Tony the truckstop tiger - Letter to CNN
Target:
Attention all animal lovers
Sponsored by:
I am writing in regard to a long-time issue to many, involving Tony the Tiger at a Louisiana truck stop owned by Michael Sandlin. He is being kept as a roadside attraction in very small confinement. Tony is only residing there for the "mighty buck" for tourists which have been observed at about 100 visitors to Tony%u2019s habitat in about 45 minutes.
Sandlin has displayed five tigers since the Tiger Truck Stop opened in 1988 %u2014 "Our tigers before Tony, and now Tony, are what have made this truck stop famous," he said %u2014 and Tony, born in 2000, is the last one left. Sandlin was forced to turn over two other tigers in 2003.
We tried winning the fight for this poor cats release to a better environment but the council voted 11-1 to allow him to keep Tony %u2014 a decision that directly opposes parish ordinances restricting private ownership of exotic and dangerous animals.
Sandlin now qualifies for a permit from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that will enable him to legally keep the 550-pound tiger %u2014 that he has raised since it was a cub %u2014 at his truck stop for good. He was to comply with the conditions necessary to ensure the safety of the public and the welfare of the tiger but the only changes that have been shown were the painting of his cage. His 20 years of violations have included having an insufficient number of trained employees, keeping the tiger in unsound facilities, having no veterinary care program for the tigers, and providing improper nutrition for the animals. This is not to mention inhaling diesel fumes and walking around in his own waste.
Several complaints have been filed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and written to the owner of the Tiger Truck Stop offering to help pay the costs to get the animals transferred to real sanctuaries but Judge Robin Free's injunction is keeping him there.
There are many petitions circulating to get this poor tiger into a sanctuary but at this point there have been no accomplishments.
Please help us by airing this issue and letting the rest of the world know that this is cruelty and can still be resolved in a way that is healthy for this creature of God (not Sandlin).
Sandlin has displayed five tigers since the Tiger Truck Stop opened in 1988 %u2014 "Our tigers before Tony, and now Tony, are what have made this truck stop famous," he said %u2014 and Tony, born in 2000, is the last one left. Sandlin was forced to turn over two other tigers in 2003.
We tried winning the fight for this poor cats release to a better environment but the council voted 11-1 to allow him to keep Tony %u2014 a decision that directly opposes parish ordinances restricting private ownership of exotic and dangerous animals.
Sandlin now qualifies for a permit from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that will enable him to legally keep the 550-pound tiger %u2014 that he has raised since it was a cub %u2014 at his truck stop for good. He was to comply with the conditions necessary to ensure the safety of the public and the welfare of the tiger but the only changes that have been shown were the painting of his cage. His 20 years of violations have included having an insufficient number of trained employees, keeping the tiger in unsound facilities, having no veterinary care program for the tigers, and providing improper nutrition for the animals. This is not to mention inhaling diesel fumes and walking around in his own waste.
Several complaints have been filed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and written to the owner of the Tiger Truck Stop offering to help pay the costs to get the animals transferred to real sanctuaries but Judge Robin Free's injunction is keeping him there.
There are many petitions circulating to get this poor tiger into a sanctuary but at this point there have been no accomplishments.
Please help us by airing this issue and letting the rest of the world know that this is cruelty and can still be resolved in a way that is healthy for this creature of God (not Sandlin).
I am writing in regard to a long-time issue to many, involving Tony the Tiger at a Louisiana truck stop owned by Michael Sandlin. He is being kept as a roadside attraction in very small confinement. Tony is only residing there for the "mighty buck" for tourists which have been observed at about 100 visitors to Tony%u2019s habitat in about 45 minutes.
Sandlin has displayed five tigers since the Tiger Truck Stop opened in 1988 %u2014 "Our tigers before Tony, and now Tony, are what have made this truck stop famous," he said %u2014 and Tony, born in 2000, is the last one left. Sandlin was forced to turn over two other tigers in 2003.
We tried winning the fight for this poor cats release to a better environment but the council voted 11-1 to allow him to keep Tony %u2014 a decision that directly opposes parish ordinances restricting private ownership of exotic and dangerous animals.
Sandlin now qualifies for a permit from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that will enable him to legally keep the 550-pound tiger %u2014 that he has raised since it was a cub %u2014 at his truck stop for good. He was to comply with the conditions necessary to ensure the safety of the public and the welfare of the tiger but the only changes that have been shown were the painting of his cage. His 20 years of violations have included having an insufficient number of trained employees, keeping the tiger in unsound facilities, having no veterinary care program for the tigers, and providing improper nutrition for the animals. This is not to mention inhaling diesel fumes and walking around in his own waste.
