India the tiger to be transferred from Houston BARC facility to ranch in North Texas

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The missing tiger named India that was safely turned over to Houston authorities on Saturday is expected to be transferred from BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions in Houston to the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in North Texas Sunday morning, according to authorities.

The tiger received a medical evaluation overnight after it was handed over by suspected owner Victor Cuevas’ wife, Gia, on Houston’s westside, HPD said.Police said India was found in good health and was not hurt. They said they still do not know where the tiger was for the past week.

“I just wanted to get the tiger here. He was in a very small crate, when he was brought to us, and as you can tell he’s in a much bigger crate now and he seems to be doing fine,” said HPD Major Offenders Commander Ron Borza. “In no way shape or form should you have an animal like that in your household. That animal is only nine months old and already raised 175 pounds, full grown. That animal can get to 600 pounds, it still had his claws, and it could do a lot of damage.”

India was seen roaming around a west Houston neighborhood last week.

Suspected owner Victor Cuevas is facing charges for a 2017 murder in Fort Bend County.

Last week, a judge put him back in jail on a $300,000 bond.

Staff from Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch are expected to get the tiger Sunday morning. The ranch also has a few other tigers there already.