Tony the Truck Stop Tiger still waiting

Tony the Truck Stop

Tiger still waiting

Bonnie Snider

Animal Advocacy Examiner

December 10, 2011 – Like this? Subscribe to get instant updates.

Courtesy of ©Mary Haik

http://www.examiner.com/animal-advocacy-in-national/when-will-tony-be-free-picture-1

 Courtesy of ©Mary Haik

http://www.examiner.com/animal-advocacy-in-national/tony-s-journey-video-1

Video: Tony’s Journey

Back on November 3rd, the article was published about the huge victory for Tony the Truck Stop Tiger.  The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ADLF) in concert with advocates for Tony had succeeded in getting a court decision that the permit to keep Tony imprisoned was unlawfully issued and would be revoked, with no new permits ever being issued.  You can read that story here.

Sadly, the good news has been short-lived.  On November 30th, Tony’s guardian and owner of the Tiger Truck Stop, Michael Sandlin, has filed an appeal of the decision.  Also, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries filed papers regarding the decision that stated they were responsible for the costs.

All of this legal wrangling means that Tony stays right where he is.  This is even in the face of the fact that the current permit expires this month, regardless of the court decision.

Tony is an 11-year-old Siberian-Bengal tiger who has been used as nothing more than an attraction at the truck stop, living in an enclosure where he is taunted by tourists and breathes the gas and diesel fumes constantly.  The fight to free Tony has gone on for years, with roadblocks being thrown up at every turn trying to keep him in this prison.  You can read Tony’s story in detail at the Free Tony the Tiger website linked below.

The youngest advocate in Tony’s campaign, 11-year-old Breawna Smith, visited Tony on November 19th and took several videos.  The video provided here courtesy of Ms. Smith is one she had created called “Tony’s Journey” and includes her narration of a poem she wrote for him.  It’s heartbreaking to see this magnificent animal reduced to this existence. You can visit her YouTube site at the link below to view all of the videos she’s taken of Tony.

Who knows how long this latest round of legal maneuvers will take, all the while as Tony waits. Even though Judge R. Michael Caldwell agreed that the permit should be revoked, which would have set Tony free, Sandlin simply won’t allow Tony to have that peaceful life.  He wants his “main attraction” to stay, bringing in the customers and of course, the income.

It appears that Tony is caught in the middle of a tug-of-war between what’s right and just, and pure and simple greed.  This magnificent animal is wasting away right before our very eyes, while the slow wheels of bureaucracy grind on.

The petition at Care2 is linked below.  While advocates believed their voices had been heard and Tony was finally to be free, such is not the case and your voices are still needed for Tony.  Please consider adding your voice to this petition for Tony.  (The petitions at Care2 normally allow for anyone from any country to sign.)

Advocates in Tony’s campaign have vowed to never give up.  As his staunchest supporter and Founder of the Free Tony the Tiger campaign, Sky Williamson’s motto says: “Until His Last Breath…” That one statement says it all.

Don’t give up Tony.  Advocates everywhere are fighting for you to finally know the peaceful life you so deserve.

Click here to sign the petition:  “Free Tony the Truck Stop Tiger Now, Not Later”.

Click here for Tony’s story at the Free Tony the Tiger website.

Click here for the YouTube site for lovebigcats2011 for more videos of Tony.

Click here for the ADLF website updates on Tony.

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http://www.examiner.com/animal-advocacy-in-national/tony-the-truck-stop-tiger-still-waiting

Judge Rules To Remove Tiger From Grosse Tete Truck Stop

New Orleans,
LA on
msnbc.com

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45165645/ns/local_news-new_orleans_la/t/judge-rules-remove-tiger-grosse-tete-truck-stop/

Owner: Every American Should
Have The Right To Own Exotic Animals

WDSU.com

updated
11/4/2011 3:16:48 PM ET2011-11-04T19:16:48

GROSSE TETE, La. — WDSU .com

The debate over whether a tiger
can remain as an attraction at a Grosse Tete truck stop has been clawed at for
years. A state judge ruled that the Tiger Truck Stop owner could no longer keep
his tiger, Tony, at the gas station. Michael Sandlin, Tony’s owner, said
thousands have come to marvel at the exotic animal on display at the truck stop.
“We’re from Florida and we were on our way to Texas and it was kind of amazing
to see a big cat here,” said Jody McGahan, a Tiger Truck Stop customer. “He’s
beautiful” “Every American should have the right to own an exotic animal of
their choice if they’re financially and morally capable of taking care of that
animal,” Sandlin said. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries gave Sandlin a
permit to keep the tiger, but a nonprofit group, the Animal Legal Defense Fund
filed a lawsuit against the agency in a bid to have the cat moved to a more
natural setting.

“They want to yank him
from the only home he’s known for the past 10 years and the people that he’s
known and send him to another cage somewhere where he won’t have that,” Sandlin
said.

