Wednesday, October 08, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Tiger attack survivor wishes best for Roy

A Las Vegas man left paralyzed when a tiger attacked him at Siegfried & Roy's house in 1985 is among those wishing magician Roy Horn a speedy recovery.

Charles Flannery, now 69, was doing maintenance work at the home when he was attacked by a white tiger named Magic. He suffered slashes on his neck, back and throat.

After the attack, Flannery underwent surgery at University Medical Center, the same hospital where Horn has been listed in critical condition since he was mauled by a white tiger during a Friday night performance at The Mirage.

Flannery, who still has significant paralysis from his waist down, said he regularly watches television broadcasts for word of Horn's condition.

He considers both Horn and Siegfried Fischbacher to be his friends, though neither keeps in close contact with him.

But Flannery said he recently spoke with Lynette Chappell, the illusionists' personal assistant, who briefed him about Horn's condition.

"I can't be mad at the guy (Horn)," Flannery said at his Las Vegas home Tuesday night. "Hell, I can't be mad at the cat, either. It happened. He was playing, that's all."

Flannery sued Siegfried and Roy in 1986, saying in court papers the tiger attacked him from behind while he was working outside the entertainers' home, 1639 N. Valley Drive.

The lawsuit argued Siegfried and Roy were responsible for the injuries because the tiger was walking free and unsupervised in an area where there should not have been any animals.

In a statement released after the lawsuit was filed, Siegfried & Roy's manager, Bernie Yuman, said the accusations were without merit.

"It is regrettable that efforts are being made to sensationalize and exploit the tragic accidental injury of Chuck Flannery. No one cares more deeply about his welfare than Siegfried and Roy, who have been his close friends for many years."

Flannery said his lawsuit went nowhere, and he has never received money from Siegfried and Roy. He said he received disability payments until recently.

He declined to discuss the attack but said he doesn't dwell on how it changed his life.

"Hell, I feel lucky to be alive this long," he said. "At this age, most of my friends, they're dead. I'm having a great day just because I'm alive."

The tiger, which was taking medication for a kidney ailment, was quarantined for 10 days and later died from the illness.