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Loading...Battle to Free Truck Stop Tiger Continues
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Lousiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to have Tony, the 11-year-old tiger who’s been living on display at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, La., moved to a sanctuary.
The ALDF sued the LDWF and its secretary Robert Barham on Tony’s behalf last year arguing that granting Tony’s owner, Michael Sandlin, a permit in the first place violated state law. Judge R. Michael Caldwell granted the ALDF’s request for a permanent injunction against the LDWF, preventing them from renewing the annual permit that allows Sandlin to keep Tony.
Unfortunately that decision was overturned because Sandlin was not part of the lawsuit. In November Judge Caldwell ordered the LDWF to revoke Michael Sandlin’s permit to keep Tony and bar him from obtaining another permit in the future. Tony’s advocates, who have been fighting this issue for years, cheered the decision …it seemed like he would finally be free.
Oddly enough, Sandlin’s permit expired at the end of December, yet Tony is still stuck in his concrete prison because Sandlin appealed the decision and nothing can be done until the appeals process is complete.
The ALDF’s new lawsuit is seeking to have the LDWF report Sandlin to local law enforcement for violating a 2006 ban on private ownership of big cats, which Sandlin is currently challenging.
“The state of Louisiana has explicit regulations designed to protect tigers like Tony, and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is required to enforce them,’’ said Stephen Wells, ALDF’s Executive Director.
“The court has already granted Tony and ALDF a victory by ruling that Michael Sandlin’s permit to display Tony was illegal. Sandlin, now without a permit, cannot be allowed to continue to exploit this tiger with impunity,’’ he said.
If Sandlin loses his appeal, he will have 30 days to move Tony to a sanctuary.
Related Posts:
Victory! Tiger Truck Stop’s Permit Revoked
Truck Stop Tiger Ruling Overturned
Lawsuit Filed to Free Truck Stop Tiger
Read more: animal abuse, animal legal defense fund, big cats, captive wildlife, exotic pets, grosse tete, ldwf, louisiana, tony, truck stop tiger
Photo credit: frankenspock
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+ add your ownI cannot understand how the law allows this man to do this to the tiger. It's sick and shameful!
I just hope he doesn't die before something good happens in his life.
I agree with everyone above. We moved out of the Middle Ages several centuries ago. We left behind the need to see exotic animals in little cages when we learned that all animals need to be treated with respect. Or at least, most of us learned it. I am with Pinkie. Where are the picketers in Louisiana if they aren't lining up to gawk at Tony. The world is still full of redneck imbeciles; Louisiana does have more than its share. (I speak from experience.)
I ask my boyfriend, who drives that way a lot, to check in on Tony for me and we always try to make sure he has a little extra money to donate to the cause of keeping Tony there. I sincerely hope that he gets to stay in his wonderful home for the rest of his hopefully long life.
Here Ye, Here Ye.....if the law cannot protect this animal, then we as the people need to stand up for this poor overheated, cramped quarters and no mental stimulation.....
Picket the hell out of that gas station, asking people to take their business elsewhere. The owner only speaks money, when this is affected...Tony will be released.
Picket the highway entrance letting motorists know to purchase their supplies elsewhere.
If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.
---St. Francis of Assisi
Why is this tiger still at the truckstop? Is he ever going to be free? How many millions of petitions and court cases is it going to take? This is ludicrous! Someone go and rescue him! Just do it! I would if I could but I'm in Australia. Somebody must be able to do something about this!
What the heck is wrong with people in Louisiana?? If this Mr. Sandlin would live anywhere near to me..I would be sitting on his door making troubles each and every day! Why the ....aren't folks ??I do not understand!
My biggest fear here,is that something will happen to poor Tony,before he ever gets to the Sanctuary!! How can this take so long?? Isn't there any justice?? any mercy??any love for poor animal?? How can any parent bring their kids to see Tony???
POOR ANIMAL, COME ON NEW ORLEANS, FREE THIS POOR TIGER AND ALL THE OTHER IMPRISONED ANIMALS. UNTIL EVERY CAGE IS EMPTY! ......
Take Mr. Sandlin, put his butt in a cage, leave him there until he decides that maybe being forced to live in one isn't such a good idea after all. I loathe people who cage animals. Wild animals were meant to be free and roam a wide range of land. Who in the hell got the idea they would do well pent in a tiny little cage that allows them almost no movement, no chance to exercise, nothing to challenge their instincts? It should be against the law in every state, every city, every municipality. No wild animals in cages.....NEVER!!! So Mr. Sandlin, it looks as though you're going to lose, so why not be a decent sport and turn this tiger over to someone who cares about his well-being now?
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