Capitalizing from a wild animal by subjecting it to live under inadequate conditions, forcing it to cope with traffic noise harassment and elements that are completely unnatural to a wild animal is outrageous and simply shouldn’t happen. I unfortunately came across this story too late, but it must be shared.

From  Be The Change for Animals:

Tony, a tiger held at the Tiger Truck Stop in Gross Tete, Louisiana, lives in a chain link and concrete cell surrounded by idling truck engines and diesel fumes — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Tony can never escape the noise, the flood lights and the boredom as he paces back and forth. Due to the harassment he receives, a sign asks people not to throw rocks at him.

Carole Baskin, Founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue of Tampa FL , has offered Tony sanctuary but Tony’s owner, Michael Sandlin, refuses.

ACT NOW!

In December 2010, the permit allowing Sandlin to continue his exploitation of Tony is up for renewal. Please write Louisiana representatives to deny this renewal and to end to the private trade of tigers.

  • Send a letter (using Big Cat Action Alert’s one-step form) urging the USDA, Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service and more to end to the trade in tigers in private hands.
  • Sign the Change.org petition calling for the denial of Micheal Sandlin’s permit.
  • Share this story with friends and ask them to act too on Facebook,   Twitter and  YouTube.

WHY IT MATTERS

Iberville Parish Council passed legislation in 1993 that prohibits private ownership and display of exotic animals, including tigers. When animal welfare groups attempted to have the law enforced, Sandlin fought for an exemption.  The Iberville Parish Council amended the law in his favor on 14 December, 2009. Sandlin’s website now asks that a female be donated for breeding to perpetuate the exploitive cycle. According to Big Cat Rescue, there already more tigers languishing in captivity than in the wild.

This is where Tony lives now.

And this is where he could live. Carole Baskin of Big Cat Rescue of Tampa, FL talks about the care these tigers require and the need for legislation and enforcement to spare them from the perils of exploitation and abuse.

Lend your voice for Tony today. Together, we can push those in power to make the last 5-10 years of this caged tiger’s life a peaceful experience and stop future abuse.