Several complaints have been filed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and written to the owner of the Tiger Truck Stop offering to help pay the costs to get the animals transferred to real sanctuaries but Judge Robin Free's injunction is keeping him there.
There are many petitions circulating to get this poor tiger into a sanctuary but at this point there have been no accomplishments.
Please help us by airing this issue and letting the rest of the world know that this is cruelty and can still be resolved in a way that is healthy for this creature of God (not Sandlin).
Sandlin has displayed five tigers since the Tiger Truck Stop opened in 1988 %u2014 "Our tigers before Tony, and now Tony, are what have made this truck stop famous," he said %u2014 and Tony, born in 2000, is the last one left. Sandlin was forced to turn over two other tigers in 2003.
We tried winning the fight for this poor cats release to a better environment but the council voted 11-1 to allow him to keep Tony %u2014 a decision that directly opposes parish ordinances restricting private ownership of exotic and dangerous animals.
Sandlin now qualifies for a permit from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that will enable him to legally keep the 550-pound tiger %u2014 that he has raised since it was a cub %u2014 at his truck stop for good. He was to comply with the conditions necessary to ensure the safety of the public and the welfare of the tiger but the only changes that have been shown were the painting of his cage. His 20 years of violations have included having an insufficient number of trained employees, keeping the tiger in unsound facilities, having no veterinary care program for the tigers, and providing improper nutrition for the animals. This is not to mention inhaling diesel fumes and walking around in his own waste.
Several complaints have been filed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and written to the owner of the Tiger Truck Stop offering to help pay the costs to get the animals transferred to real sanctuaries but Judge Robin Free's injunction is keeping him there.
There are many petitions circulating to get this poor tiger into a sanctuary but at this point there have been no accomplishments.
Please help us by airing this issue and letting the rest of the world know that this is cruelty and can still be resolved in a way that is healthy for this creature of God (not Sandlin).
We the undersigned are desperate to get this petition to as many as possible in hopes to try and get this poor tiger into a sanctuary and out of his present situation.
There are so many items to this issue that it is not possible to send them all to you but if you need anything please let us know.
Thank you in advance for your hopefull interest and compassion.
There are so many items to this issue that it is not possible to send them all to you but if you need anything please let us know.
Thank you in advance for your hopefull interest and compassion.
We signed the "Tony the truckstop tiger - Letter to CNN" petition!
# 1,021:
2:28 am PDT, Aug 27,
Nadean Davids, South Africa
# 1,020:
2:21 am PDT, Aug 27,
Michelle Erwee, South Africa
Animals are human too and should be treated with respect
Animals are human too and should be treated with respect
# 1,019:
10:03 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Valerie Wasson, Ohio
# 1,018:
6:18 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Anita Solomon, Florida
# 1,017:
5:34 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Deborah Black, Illinois
# 1,016:
3:03 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Kenneth Lapointe, Canada
# 1,015:
2:55 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Candi Ausman, California
# 1,014:
2:37 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Marjorie Nordin, Canada
Please release Tony to a better life- to people that will care for him properly- Give him his freedom to live in a home that is suited for him... With all my heart and for the love of this animal - I beg for his freedom.............
Please release Tony to a better life- to people that will care for him properly- Give him his freedom to live in a home that is suited for him... With all my heart and for the love of this animal - I beg for his freedom.............
# 1,013:
11:07 am PDT, Aug 26,
Annmarie Devine, Ireland
# 1,012:
8:25 am PDT, Aug 26,
Jean Auris, Florida
Michael Sandlin this is not a circus. This tiger is humiliated in front of Americans that go see him and taunt him. How can people in charge allow this humiliation. This tiger has been in a cage all his life, give him a chance for freedom for the short time of life he has. The joy of seeing him free should be payment enough.
Michael Sandlin this is not a circus. This tiger is humiliated in front of Americans that go see him and taunt him. How can people in charge allow this humiliation. This tiger has been in a cage all his life, give him a chance for freedom for the short time of life he has. The joy of seeing him free should be payment enough.
# 1,011:
8:06 am PDT, Aug 26,
Jennifer Smith, Texas
# 1,010:
6:52 am PDT, Aug 26,
Maria José Ferraria, Portugal
He shall be released!
He shall be released!
# 1,009:
5:19 am PDT, Aug 26,
Jerilyn Capaccione, Pennsylvania
# 1,008:
|
4:11 am PDT, Aug 26,
Anja MM, Germany
FREE TONY!! The poor guy doesn't deserve a life long imprisonment. He is a child of the wild, supposed to be FREE.... Shame on the abusers. Shame on them who let him live a terrible, lonely life in a cage. |
# 1,007:
3:53 am PDT, Aug 26,
Sarah Heald, United Kingdom
PLease support releasing him safely.
