Tiger star Horn checks into rehab

Horn was clinically dead for a minute following the mauling

Illusionist Roy Horn has checked into a German rehabilition clinic, 18 months after he was attacked on stage by a tiger in Las Vegas.

The tiger bit Horn's neck and dragged him offstage during a live performance in the city in October 2003.

Afterwards Horn, 60, suffered a stroke which left him partially paralysed.

Horn said he was "thrilled to return" to his home country and "excited with the programmes set forth by the great doctors" at the German clinic.

The illusionist, who is believed to be attending the Leonardis Clinic outside Munich, arrived in Germany with his performing partner Siegfried Fischbacher on Friday.

No details of his condition or treatment were given.

Blood pressure

Horn performed Siegfried and Roy tiger shows in Las Vegas for 13 years. The show was cancelled last August in view of the performer's long recovery period.

He blamed the stroke on blood pressure medication, not the tiger attack.

He has claimed that the 380lb (171kg) Bengal tiger, Montecore, was trying to move him out of danger after he fainted onstage.

"It was an accident," Horn told German broadcaster RTL last year. "Montecore understood the signals and wanted to save me."

But animal experts have disputed this theory.

The illusionist was clinically dead for a minute after the attack and doctors believe he was lucky to survive.