Magicians Siegfried & Roy were known for their grand stage show in Las Vegas that brought in tens of millions of dollars each year. That was until Roy was mauled by one of the tigers during a 2003 performance.

Now, one of the show’s former handlers is telling his version of events and explains that it was Roy’s error in judgement that led to the incident. In an in-depth interview with The Hollywood Reporter, animal handler Chris Lawrence says that the story the public was told – that Roy Horn had a stroke and Mantacore (the tiger) was trying to save him – is untrue.

Lawrence, who cared for the tiger daily, says that in the years before the show on October 3, 2003 (Horn’s birthday), the entertainer was not spending much time with the animals, which is essential for a close working/training relationship. The bond between animal and entertainer shifted.

During the show, Mantacore got confused by Horn’s cues – which was unusual for the animal – and Horn did not take the proper steps to correct the tiger. Instead, “he just used his arm to steer him right back into his body, in a pirouette motion. Mantacore’s face was right in [Horn’s] midsection. By Roy not following the correct procedure, it fed into confusion and rebellion.”

The big cat’s eyes and body language changed, and he snapped. Lawrence tried to intervene by throwing meat but was knocked on his back. The rest is history. Horn, now 74, went through a lengthy recovery but still has some trouble walking and speaking.

It is believed he and his partner wanted to protect Mantacore, who died in 2014, from being put down. Part of the reason Lawrence is speaking out now is that he suffers from PTSD. He also feels guilty because he encouraged Horn to use Mantacore for his celebration show.

Check out the video to hear more about the attack and to learn how Siegfried & Roy have responded to these claims.

Were you a fan of this Vegas duo’s show? Do you remember hearing about the mauling? What are your thoughts on Lawrence’s story?