Rumors of Dangerous Animals loose in Pahrump; helicopter sees no evidence from the air

There were rumors of dangerous animals on the loose in Pahrump last December around the Hedengrans property. The Nye County Sheriff's Department and Nye County Emergency Services responded to the call, a Mercy Air helicopter even flew overhead, but no exotic animals were loose.

"Their housing is excellent," Debbie Pemberton, Nye County Animal Control Supervisor, told the Pahrump Valley Times. "I do not have any concerns with these animals getting out."

Pemberton, who compiled the ordinance draft, said she thought the alert came from nervous neighbors, after they heard lions roaring. At the time she said the Hedengrans had four or five caged lions and tigers as well as 14 smaller cats, like lynx and snow leopards.