Video shows animals kept in small crates and enclosures as part of "The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre" on the Las Vegas Strip.
"It's not a way to keep an animal like this, they all were packed in boxes. Some of them looked like they didn't have access to air or anything," said animal advocate Hani Levi, who recently captured the video in a narrow hallway behind the V Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops.
The video shows pigeons crammed in small plastic crates, two goats held together in such a small pen they can only move their heads, a wall of cats and lots of dogs barking.
Elsewhere you can see animal enclosures stacked and packed on top of each other.
"It's luggage, that's how they how hey treat them, luggage," said Levi.
Levi said she was tipped off by employees and then checked it out for herself.
"It made me very sad of course and very upset because animals should not be kept like this at all," said Levi.
On its website the show boasts more than 30 animals, all rescues, given a new lease on life. But Levi questions that new life.
"The fact that you rescue an animal doesn't mean you can do whatever you want with it, again you can see in the footage, this is not a way to keep an animal."
We reached out to the V Theater and were told the show has played there for over ten years and the production company has never seen any animal abuse.
We were also told Popovich has all the needed licenses from the USDA, State of Nevada and his veterinarian. We haven't yet heard back from the Gregory Popovich pet theater.
Statement:
For over 10 years the “Popovich Comedy Pet Theater” Show has played on and off in our venue and we have never seen animal abuse of any kind. Gregory Popovich has presented the appropriate licenses and endorsements from the USDA, State of Nevada and his veterinarian. It is our understanding that each animal has been rescued from an animal shelter and given a new “leash” on life.
