The Tiger Next Door

The Tiger Next Door is an engaging 2009 documentary film created by Camilla Calamandrei that offers a startling look into the world of animal trade in the United States. It tells the story of Dennis Hill, a man whose own backyard is home to a private menagerie of fascinating yet dangerous animals: tigers, cougars, and bears.

The film gives a raw but respectful portrayal of Hill, a man who started with a pet lion cub and whose passion for big cats turned him into a breeder of exotic animals, with over 24 tigers, three bears, and a variety of other animals inhabiting his property in rural Indiana. However, his activities do not remain unnoticed and the local branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) steps in with an order to reduce the number of large cats to two due to a lack of suitable living conditions.

The Tiger Next Door provides a balanced narrative, framing the discussion around animal rights and the ethical considerations of owning exotic animals as pets while allowing viewers to develop their own perspective toward Hill and others like him. It humanizes Hill, painting a complex portrait of him as a man who, despite his clear love for these creatures, is forced to confront the reality that he is not equipped to provide suitable care for them.

This documentary also explores the larger picture of animal trade in the United States, exposing the unsettling fact that there are more tigers in captivity in America than there are in the wild. The film draws attention to the dark underbelly of the exotic animal trade, touching on issues of animal rights, cruelty, and conservation. Viewers are shown how easy it is to buy and sell exotic animals, thanks in large part to lax laws and regulations.

The Tiger Next Door doesn't just stick to a single narrative. It blends elements of suspense and drama, exploring the legal and ethical complexities around animal rights, while also weaving in a deeply personal story about a controversial figure. Hill's plight runs parallel to the dilemmas faced by law enforcement and animal rights groups. The film uses his story to question our own understanding of animal rights, questioning the making of pets out of powerful predators and whether being bred in captivity truly means an animal is domesticated and safe as a pet.

The film is remarkably intimate, taking viewers into the personal habitats of both Hill and his animals. The sounds, sights, and realities of keeping such incredible creatures in such close quarters make for an air of fascination and horror in equal measure. In the process, it lays bare a subculture that exists on the fringes of American society, challenging viewers to think about the relationship between humans and exotic animals through a new, more informed lens.

The documentary employs a variety of storytelling techniques, including intimate interviews, stunning footage of the animals, and conversations with animal managers, to provide a fully immersive experience. It achieves a remarkable balance between condemning and understanding, diagnosing and exploring, in both its depiction of Hill and its wider exploration of the exotic animal trade industry.

Overall, The Tiger Next Door is a powerful critique of the underground exotic animal trade in the United States and a vital piece of viewing for anyone concerned about animal welfare. Its strengths lie in its frank portrayal of the realities facing these animals and the people who care for them. It delivers its deeply thought-provoking and occasionally horrifying message without preaching or condemning, allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions. By casting a spotlight on a largely hidden world, The Tiger Next Door offers a chilling reminder of the urgent need for reform in the way we manage animals in our society.