Next Steps in ALDF's Fight to Free Tony the Truck Stop Tiger
Posted by Matthew Liebman, ALDF Staff Attorney on June 3rd, 2011
As our supporters know, the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s recent victory in our lawsuit to free Tony the truck stop tiger was extremely significant, because it finally puts a light at the end of the tunnel that is Tony’s imprisonment. Tony has lived at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana for the past decade, and as a result of ALDF’s case, the annual permit that allows him to be kept there will not be renewed when it expires in December 2011. However, it was a qualified victory—because we were unable to get Tony released immediately.
But we’re not giving up on that goal. That’s why ALDF recently filed a motion for a mandatory injunction that would compel the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to revoke the current permit and seize Tony—meaning that Tony would not have to wait until December to experience his new life beyond the Tiger Truck Stop. Although this specific request was part of ALDF’s original complaint, the court did not rule on it at the hearing last month.
A new hearing on the motion for a mandatory injunction has been set for June 14. Stay tuned to the ALDF website, Facebook page, and Twitter for updates as soon as they become available.
This is fantastic news! Thank you for continuing to fight for Tony, I hope you win the injunction!
Praying he is release immediately! Thanks for all you are doing!!! :)
Wow this is such great,great news I along with many thank you and support you more than I can say.
You GO! I have never patronized this gas station specifically because of the Tiger and his intolerable living conditions.
I have complete confidence that you will win and get Tony out of this hell! I am thrilled and anxious to see it happen and it will! Thank you ALDF for your hard work and for everything you do for animals!!!! <3
Thanks for all the hard work you have done to free Tony, hope you get him released soon.
Thank you!!!!
PLEASE SECURE A RETIREMENT FOR TONY AT A REPUTABLE SANCTUARY LIKE PAWS (PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY). THANK YOU!
Thank you so much ALDF for continuing to fight for Tony's freedom from solitary confinement at Tiger Truck Stop. I will eagerly await the Court's ruling on June 14th.
WAY TO GO ALDF!!! AGAIN THANK YOU FROM EVERY PERSON ACROSS THIS PLANET THAT KNOWS AND FIGHTS FOR TONY! ANOTHER GREAT THING WAS THAT MICHAEL SANDLIN'S PETITION TO BECOME A PART OF THE LAWSUIT REGARDING TONY ~WAS DENIED! Finally Justice is coming to Tony. If the 14th does not work out that he leaves then, then we keep on fighting for that Beautiful boy that is so Loved World Wide. Tony~we know you are sick, You just keep on hanging on dear boy.."YOUR DAY IS COMING, JUST HOLD ON A LITTLE LONGER" Love you big guy xoxo
I'm SO thankful for everything you guys and girls did for Tony! Let's keep fighting the fight until Tony can enjoy a real "tigerlife". x
Thank you so much for what you are doing for Tony! You have got a big heart and I know that in the outcome Tony will be away from that awful place and there is you to thank! God Bless you and all you are doing!
I am so happy Tony has people like you fighting for him! He deserves to LIVE, not exist!
This is really wonderful news! Thank you so much for all your work to help Tony, I really appreciate it!
I was having a really bad day today.....until I read this. I have been virtually fighting for Tony for almost 2 years now and finally seeing results. I am going to bawl my eyes out when I see him in his new home. He has been in my prayers and in my thoughts daily. Whatever sanctuary he ends up in (hopefully BCR) I will make the trip to see him. He has totally captured my heart, and I know he has captured the hearts of many others. Thank you for not giving up on him. You are wonderful. :)
A simple thank you seems so inadequate for all the work and effort you have put into getting Tony free. Your efforts are deeply appreciated by so many many people. Keep up all the good work - you are a strong voice and hope for these abused, mistreated animals. Thank you and thank you over and over again.
Still roaring loud and strong for Tony! Thank God for the ALDF!!! FREE TONY!!!
Thank you so very, very much for doing this for Tony, i'm so happy to hear this!! You are doing great work for Tony, and all animals. All the very best. carolyn
To MA Moore, I believe that Big Cat Falls is willing to take him and has been for several years now if Mr. Sandlin would give him up.