PLease support releasing him safely.
# 1,006:
2:39 am PDT, Aug 26,
Connie Paterson, Michigan
# 1,005:
2:12 am PDT, Aug 26,
Jessica Jansen, Netherlands
Placing a sign in the empty cage that Tony was able to go to a sanctuary will be very positive!
Placing a sign in the empty cage that Tony was able to go to a sanctuary will be very positive!
# 1,004:
1:57 am PDT, Aug 26,
Dwight Baker, Texas
# 1,003:
1:50 am PDT, Aug 26,
Lesley Millward, France
What has Tony done to be imprisoned all his life Michael Sandlin?, while your enjoying yourself in the "free world" and cashing in on all the bucks over his back.
What has Tony done to be imprisoned all his life Michael Sandlin?, while your enjoying yourself in the "free world" and cashing in on all the bucks over his back.
# 1,002:
1:37 am PDT, Aug 26,
Pamela Check, California
Please, get Tony out of that hell hole NOW!
Please, get Tony out of that hell hole NOW!
# 1,001:
12:44 am PDT, Aug 26,
Ana Marina Santos, Switzerland
All beings deserve to be respected and helped when in need. Help Tony, he needs our help now!
All beings deserve to be respected and helped when in need. Help Tony, he needs our help now!
# 1,000:
11:36 pm PDT, Aug 25,
JoAnna Birdsong, California
# 999:
8:59 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Margi Lebold, Utah
# 998:
8:55 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Gina Woods-Norris, California
# 997:
8:44 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Matthews Thomas, Texas
# 996:
8:34 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Charlene Shumate, Arkansas
How could any animal have a more boring life than Tony. Keeping him in this small cage, day after day is pure and simple animal abuse. Send Tony to live out his days at a snctuary where he can enjoy being a Tiger.
How could any animal have a more boring life than Tony. Keeping him in this small cage, day after day is pure and simple animal abuse. Send Tony to live out his days at a snctuary where he can enjoy being a Tiger.
# 995:
7:54 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Linda Reptik, Indiana
# 994:
6:56 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Lyn Conklin, New York
Tony does not belong behind bars, and harassed daily just to make this money hungry cruel man money. Tigers are too rare to become someone's money maker, and he needs to be his own kind and free to raom on better ground than this cage provides. If this man cares at all about this beautiful tiger, he will do the right thing and let him have a better life than the non life he has now. Truck stops are money makers without having caged wild life, so this truck stop owner is only looking for his few minutes of fame. At what cost to the harassed and abused, yes abused is the correct word. To keep Tony in these deplorable conditions is animal abuse of the worst kind, as this truck stop owner knows it's wrong to keep Tony caged like this, just for his own ego. I've got a tiger, and the rest of you poor truck stop owners don't could very well apply to this "man".
Tony does not belong behind bars, and harassed daily just to make this money hungry cruel man money. Tigers are too rare to become someone's money maker, and he needs to be his own kind and free to raom on better ground than this cage provides. If this man cares at all about this beautiful tiger, he will do the right thing and let him have a better life than the non life he has now. Truck stops are money makers without having caged wild life, so this truck stop owner is only looking for his few minutes of fame. At what cost to the harassed and abused, yes abused is the correct word. To keep Tony in these deplorable conditions is animal abuse of the worst kind, as this truck stop owner knows it's wrong to keep Tony caged like this, just for his own ego. I've got a tiger, and the rest of you poor truck stop owners don't could very well apply to this "man".
# 993:
6:26 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Kaylyn Rhoads, Ohio
# 992:
6:06 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Lori Childers, Florida
Let Tony go live out the rest of his life in a place that he will like,not in a place that you like him to be at.its heartless,and sad!!! PLEASE have a heart,and give him a chance at a better life!!
Let Tony go live out the rest of his life in a place that he will like,not in a place that you like him to be at.its heartless,and sad!!! PLEASE have a heart,and give him a chance at a better life!!
# 991:
5:48 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Millisa Davis, North Carolina
# 990:
5:12 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Patrick Kelly, Illinois
# 989:
4:59 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Troy Leutz, Michigan
Tigers should not have to live in a cage in a truck stop. It is very cruel and unhealthy. When the world finds out about this, people will be outraged.
Tigers should not have to live in a cage in a truck stop. It is very cruel and unhealthy. When the world finds out about this, people will be outraged.
