After a few more minutes the Tiger may have happily made them one.
Idiot!
down with...spoken like a person who I'm sure has never been there!!
Village of the Wolves - Villalobos; Old spanish family who loves wolves. Strange thinking....
http://www.elfwood.com/~amrazon/Family-Crest.2513440.html
The tiger took a bite and spit it out.
Animals are not as dumb as you think.
The tiger probably tasted stupidity.
Makes the most sense of everything I have read so far, good one. ROFL
Now he can become one with the psych ward.
I sure hope none of the zoo employees put their own lives in danger to rescue this moron. Sometimes the herd needs to be thinned out.
Don't kill the tiger.
You're kidding, right??? I think they owed the Tiger a sincere apology.
What did he think, he was some sort of savant' with the wild animals and they would accept him like a brother and cuddle with him?
What has this guy been smoking?
So he was obsessed with the tigers and "just wanted to be with them." I guess he failed to realize the tigers may not have shared his desire for companionship. I'm astonished at how someone like this can make a complete suspension of good sense.
There's one like him born every 5 second.....
Stupid dumb a**. I hope he doesn't breed any idiots like him.
Only if the tiger had bitten his balls off.......
Wolfpack
AMEN!!!!
Pretty Shepherd in the picture. I have a 10 year old female shepherd.
Thank you. I have three Shepherds. two males and a female. She the one in the picture.
Also, the employees who used fire extinguishers on the captive tiger should be prosecuted.
The fire extinguishers weren't used on the tiger. The hissing sound and the foam movement distracts the tiger. I use keyboard cleaner compressed air to distract my kittehs when they are doing things they shouldn't.
I prefer fire extinguishers to guns, don't you? They just hissed them at him so he would back off a bit. It worked...why are you wanting compassionate and reasonable people prosecuted when the nut who did it is to blame?
@mark --- What a moronic like post. Get a fuggin life!
I guess the man wanted to be one with the tiger. It's a good thing the tiger didn't want to be one with him. This guy gives morons a bad name. Calling him a mopron would be an insult to morons.
Now he can go around and say.I have the eye of the tiger..Roar!!!