News and Alerts » April 2010

Tony The Truck Stop Tiger

A 1993 Iberville Parish ordinance prohibited ownership of exotic animals such as tigers, but it was never enforced. After a long heated battle between Tony's owner and animal advocates fighting for Tony's freedom, the Iberville Parish Council amended their ordinance on March 17, 2009 to allow Michael Sandlin to keep Tony at the truck stop. It was then up to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to grant the final permit to Tony's owner. A statement from the large carnivore manager Maria Davidson read:

"It is the Department's position that private possession of tigers poses a significant hazard to public safety and is detrimental to the health of the animal. Prolonged confinement is by its nature stressful to tigers and proper long-term care by experienced persons is essential to the health of the animal." Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-16570-New-Orleans-Pet-Rescue-Scene-Examiner~y2009m8d16-Followup-on-Tony-the-Tiger-in-Grosse-Tete

These were very promising words to all of us who hoped the LDW&F would see that a truck stop is not the proper environment for a tiger. Not only is it an unhealthy atmosphere but it is dangerous and a threat to public safety. An accredited big cat sanctuary was ready to provide a permanent home to Tony where he would have lived in a natural habitat of earth, grass, trees, logs, had a den and pool and received the proper medical care, diet, enrichment and respect he so deserves.

On December 14, 2009 , the LDW&F granted the permit to Sandlin which allows him to keep Tony on display 24/7 at the truck stop. Please write letters to Louisiana Fish & Wildlife and the governor of Louisiana asking them to send Tony to a Sanctuary.

Louisiana, USDA, APHIS Contacts

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries  

Maria Davidson
Large Carnivore Program Manager
Louisiana Department Wildlife and Fisheries
5652 Highway 182
Opelousas LA 70570  

Phone: (337) 948-0255
Fax: (337) 948-0213  

e-mail: mdavidson@wlf.louisiana.gov  

Fred Kimmel (Ms. Davidson’s supervisor)
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
2000 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808  

Phone: (225) 765-2355  

e-mail: fkimmel@wlf.la.gov  

Main Office:
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
2000 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808  

Phone: (225) 765-2800  

Robert J. Barham, Secretary
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
P.O. Box 98000
Baton Rouge, LA 70898  

Phone: (225) 765-2623
Fax: (225) 765-2607  

e-mail: Chendrick@wlf.louisiana.gov  

website:  http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&cpid=16  

Governor Bobby Jindal  

Office of The Governor
P. O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9004
Phone: (225) 342-7015
Fax: (225) 342-7099  

web e-mail form: http://www.gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=email_governor  

Governor Jindal’s FaceBook Page: http://www.facebook.com/bobbyjindal  

website: http://www.gov.state.la.us/  

Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu  

Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Capitol Annex Building
1051 North Third Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802  

Also:  

P.O. Box 44243
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-424  

Phone: (225) 342-7009
Fax: (225) 342-1949  

e-mail: ltgov@crt.state.la.us  

online e-mail contact form: http://www.ltgov.la.gov/?md=form&tmp=share_ideas  

website: http://www.ltgov.la.gov/