Take Action For Tony The Tiger

The stench of fuel. The deafening sound of diesel engines. The never ending boredom of captivity and isolation. Such are the conditions in which Tony, a 10-year-old Siberian-Bengal tiger, has spent every day and night of the last decade at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana. It’s no life for a tiger, or any other animal.

Join the Animal Legal Defense Fund in urging the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to revoke the permit that allows Michael Sandlin to display Tony at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana, where he has lived with no other tiger companions since 2003.

In addition to being subjected to noise and diesel fumes 24-hours a day, Tony is also frequently harassed and taunted by visitors at the truck stop. His enclosure is devoid of adequate enrichment, such as logs, trees, or complex vegetation that would allow him to engage in natural tiger behaviors. He has no pool of water large enough to allow him to submerge himself to cool off in the blazing heat of the summer. As a result of the stress of his confinement, Tony constantly paces on the hard concrete surface of his enclosure.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has filed a lawsuit in Louisiana, arguing that the permit that allows Tony to languish in a roadside cage violates state law. Your voice is needed to help get Tony moved to a reputable and humane big cat sanctuary, where he can live out his natural life free of the fumes, toxins, and noise that make his current life so miserable.

Sign the petition to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries now!

ALDF Filed A Law Suit To Free Tony The Tiger

Tony the Tiger, a 10 year old Siberian Bengal tiger who has been living in a truck stop in Gross Tete, Louisiana for all of his life. His owner Michael Sandlin uses him as a mere attraction.

Sadly, Tony has not ever lived like a real tiger. He has always lived in a concrete cage where he is surrounded by visitors. He can smell fuel and diesel engines all day long. There is no escape for him and he has no partner since 2003. It is sad and unfair.

Although, activists have been fighting for year to free Tony but they have been unsuccessful so far. The LDWF recently renewed Sandlin's permit to keep Tony even so much of pressure from animal activists and groups.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) has filed a lawsuit against LDWF and its secretary Robert Barham arguing that granting Sandlin a permit violated the state law in the first place. According to the state law, there is a ban on the private ownership of tigers in Louisiana. Interesting thing is that Sandlin does not even legally possess Tony and nor does he live on the premises where Tony is kept so he is not eligible for what is known as the grandfather permit. But, LDWF issued him one even then.

While Sandlin has 20 years worth of USDA violations under his name as he kept and displayed an exotic animal for the longest time now. Tony was stuck with the caged life because Iberville Parish Council decided to amend the ordinance making it legal to keep a tiger.

Anyhow, ALDF is taking LDWF to court to invalidate this illegally issued permit and free Tony from this troubled life at the truck stop. I have seen small cats who love their freedom. They go crazy to go out in the grass because freedom is what they desire the most and here we see a big tiger who is caged like a bird. No matter how old he is now and perhaps he would not even be comfortable with his freedom first but I think it is crazy to keep in a truck stop shop like that.

Please Take Action and Support This Cause So That LDWF Revokes Sandlin's Permit!

Sad News For Tony The Tiger

Truck Stop where Tony is Exhibited

Sometime ago we heard about Tony the tiger who is put in unacceptable and unhealthy conditions locked up in a cage at a truck stop in Louisiana. More than 40,000 people signed up a petition that was sent to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife to not renew the state permit to Tony's owner, Michael Sandlin. This means, Tony will remain in a cage and shown as a road side attraction by his owner.

We need to continue raising our voice against this inhumanity towards Tony. It is absolutely silly to hear about such things happening in such civilized places. Everybody knows big cats need big space for a healthy life. Such inhuman acts also mean that the animal can get fierce and can cause harm to  people or animals around itself in rage besides becoming unhealthy and sad.

Tony The Tiger Deserves A Better Home

Look at Tony's pictures...isn't it absolutely sad to see him caged up like some parrot. These days we say to free the birds also and this is quite insane.

Please Take Action and Sign The Petition. Help Tony The Tiger