The paddock the animal is kept in appears larger than some zoo
exhibits with a grassy area, a tank for the tiger to swim in, toys, shade and an
air conditioned room for Tony. The barred cage is surrounded by a barbed-wire
fence and the truck stop is staffed 24 hours, Sandlin said. Regardless, a judge
will have to decide if the attraction will be allowed to stay. “He’s beautiful.
I would miss him,” McGahan said. Sandlin hasn’t filed an appeal yet, but his
attorney said he plans to do so. The Animal Legal Defense Fund said it will
“continue to do everything we can to make sure Tony’s next home is a reputable,
accredited sanctuary that can give Tony the life he deserves.”

“Tony’s Journey” a Tribute to Tony the Truck Stop Tiger By: Breawna Smith

TONY GETS A PHYSICAL …OCT 27, 2011

 

For Legal Reasons this was not going to be posted until after the trial but since 2 pages have already posted it- I guess there is NO reason not to share it now. Think about it – why would Sandlin get a physical for Tony right before court? Use your common sense…..

DO NOTICE HOW SHANNON THE VET DARTS TONY ON TOP OF THE
CONCRETE DEN THEREFORE HE CAN FALL OFF AND BREAK HIS NECK. WOULD IT HAVE BEEN
SO HARD TO THROW A PIECE OF MEAT DOWN ON THE FLOOR SO HE WAS NOT IN DANGER OF
FALLING????? SO IN REALITY THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF SEDATING TONY WAS THAT
THE VET DID IT IN A PLACE WHERE HE COULD HAVE FELL AND BROKE
BONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RIGHT FROM THE START THE LIES BEGIN- TONY HAS ONLY HAD A VET SINCE 2008. HE NEVER HAD ONE BEFORE. 2.) AFTER ALL THE FIGHTING ABOUT SEDATION LOOK WHAT THEY DID. ★★★MESSAGE FOR JOE EXOTIC-MR. EXPERT★★★ LOOK JOE EXOTIC ONCE AGAIN YOU MADE AN A** OUT OF YOURSELF AND YOUR WORDS ARE BITING YOU IN THE A**

EXCUSE ME! YOU DO NOT “CLEAN” TEETH WITH PLIERS- YOU PULL TEETH WITH THEM. YOU GUYS REALLY THINK WE ARE A BUNCH OF REALLY DUMB PEOPLE………
THE VIDEO SAYS TONY PASSES WITH FLYING COLORS……… HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW THAT WITHOUT GETTING THE TEST RESULTS BACK??????

THIS IS WHAT JAMES PLATT POSTED: “that is one awful song! too bad you had to have this done, but it proves you were right and Tony is okay”.
beerkat88 3 days ago

THIS IS THE SAME IDIOT THAT CLAIMS THAT HE DID SO MUCH TO HELP TONY TO FREEDOM!!!!!!

 

I Can’t Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand….Michael Sandlin

Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Reply To "Appeals Court Overturns Tiger Truck Stop Decision" 8.29.2011

Here is the response from The Animal Legal Defense Fund concerning this decision (re: Appeals court overturns Tiger Truck Stop decision 8.29.2011)

“This morning, the Louisiana Court of Appeals ruled that Michael Sandlin and the Tiger Truck Stop are necessary parties to the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s lawsuit to free Tony the Tiger and ordered a new trial in the case. In so ruling, the Court vacated the permanent injunction issued by the trial court that would have freed Tony in December. The decision means ALDF will need to amend its complaint to add the new defendants, then re-do the litigation thus far. While we disagree with the Court of Appeals’ ruling, this is just a minor set-back. We are confident that the trial court got the law right the first time around and will rule the same way when we go through it again with Mr. Sandlin and the Tiger Truck Stop as parties.”

Appeals court overturns Tiger Truck Stop decision 8.29.2011  

Posted: Aug 29, 2011 12:38 PM
Updated: Aug 29, 2011 2:26 PM

BATON ROUGE – An appeals court today threw out a ruling the state couldn’t issue any new large animal permits to Tiger Truck Stop, whose big cat has been the center of big controversy among animal rights groups.

The decision by the First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a ruling from District Judge Mike Caldwell this past May. He ruled in favor of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit group that sued the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to stop issuing the permits.

The Tiger Truck Stop and its owner, Mike Sandlin, were not part of the proceedings, which is why the 1st Circuit said they overturned the motion. They also vacated Caldwell’s order for a permanent injunction and sent it back to the District Court for further proceedings.

The Truck Stop’s 550-pound tiger named “Tony” has drawn criticism from animal rights groups like the ALDF, who believe the fumes, inadequate enclosure and stream of visitors are detrimental to the tiger’s health.

A date for a new trial had not been set yet.

http://www.wbrz.com/news/appeals-court-overturns-tiger-truck-stop-decision/

Saving Tony The Tiger

by The Pawz Cauze Show

in Pets

Airdate: Thu, Aug 11, 2011

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(646) 716-9947

If you liked this show, you can follow The Pawz Cauze Show.

