ALDF’s Case to Free Tony the Truck Stop Tiger

Our campaign to free Tony the Tiger continues. What would it mean to "free" a 14 year-old Siberian-Bengal Tiger named Tony who has spent all his life in a small cage at a Louisiana truck stop? Freeing Tony would mean sending him to a reputable sanctuary, where he can finally have some peace in his lifetime and live like a tiger -- rather than as a truck stop gimmick in a concrete prison pacing back and forth continuously, surrounded by noise and diesel truck exhaust. The Animal Legal Defense Fund has spent years in court fighting for Tony's freedom. And we won -- our victory was upheld by the Louisiana Court of Appeal, and the Louisiana State Supreme Court refused to revisit that decision. But Tony's owner, having lost repeatedly in court, while continuing to display Tony illegally, has tried to sneak a bill, "SB 250," through the Louisiana legislature that would allow him to skirt the law.

That's why the Animal Legal Defense Fund works to protect animals by covering all the bases within the legal system. We work with legislatures to ensure laws reflect what's best for animals. We work with law enforcement to ensure that these laws are actually enforced. And -- in addition to our highly successful animal law education initiatives, with hundreds of student ALDF chapters in the top law schools in the land -- when individuals violate the law, like Tony's owner, we file suit and take them to court.

Tony the Tiger

The Animal Legal Defense Fund visited Tony the Tiger at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana in May, 2014.

The Louisiana legislature is now considering "SB 250," which, if passed, could essentially undo every victory ALDF has achieved for Tony and relegate him to a life living in a truck stop parking lot. The bill aims to "exempt certain persons from the requirements of the big exotic cats rules." Exempting "certain persons" (meaning Tony's owner) would not only remove Tony's legal protections, but it would allow an individual like Tony's owner to undermine the judicial process. Aside from keeping Tony imprisoned, passing such a bill would send the dangerous message that if you don't like a law, you can just hire some lobbyists to try to rewrite it -- in this case Louisiana's ban on private ownership of tigers and other exotic cats. As that law's sponsor, representative Warren Triche, notes, it was written specifically to prevent tragic situations like Tony's. For this tiger, and for all animals, we must make it clear that playing fast and loose with the law is unacceptable, no matter how deep your pockets or how tight your political connections.

This frustrating saga shows how hard it is for animal advocates to protect animals. But long as we work together to unite all aspects of the legal system, from criminal justice to innovative litigation and legislative affairs, we will win the case against animal cruelty. It's important that everyone stands up for animals and does their part.

Here at the Animal Legal Defense Fund, we have a strong connection to Tony's plight, and our hearts break at the possibility that he may never get his freedom. And if this kind of sneaky, back-door affront to our legal system is allowed to continue, many other tigers may face the same fate.

Tony urgently needs your help -- please take action for Tony today, and read more about his story here.