Sonia Horon, exclusive to Global Animal
The fight to free Tony, the Siberian-Bengal tiger famously caged and put on display at Grosse Tete, Louisiana’s Tiger Truck Stop, continues. The Louisiana Supreme Court has denied a petition to review the Court of Appeal’s decision, which ruled in favor of the captive tiger.
The Louisiana Court of Appeal ruled that Michael Sandlin, the person responsible for caging the tiger, did not in fact have the right to a grandfather permit, which would allow him to keep the tiger in spite of the state’s exotic cat laws.

In 2011, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) sued the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for wrongfully releasing the permit allowing Sandlin to cage and display Tony. Sandlin has been attempting to challenge the ruling, but the Supreme Court has shut him down.
Unfortunately Sandlin, who clearly has no actual interest in Tony’s well-being, declared if he is forced to give up the tiger, he will send the animal to the notoriously negligent G.W. Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.
G.W. Exotic is famous for it’s exploitation of tiger cubs. The roadside zoo was investigated by the Humane Society of the United States last year after 23 of G.W. Exotic’s imprisoned baby tigers died. During the investigation, five more captive tigers died under the facility’s “care.”
The park’s owner, Joe Schreibvogel, or “Joe Exotic,” is possibly the largest private owner of tigers in the U.S., with as many as 200 tigers and more than 1,000 other animals. Just last weekend, the controversial park became the subject of further controversy after a woman was attacked by a tiger on the premises.
Megan Backus from ALDF says their non-profit law organization is doing everything in their power to ensure that Tony will not be going to this wildlife jail.
“ALDF is asking the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to investigate the horrific attack at G.W. Exotic.
Given the animal welfare and public safety failings at G.W. Exotic, ALDF is calling on LDWF to ensure that Tony is transferred to a legitimate and reputable sanctuary. Sending Tony to G.W. Exotic would violate both Louisiana and Oklahoma state laws.”
Signed
Amazing how the headline reports that the Supreme Court upheld the Decision when what they did was refuse to hear the case. That is far form upholding the decision.
IMO, this Campaign of hate is Disgraceful. ALDF (Abuse an animal – Go to Jail) is Aware and does nothing to Stop the Unnecessary Appalling Ignorance of Feeding Live Domestic Rabbits to fierce bobcats at Unethical Rehab Facilities where they are barbarically tortured and ripped apart alive for no good reason, yet promotes an obviously healthy and loved tiger as being abused to be taken from his bonded owner on a permit issue.
I am ashamed of this dishonorable behavior, lack of compassion and morals.
The truth about Tony
http://causes.worldpeacemeet.com/keeptonyhome/
So, Tony wins, but it will probably cost him his life. To take him form the love and location where he has been his entire life will probably cost his life. And no, the Court did not rule in favor of anyone, they refused to hear the case. That's like saying we won a game because we didn't play. I feel really bad for Tony and his owner.
What a vindictive monster that creep is ……….. he is just showing his TRUE colors about how much he ACTUALLY cared about that voiceless creature who has been DEPRIVED of a natural habitat for all those years!
Please sign and share Tony's petition: LDWF: Enforce Louisiana State Law & Ensure Tony The Tiger Is Released To A Reputable Sanctuary http://www.change.org/petitions/ldwf-enforce-louisiana-state-law-ensure-tony-the-tiger-is-released-to-a-reputable-sanctuary
Hoorah. Petition signed.
[…] Direct Link To Article: http://globalanimal.org/2013/10/10/tony-the-truck-stop-tiger-triumphs/ […]
Help keep the pressure on LDWF: Plz sign and share Tony's petition: LDWF: Enforce Louisiana State Law & Ensure Tony The Tiger Is Released To A Reputable Sanctuary http://www.change.org/petitions/ldwf-enforce-louisiana-state-law-ensure-tony-the-tiger-is-released-to-a-reputable-sanctuary
Sure hope that they send this tiger to a safe place where the care will be better.