Roar for Tony & Captive Tigers on World Animal Day
People all over the world have become aware of the serious issue of captive tigers and big cats in the United States because of a very special tiger named Tony who has lived all of his sixteen years as a roadside attraction at a truck stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana USA. It is now estimated that close to 3,900 tigers remain in the wild, up from the previous estimate of as few as 3,200 in 2010…but in the United States, estimates range from 5,000-10,000 privately owned tigers!
Tony has been featured in the NY Times, Smithsonian Magazine, The Guardian, The Dodo, and most recently was the subject of a watercolor portrait exhibited in a library in New Jersey.
Anyone who has followed Tony’s story has experienced both its’ highs and lows. Hard fought victories in court by the Animal Legal Defense Fund found the permit issued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was illegal and revoked; LDWF was blocked from issuing a new permit. Each victory was met with an appeal by Tony’s owner, Michael Sandlin, and subsequently each appeal was denied. A timeline of Tony’s case can be viewed at this link: http://aldf.org/cases-campaigns/timelines/tony-the-tiger/
After exhausting all of his options via the courts, Mr. Sandlin enlisted his state Senator, Rick Ward, to propose a bill, SB 250, to exempt himself from Louisiana state law banning private ownership of big cats. The legislation was passed by the Louisiana Legislature and signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. The Animal Legal Defense Fund continues their legal battle for Tony’s release to a reputable big cat sanctuary.
Tony’s change.org petition asking the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to enforce the 2006 law banning private ownership of big cats remains open and has over 56,000 signatures. Please sign – it is open to everyone.
Residents of the United States can help big cats like Tony by supporting legislation to ban private ownership of big cats. Ask your congress members to support the Big Cat Public Safety Act. Visit: catlaws.com for more info.
Tony has become the “Ambassador” for captive U.S. tigers and has raised awareness to this serious issue globally through social media.
Join ~ Follow ~ Share these social networking sites for Tony
Facebook: facebook.com/FreeTonyTheTiger
Twitter:
@FreeTonyTiger
@TonyTiger2000
Instagram: @tonythetruckstoptiger
Youtube: youtube.com/user/FreeTonyTheTiger
WordPress: freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/
If you visit Tony, document your visit with pictures and/or video and please share them. Send us a tweet via Twitter or email: tonythetruckstoptiger2016@gmail.com
We truly appreciate everyone’s dedication to Tony and positive support of his release to a reputable big cat sanctuary. We will continue to advocate for his release to a reputable big cat sanctuary.
- Contact Email: tonythetruckstoptiger2016@gmail.com
- Organised by: Dee DeSantis