# 988:
3:38 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Rosemary Mchugh, Ireland
The selfish prick responsible for this outrage should be taken out and shot!
The selfish prick responsible for this outrage should be taken out and shot!
# 987:
3:21 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Barbara Williams, Nevada
# 986:
3:15 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
# 985:
2:52 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Diane Van Weelie, Netherlands
Please, this tiger belongs in a sanctuary, not at a truck stop to be gawked at by tourists. It is cruel and inhumane to keep a tiger in a small, encloseure. This man's other tigers were removed, please removed Tony as well.
Please, this tiger belongs in a sanctuary, not at a truck stop to be gawked at by tourists. It is cruel and inhumane to keep a tiger in a small, encloseure. This man's other tigers were removed, please removed Tony as well.
# 984:
2:42 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Lisa Koehl, Connecticut
Please I am begging you to help Tony the Tiger!! He needs our help and does not deserve to be caged and chained up for entertainment and greedy reasons. It's all about the MONEY and not the welfare of this Big Cat. Please release him into the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa Florida. If someone from Abroad can care this much about an animal she doesn't know , can't you do so also? Please please hear our plea! Thank you
Please I am begging you to help Tony the Tiger!! He needs our help and does not deserve to be caged and chained up for entertainment and greedy reasons. It's all about the MONEY and not the welfare of this Big Cat. Please release him into the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa Florida. If someone from Abroad can care this much about an animal she doesn't know , can't you do so also? Please please hear our plea! Thank you
# 983:
2:10 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Sally Gray, California
this is so sad
this is so sad
# 982:
1:52 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Ineke Top, Netherlands
# 981:
1:39 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Maria Lowe, United Kingdom
# 980:
1:36 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Christine Vaudrin-Rios, Washington
We need to fight for Tony the tiger's freedom once and for all! This has gone on long enough. He is being abused, living in a small cage, walking in his own waste, being slowly poisoned by inhaling diesel fumes. I urge CNN to cover his story and help us give Tony the life he was meant to live. Thank you
We need to fight for Tony the tiger's freedom once and for all! This has gone on long enough. He is being abused, living in a small cage, walking in his own waste, being slowly poisoned by inhaling diesel fumes. I urge CNN to cover his story and help us give Tony the life he was meant to live. Thank you
# 979:
12:53 pm PDT, Aug 25,
MICHELE VONSTAICH, California
TONY DESERVES BETTER THEN SOME SMALL CONFINING CAGE!! HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN THAT THING?
TONY DESERVES BETTER THEN SOME SMALL CONFINING CAGE!! HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN THAT THING?
# 978:
12:50 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Helen Beasley, Kentucky
# 977:
12:47 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Kristi Knotts, California
# 976:
12:35 pm PDT, Aug 25,
John Hurst, United Kingdom
# 975:
12:23 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Lee Baron, New Jersey
# 973:
12:08 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Teresa Mac Tavish, Canada
# 972:
11:59 am PDT, Aug 25,
Aneliese Krulicki, Canada
# 971:
11:58 am PDT, Aug 25,
Tammy Green, California
# 970:
11:46 am PDT, Aug 25,
Janelle Kowal, Michigan
This is a disgrace to this regal animal and an injustice to his livelihood and everything a wild, great cat needs to thrive and live the life as he was designed, created and intended for; he was not created to be used for the petty, fleeting, voyeuristic enjoyment or amusment of people while they are traveling. This majestic animal has no place in this CONTINENT, let alone in the state of Louisiana at a roadside attraction in a cage; if the bottom of a barrel had a basement, this would be the basement and a zoo would be the barrel. He needs to go to a sanctuary since he will never survive being released back into his natural habitat since he has lived in captivity for so long and certainly has some emotional damage. It is not our right as human beings to rip other beings away from what they know and need to live in peace and to thrive, bringing them to places likes these, replacing their natural environment with cage bars and kibble to make us "famous" or provide entertainment for tourists. Tourists can visit these countries and see these animals in all of their natural splendor or you can rent a documentary or visit a sanctuary that is already in place because of the "Tony's" of the past. It is painfully obvious that his life as it is now stinks, and he is miserable and it is time we teach the children that this is not our right to do these things to animals; they are not here for our entertainment, amusement or to do what we wish with them to make a buck. They have feelings, needs and rights to be left in peace and if desired to be observed, then done so with respect, treading lightly and not harming them. Thank you.