Until that precious boy is outta that place, I will not feel good about any of this, because I believe Mr. Sandlin would do anything - and I mean ANYTHING, to keep Tony from ever being taken away from 'him.' I will keep Tony in my thoughts and prayers, and continue to visualize him in a natural habitat, where he will discover flowing water and peace. He will hopefully know darkness of night for the first time in his life SOON. To all those who continue to do right - for the animals: Thank You.
Thanks to everyone at ALDF for your persistence and dedication to Tony's case. Tony's supporters truly appreciate everything you are doing to give him the home and life he deserves. We will continue to support you,your efforts and Tony, and eagerly look forward to his release to an accredited humane sanctuary that can provide for all of his needs.
Many thanks to ALDF for this fight to free Tony. He has languished in this horrid environment far too long. Keep up the fight. We are with you ALL THE WAY!! FREE TONY!
An important variable in this equation is that Mr. Sandlin should NOT have any input as to where Tony is placed. I don't trust this despicable excuse for a human being as far as I can throw him!! It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he makes a deal with someone that would act in his best interest & not Tony's!
Thanks to everyone at ALDF for your persistence and dedication to Tony's case. Tony's supporters truly appreciate everything you are doing to give him the home and life he deserves.I pray that you able to win his freedom on 6-14-2011. God Bless you for all you have done and will do
Big Cat Rescue is the place he should call home. I am so happy he is about to be set "free" so to speak!. Thank you for everything you have done and are doing you all are truly amazing angels!
Thank God Tony tiger will out of the gas tank and live the way he was meant to live. Thank you ALDF for believing in Tiger and a big thank you from me and all of us who think that animals also have a soul.
Thank you so much for working to get him free.
I just hope for Tony's sake that one the permit expires the owner doesn't shoot him or hide him from everyone as show you all kind of move...We need a Tiger intervention.
Many have fought the good fight to free Tony and it is great that his freedom is in sight ,thanks due to the Animal Leagal Defense Fund, his long imprisonment of 10 years in a cement box is nearly over,I wonder how many more Tony's are out there hoping that they too will escape from their cement tomb's?
I just came across this story via Facebook. This is a terrible situation..but so thankful that someone is doing something to help this beautiful creature. Praying for an immediate release to a great home. God bless you!
thank you so much www.suprememastertv.com
Go ALDF! You have made great inroads into a very entrenched system. We will prevail!
The moment I heard he would be released and that his release would be in DECEMBER...I was angry, this Tiger needs to be free immediately. I can't believe this is a ongoing issue. Tony the Tiger is not healthy and needs help and freedom. Please don't stop fighting for his freedom, thanks you!
I will believe that Tony will be freed from his truck stop cage when it happens. Couldn't his current owner just sell him before the permit runs out? I appreciate all the work the ALDF has put into helping Tony!
Yes! Please keep fighting for Tony. Set him free asap.
This is incredible news! Bring on Tony's freedom! What a horrible decade he has had - no one deserves that kind of life! Sending love and support all the way from Australia! Luv, Shann
Dear Animal Legal Defense Fund. I pace back and forth because I have nothing else to do. Some nice people donated toys, the ball is outside my cage so I can't play with it. I'd like to smell fresh air, trees, flowers anything but gas fumes. I'd like to listen to the sounds of nature instead of trucks and people taunting me. I'd love a pool to swim in instead of a water trough.I would like a vet to give me a good physical because I haven't felt well lately. Thank you for trying to help me get out of here. Tell Mr. Sandlin it's time for me to retire from the truck stop business. Thank you. Love Tony
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done and are doing for Tony. We have reached out to so many but you have always been there for him. All the blessings in the world friday. Many thousands of people stand with you and thank you.
I did not know of this situation until tonight when passing through Louisiana I inadvertently stopped at this place for gas and was HORRIFIED at what I saw!! It was excruciating to see this beautiful tiger pacing back and forth alone in a stereotypical daze in a barren concrete cage in a parking lot amongst loud truck traffic, yards away from a speeding loud interstate, diesel fumes pervading the air and to know that this goes on 24 hours a day! It was unreal. I was born and raised in Louisiana and am now embarrassed and ashamed that my home state has allowed this to even happen much less go on for so long. THANK YOU ALDF!!! Whatever I can do to help free "Tony" immediately from this horrible selfish situation just ask and I will be there.