 

Just when I loose faith in our youth today, along comes an 11 year old young lady with a passion for large cats. Well, all my loyal listeners know that the way to my heart is through cats of all shapes, sizes, and breeds. This one young person has made it her mission to save Tony The Tiger who has been locked in a cement and iron prison, alone, for over 10 years at a truck stop while putting up with being alone, teased, harrassed, loud sounds at all hours of the day and night and inhaling toxic fumes.
Join me as I talk to this little package of huge inspiration and we will hear all about what she has done to help Tony become free. Now we have won one battle. The owner of the truck stop was denied a renewal license to keep Tony but his current license doesn’t end until the end of December. Poor Tony needed to be set free 10 years ago!
So be sure not to miss this show. Let little Breawna inspire you just as she has inspired me and hundreds of other people whom she has met. She even created a T-shirt line to help free Tony.
See you in cyberspace. Pawz up! Ice……..

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thepawzcauze/2011/08/11/saving-tony-the-tiger

/btrplayer300.swf

 

LIES ABOUT CARING PEOPLE TRYING TO HELP TONY.

A new video came out on YouTube called Lies about Tony, and once again this video was professionally edited, altered and voiced over by Sandlins personal church going friend Ted Baldwin who is a political reporter who works for http://insidelanews.com/

They both attend: http://www.mccbr.org/

This video is full of lies that this campaign feels could be harmful to Tony’s well being.

LINK TO VIDEO: http://bit.ly/mlmc7O

“Anyone who doesn’t take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.”

Albert Einstein

An important comment and lie that Sandlin keeps throwing out there is that “activists” are poisoning Tony this is a very damaging and slanderous statement that is fabricated by Sandlin ~ its almost as if he is setting it up so that if something should ever happen to Tony he will blame the thousands of caring animal activist that are concerned for Tonys life.

WE HAVE SENT AN EMAIL TO THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND ADVISING THEM THAT SANDLIN AND TED KEEP THROWING OUT THAT WORD. POISON. IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO TONY, NOT ONE “ACTIVIST” I KNOW WOULD EVEN GO TO LOUISIANA DUE TO THE FACT ALONE THAT IT’S TOO DANGEROUS.

People that allow Sandlin to keep this dangerous game up and keep placating him are not to be taken lightly. Sandlin in no way wants Tony to leave the truck stop, he is stopping at nothing, and playing dirty now. What does this mean for poor Tony? Will he make it out of there alive?

HE USES THE WORD ACTIVISTS AS A SCARE TACTIC. SURE THERE ARE ACTIVISTS THAT ARE EXTREME BUT THIS CAMPAIGN HAS NEVER ONCE BEEN EXTREME OR THREATENED ANYONE. WE JUST TELL THE TRUTH BASED ON LEGAL DOCUMENTATION THAT WE HAVE READ AND OBTAINED THRU THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. WE HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS DAILY WORKING ON SPREADING TONY’S STORY, AND NOW WE HAVE THIS MAN SANDLIN WHO IS IN PANIC MODE AND IS HAVING KNEE JERK VIDEOS MADE THAT ARE FULL OF TALL TALES, IS TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK THERE IS SOME CRAZY ACTIVISTS STALKING HIM AND HANGING AROUND THE CAGE?? REALLY? SANDLIN AND BALDWIN YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR ACT ON THE ROAD AND MAKE YOUR MONEY THAT WAY INSTEAD OF EXPLOITING A MAJESTIC TIGER LIKE TONY FOR YOUR GRAVY TRAIN.

WE WOULD RATHER YOU CALL US CARING TIGER LOVERS THAN CRAZY ACTIVISTS FOR THE RECORD.

THIS LATEST VIDEO CALLED LIES ABOUT TONY ON YOUTUBE IS A SAD PRODUCTION DONE BY A MAN WHO IS SEEKING FAME .WE CANT WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER 2011 WHEN WE CAN CLOSE THIS PAGE DOWN AND NEVER HEAR YOUR LOUSY NAMES AGAIN AS TONY WILL BE SAFE FROM THE LIKES OF MEN WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT TREATING WILD TIGERS. THE POOL IS A HORSE TROUGH WITH NO FILTER SYSTEM. TONY HAS NEVER BEEN IN IT ONCE, NICE ATTEMPT WITH THE NEW STAIRS THOUGH. IF HE HAD SANDLIN WOULD HAVE PICTURES PLASTERED ACROSS THE INTERNET.

©2008-2020, ™ FREE TONY THE TIGER CAMPAIGN. All rights reserved.

Lies About Tony ~ Video by: Tiger Truck Stop ~ Michael Sandlin

Lies About Tony ~

http://youtu.be/zBAeJfc19oo

Uploaded by tigertruckstop on Jun 21, 2011 ~IF EVER THERE WAS A VIDEO MADE OF TONY, THAT HAD NOT ONE OUNCE OF TRUTH IN IT, IT IS THIS VIDEO HERE. IT’S TOTAL CONTENT IS WRONG, IT IS EDITED, IT LIES FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END AND IT IS A DISGRACE TO TONY AND THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE HIM~ AND IT HAS TO BE SHARED WITH THE WORLD…

Lies About Tony ~ by: tigertruckstop VIDEO #2

THE VIDEO SHOULD BE TITLED TONY’S LIFE OF HELL!!!