This is a disgrace to this regal animal and an injustice to his livelihood and everything a wild, great cat needs to thrive and live the life as he was designed, created and intended for; he was not created to be used for the petty, fleeting, voyeuristic enjoyment or amusment of people while they are traveling. This majestic animal has no place in this CONTINENT, let alone in the state of Louisiana at a roadside attraction in a cage; if the bottom of a barrel had a basement, this would be the basement and a zoo would be the barrel. He needs to go to a sanctuary since he will never survive being released back into his natural habitat since he has lived in captivity for so long and certainly has some emotional damage. It is not our right as human beings to rip other beings away from what they know and need to live in peace and to thrive, bringing them to places likes these, replacing their natural environment with cage bars and kibble to make us "famous" or provide entertainment for tourists. Tourists can visit these countries and see these animals in all of their natural splendor or you can rent a documentary or visit a sanctuary that is already in place because of the "Tony's" of the past. It is painfully obvious that his life as it is now stinks, and he is miserable and it is time we teach the children that this is not our right to do these things to animals; they are not here for our entertainment, amusement or to do what we wish with them to make a buck. They have feelings, needs and rights to be left in peace and if desired to be observed, then done so with respect, treading lightly and not harming them. Thank you.
# 969:
11:42 am PDT, Aug 25,
Screamingbelle Belle, New Jersey
# 968:
11:38 am PDT, Aug 25,
Janice Hutto, Arkansas
# 967:
11:25 am PDT, Aug 25,
Georgina Hall, United Kingdom
please send this most beautiful cat to a santuary its cruel so cruel
please send this most beautiful cat to a santuary its cruel so cruel
# 966:
11:17 am PDT, Aug 25,
Beverly Fannin, Florida
# 965:
11:14 am PDT, Aug 25,
Donna Courtney, Florida
While I was vacationing In aruba, I seen this same sitiuation. 2 years later when I returned the tiger was gone. WHY? Because he died. Why doesn't Tony stick his wife in the cage for an attraction? See what would happen then
While I was vacationing In aruba, I seen this same sitiuation. 2 years later when I returned the tiger was gone. WHY? Because he died. Why doesn't Tony stick his wife in the cage for an attraction? See what would happen then
# 964:
11:03 am PDT, Aug 25,
Elaine Whitelaw, United Kingdom
Why has nothing been done to give this poor beast a life ??
Why has nothing been done to give this poor beast a life ??
# 963:
11:01 am PDT, Aug 25,
Debbie Logue, Georgia
# 962:
10:55 am PDT, Aug 25,
Michael thomas Fisher, United Kingdom
# 961:
10:52 am PDT, Aug 25,
Eva Truedsson, Sweden
# 960:
10:35 am PDT, Aug 25,
Arielle Smith, Georgia
This is repulsive - such a magnificent creature in such a confined area? How could anyone be so inhumane?
This is repulsive - such a magnificent creature in such a confined area? How could anyone be so inhumane?
# 959:
9:58 am PDT, Aug 25,
Karine Sauvageot, France
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 958:
9:07 am PDT, Aug 25,
Samantha Lippy, Pennsylvania
# 957:
2:56 pm PDT, Aug 24,
Sarah Panullo, Pennsylvania
# 956:
11:37 am PDT, Aug 24,
Reiner Lindler, Germany
# 955:
4:13 am PDT, Aug 22,
Mizzie Jones, United Kingdom
Please I am begging you to help Tony the Tiger!! He needs our help and does not deserve to be caged and chained up for entertainment and greedy reasons. It's all about the MONEY and not the welfare of this Big Cat. Please release him into the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa Florida. If someone from Abroad can care this much about an animal she doesn't know , can't you do so also? Please please hear our plea! Thank you
Please I am begging you to help Tony the Tiger!! He needs our help and does not deserve to be caged and chained up for entertainment and greedy reasons. It's all about the MONEY and not the welfare of this Big Cat. Please release him into the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa Florida. If someone from Abroad can care this much about an animal she doesn't know , can't you do so also? Please please hear our plea! Thank you
# 954:
1:52 pm PDT, Aug 20,
Jessica Koch, New York
# 953:
9:18 pm PDT, Aug 19,
Laura Welsh, North Carolina
I can't believe this man has not been prosecuted yet. I know that Bobbi Jindai doesn't stand for this, why is there so much red tape? Its 2009, everyone lets get this town out of the dark ages!
I can't believe this man has not been prosecuted yet. I know that Bobbi Jindai doesn't stand for this, why is there so much red tape? Its 2009, everyone lets get this town out of the dark ages!
# 952:
11:21 am PDT, Aug 19,
Michelle Melanson, Canada
# 951:
3:27 am PDT, Aug 19,
Megan Swain, South Africa
