Pardon our Tuesday interruption, but the freedom of Tony, the truck stop tiger, deserves additional attention in this critical moment.

CALL NOW: THIS WEEK IS KEY!

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issued the following position statement on privately owned tigers:

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.

Still, Tony remains in his small, steel and concrete cage at the Tiger Truck Stop – victimized by a lack of law enforcement. Iberville Parish, where the truck stop is located, has banned displays like Tony’s since 1993, yet they issue permits as a workaround.

On 11/22, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a petition on Tony’s behalf asking the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to revoke and deny renewal of Michael Sandlin’s permit for Tony. Sandlin must file for renewal by December 31st.

TELL LOUISIANA THIS PERMIT MUST BE DENIED!

Tell LDWF Secretary Robert Barham and Governor Bobby Jindal to enforce the laws designed to protect Tony the Tiger’s wellbeing. The world is watching.

The following information comes courtesy
of the Free Tony the Tiger blog:

Phone Numbers:

• Governor Bobby Jindal: 1-225-342-7015 and 1-225-342-0991
• Secretary Robert Barham: 1-225-765-2623

Sample Call In:

My name is __________________ and I am calling to object to the renewal of the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries permit to Mr. Michael Sandlin, owner of Tony The Truck Stop Tiger located in Grosse Tete Louisiana. I am extremely concerned for the health and welfare of Tony who has been used as a roadside attraction at the truck stop for 10 years. The Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries must uphold their position on privately owned tigers by revoking this permit and relocating Tony to an accredited big cat sanctuary.

For Residents of Louisiana:

My name is ___________________ and as a resident of  (state your city) Louisiana  I am calling to object to the renewal of the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries permit to Mr. Michael Sandlin, owner of Tony The Truck Stop Tiger located in Grosse Tete Louisiana. I am extremely concerned for the health and welfare of Tony who has been used as a roadside attraction at the truck stop for 10 years. The Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries must uphold their position on privately owned tigers by revoking this permit and relocating Tony to an accredited big cat sanctuary.

Fax Numbers:

• Governor Jindal: 1-225-342-7099
• Secretary Barham: 1-225-765-2607

E-mail

• Governor Jindal online e-mail contact form
• Secretary Barham (LDWF) online e-mail contact form
• Please also try these direct e-mail addresses for Sec. Barham – so far they have not bounced back:
  • rbarham@wlf.la.gov
  • sfalcon@wlf.la.gov

Snail Mail

Get postal addresses for Governor Jindal and Secretary Barham as well as other Louisiana contacts.

Twitter

The LDWF and Governor Jindal have Twitter accounts – so give them a shout and show your support for Tony. (Include hashtag #freetonytiger.)

• @LDWF
• @BobbyJindal

Please spread the “call in week” info using this link:  http://freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/update-call-in-week-for-tony/

JUST 2000 SIGNATURES NEEDED!

Tony’s petition for freedom closes on 12/31. Let’s meet the 15,000 goal and fast! Please sign, if you haven’t already, then post the following to Twitter and Facebook:

Tony the Truck Stop Tiger’s petition for freedom ends 12/31. Need 2000+ signatures to reach 15K! SIGN NOW! http://bit.ly/fU5ZAh #BtC

Thanks to all who have organized and acted on Tony’s behalf.

BtC4animals.com never asks you to spend a cent, just a few minutes of your time.
It’s the greatest gift you can give to an animal in need.

- Spread the word: Share this link!
- Receive new weekly causes via RSS or email.
- Submit your animal cause today!