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PETA asks Shaquille O'Neal to disavow another 'Tiger King' personality following Joe Exotic fallout

On Monday, Shaquille O’Neal disassociated himself from imprisoned “Tiger King” character Joe Exotic after he made an unintended cameo in the popular Netflix documentary.

The show features Exotic engaging in the wild animal trade and keeping captive Lions and Tigers among other animals that naturally live in the wild. Exotic is also seen taking newborn cubs away from their mothers immediately after birth.

More trouble for Shaq

Now O’Neal’s under fire from PETA for appearing to associate with another of “Tiger King’s” big cat breeders Jeff Lowe.

On Wednesday, PETA published a letter it sent to O’Neal urging him to disavow Lowe after Lowe published an image of an apparent video chat he had with O’Neal.

“Given your disavowal of Joe, we were surprised when this photo was posted on Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park’s Facebook page last week, purportedly showing you communicating with Lowe via FaceTime and alleging that you offered him support,” the letter reads. “It’s clear that you love tigers, and we hope you will dissociate yourself from people who profit from abusing, breeding, and exploiting them.

“Lowe has a long history of violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. He continues to tear baby big cats away from their mothers and forces them to interact with the public.”

Shaquille O'Neal arrives at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 24, 2019, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Shaquille O'Neal arrives at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 24, 2019, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

O’Neal has not publicly responded to PETA’s letter.

Shaq: ‘I love tigers’

Following outcry when “Tiger King” footage showed O’Neal meeting with Exotic, O’Neal responded on “The Big Podcast with Shaq” that he’s not a friend of Exotic’s and wasn’t aware of any animal abuse that took place behind the scenes.

“We find out that he’s involved with all this stuff, and actually I stopped going,” O’Neal said. “I’m righteous. I don’t harm tigers. ... Do I put donations to zoos to help these tigers out? I do ... Do I own tigers personally at my house? No. But I love tigers.”

“Tiger King” has become a hit on Netflix and on social media as Americans are stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic seeking sources of entertainment.

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