Remembering Tony The Tiger on World Animal Day
Almost 2 years ago, we lost a very special tiger known all over the world. Tony was a Siberian-Bengal Tiger who spent all of his 17 years as a roadside attraction at a truck stop in Louisiana. Many people fought for Tony’s release to an accredited big cat sanctuary. In 2011, The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for unlawfully issuing Michael Sandlin (owner of Tiger Truck Stop) a permit to exhibit Tony the Tiger. Each victory in court found the permit illegal, but was met with an appeal by Mr. Sandlin. The case dragged on for years while Tony languished in his concrete and steel prison.
Sadly, on October 16, 2017, Tony died. ALDF and Tony’s friends never gave up the fight for his freedom. Tony raised tremendous global awareness to the captive tiger and big cat issue; he truly was an Ambassador. In Tony’s memory and honor, we will continue to be a voice for captive tigers and big cats.
If you are a resident of the United States, please take a moment to ask your representatives to support The Big Cat Public Safety Act a federal bill that would address two of the biggest sources of abuse of big cats by ending owning big cats as pets and stopping exploitative roadside zoos from offering cub petting and photo ops. You can read more about this bill, and take action to support it, from our good friends at Big Cat Rescue of Tampa Florida at this link: https://bigcatrescue.org/big-cat-act/
The Senate version of this bill, S.2561 was just introduced by Senator Blumenthal of Connecticut and I am proud to say that both of my Senators from New Jersey, Senator Booker and Senator Menedez are co-sponsors of The Big Cat Public Safety Act.
This petition urging Mr. Sandlin to give up his pursuit of another tiger is also still open: https://act.aldf.org/page/6167/petition/1
All of Tony’s social media accounts remain open to network information on how you can help captive big cats in the United States. We hope you will continue to support them:
Facebook: facebook.com/FreeTonyTheTiger
Twitter:
@FreeTonyTiger
@TonyTiger2000
Instagram: @tonythetruckstoptiger
WordPress: freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/
Youtube: youtube.com/user/FreeTonyTheTiger
Thanks to ALL of Tony’s friends for your friendship, support and love. We imagine our handsome striped friend is finally free to wander and run in green grass, swim to his heart’s content and frolic with his tiger friends. We will never ever forget you “ T. “
#FreeTonyTiger
- Contact Name: Dee DeSantis
- Contact Email: freetonythetiger@yahoo.com
- Organised by: Dee DeSantis