Tony the Tiger, the Siberian-Bengal tiger held captive at the Tiger Truck Stop parking lot for 17 years in Grosse Tete, Louisiana, was euthanized Monday evening, October 16th due to kidney failure. A statement from Ted Baldwin on behalf of owner Michael Sandlin, said the 17 yr. old tiger died due to health reasons. Tony lived and died caged at this truck stop. He was never able to experience freedom.
A necropsy is scheduled.
Tony was six months old when his life began at the truck stop in January 2001.
As he was on display, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, an animal rights group, fought to free him. They were successful obtaining a judgment in 2012 prohibiting Louisiana from issuing future permits for Tony’s captivity. Instead of moving Tony to a reputable sanctuary to live out his last five years, the Louisiana legislature passed a law exempting the Tiger Truck Stop- and the Tiger Truck Stop alone- from the Louisiana Big Cat Ban, undoing the 2012 victory.
The ALDF said they will fight to ensure this Truck Stop never has a Tony II or Tony III under Louisiana’s Big Cat Ban.
Tony was old for a tiger said Dr. David Baker, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Veterinarian.
According to Sandlin, Tony lived in a cage with grass, had a large tank in which to swim and had toys.
Sandlin said Tony was only suffering from arthritis back in April.
Tony the Tiger lived is entire life in captivity. Let this be the last big cat to do so. Sideshow truck stops are no place for a large wild animal to live and die.
RIP Tony the Tiger.
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer and is an unabashed animal advocate. Her love for animals and quest for the hard truth is what drives her passion for all things animals. She hosts the show, ” A Close-Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” She adores her once-abused tripawd, Brody. If you’d like Tina to talk to your group or have a story, please email her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com. Like https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues and check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com for all the tv shows, articles, and podcasts you may have missed!
What an awful life for a wild animal.
Yes, very awful and sad. He never had a chance at freedom. Thank you.
A tragedy for Tony and all other wild animals held captive for profit. People make me sick.
How did the Louisiana Big Cat bam not include Tony? Someone was paid off. Poor Tony. ?
Why does anyone want to keep a wild animal in a cage? If it’s not for personal reasons (as a pet- plain wrong), it’s for monetary gain. People disgust me. I’m so disappointed by the human race.
I believe some people are misguided when they want to keep a wild animal as a pet. Because laws are lax regarding this, people can and do buy wild animals directly over the internet. Tony was exploited by Sandlin for 17 years. Let’s hope he doesn’t hold other wild animals captive. Thank you.
For money. For profit. They lie if they say they care about the animal. No animal loving human would do this.
I hope the owner gets what Tony got and died from!
ditoo
***ditto!
:'(:
Sandlin said Tony was only suffering from arthritis back in April.
He knew Tony was sick then. How long did Tony suffer? Do we believe the word of Tony’s vet who was paid by Sandlin?
Tony suffered too long. Sandlin knew he was sick but wouldn’t let anyone know the truth. No other vet was allowed to check him. Wonder why?
There’s a special place in hell for people like this. Tony is now in heaven running free of pain or illness. RIP Tony