WILL YOU SAVE ME
Tony VERY Skinny
Showing posts with label "jane Velez-Mitchell". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "jane Velez-Mitchell". Show all posts
7.03.2011
MEET JOE EXOTIC AKA GW EXOTICS
MEET JOE EXOTIC AKA GW EXOTICS WHICH MOST CALL THE HOUSE OF HORRORS.....
by Sky Williamson on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 6:35pm
Between Joe Exotic and You
Sky Williamson June 30 at 7:22pm
Sandlin said NO to BCR and MANY of us agree with him and then there are many that do not. The main people in this campaign DO NOT feel that BCR would be the best place for him.....
Joe Exotic July 1 at 9:23am Report
I would just like to see him go somewhere that no one knows so he can not be exploited for being the truck stop tiger
Sky Williamson July 1 at 10:50pm
me too.......
Joe Exotic July 2 at 8:35am Report
why you all keep kicken me off your list, All I am doing is being honest
Sky Williamson July 2 at 11:20am
because your being ugly- with the things you say. I can not speak for anyone but myself but I can honestly tell you I ONLY want what is best for TONY - Joe come on look deep inside your heart, a truck stop parking lot???? don't you think as humans we can do better then that? be honest......
Joe Exotic July 2 at 11:29am Report
us humans can do much better at alot of things, one is by trying to run others lives instead of working with people instead of against them, do you not think you could get further working with mike instead of trying to force him to do something? Really, how would you feel, if we were to take your kid or what ever away from you? its not right, and its not fair, to live in america and be treated like scum just because a group of people think they are better than you
Sky Williamson July 2 at 12:56pm
*us humans can do much better at alot of things, one is by trying to run others lives instead of working with people instead of against them, do you not think you could get further working with mike instead*
No that’s wrong I’m not trying to run his life I’m trying to stop the suffering of Tony because of Michael. I don’t care what he does with his life all the way to him being gay, that is his life BUT when you see an animal a child or the elderly that need help and you turn your back then you are just as bad as that person. Joe people have tried to work with Michael for years and I do mean years. It has NEVER worked. He was offered FREE vet care in Dec. and refused it. I bet if you knew all the facts you would feel different!
*of trying to force him to do something?*
The law is the law and LDWF gave him a permit illegally- ALDF proved that in court.
*Really, how would you feel, if we were to take your kid or what ever away from you?*
If I was NOT properly caring for my child and that happened then I got what I deserved!!!!!
*its not right, and its not fair, to live in america and be treated like scum just because a group of people think they are better than you*
Joe Michael has done nothing but lied through this whole thing, he is scum. If you don’t think you are doing anything wrong then you would not lie over and over and over……
Listen you just don’t know the whole story and considering that I started this campaign it would take me months to tell you the whole story. No matter how much you are against what I’m doing if you had all the facts you may be quite surprised…… He has never treated his tigers with an ounce of compassion, never.
Joe Exotic July 2 at 1:56pm Report
what ever, your still saying he is abusing tony, if that were a fact he would be charged with criminal abuse, the Law enforcement not the law of opinion. fact is fact, show me abuse, sores, sick vet calls left gone un attended, no food, under weight, no water, etc. just at a truck stop is not abuse no matter if we all agree with it or not, it just plain and simple not abuse. and lets dont talk lies, Carole baskin your biggest support cause is the last person to be saying anyone is lying, and that my friend I do have proof on
Sky Williamson July 3 at 6:26pm
THAT'S RIGHT FACT IS FACT AND I HAVE PICTURES THAT SHOW ABUSE! LIKE IT OR NOT BUT CONSIDERING YOUR RECORD OF COURSE YOU WOULD SIDE WITH HIM AN ABUSER. LET'S NOT FORGET JOE YOU ~KILLED~ OVER 20 "CUBS" IN ONE YEAR. THAT IS ALSO ANIMAL ABUSE. TONY'S BONES ARE STICKING OUT BADLY ~ PAY ATTENTION AND LOOK AT THE PICTURES! THAT IS ABUSE!!! EITHER HE IS NOT BEING FEED OR SOMETHING MEDICALLY IS WRONG WITH HIM, PERIOD. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A BIG CAT EXPERT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HAVE COMMON SENSE.
*WE HAVE PROOF AND STATEMENTS FROM………. IT’S REALLY NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS TO BE HONEST.
THE COURT RULED AND THAT’S IT.
LET'S GET SOMETHING STRAIGHT ONCE AND FOR ALL. ~CAROLE BASKIN IS -NOT- MY BIGGEST SUPPORT OF THIS CAUSE AND THIS ON GOING BITCH FIGHT THAT YOU HAVE WITH CAROLE BASKIN IS THE MOST IMMATURE THING I HAVE EVER WITNESSED. I DON'T KNOW NOR DO I CARE WHAT YOUR PROBLEM IS WITH BASKIN MY CONCERN IS WITH TONY. WHAT I DO KNOW THOUGH IS YOUR OBSESSION WITH BASKIN IS IN BLACK AND WHITE ACROSS THE INTERNET AND IT SHOWS YOUR TRUE COLORS. ALL THE TIME YOU SPEND ON THAT YOU SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THE ANIMALS ON YOUR PROPERTY BUT INSTEAD YOU WANT TO PLAY A BITCH GAME. GROW UP.
THIS IS MY CAMPAIGN NOT ANYBODY ELSES REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU THINK. IF YOU WOULD LIKE CALL THE IRS AND SEE WHOSE NAME IS STATED FOR THE FREE TONY THE TIGER CAMPAIGN………
I DON’T EVEN TALK TO BASKIN ANYMORE BECAUSE SHE ASSOCIATES WITH DEE DESANTIS WHICH HAS GONE OVER AND BEYOND MUCH LIKE YOU TO DISCREDIT THIS CAMPAIGN. DO YOU SEE ANY POST FROM ME SAYING “SEND TONY TO BCR”? PAY ATTENTION JOE AND FOR GODS SAKE GET THE FUCK OFF THE INTERNET AND GO TAKE CARE OF ALL THOSE FUCKING ANIMALS YOU HAVE.
YOU CAN SAY ALL YOU WANT THAT YOU AND THE USDA ARE TIGHT BUT WE ALL KNOW ALL IT TAKES IS ONE WRONG MOVE AND YOU WILL BE CLOSED DOWN……. SPEAKING OF THAT I HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF YOUR PROPERTY – YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT BUT YET ALL YOU DO IS BASH BCR. IT’S NOTHING MORE THAN THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK AND THAT’S A ~FACT~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW END THE MESSAGING HERE I HAVE A CAMPAIGN TO TEND TO AND I’M TRYING TO HELP TONY A ~ABUSED~ TIGER……… HE IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT NOT ALL THE REST OF THIS BS……….
JOE GO TAKE CARE OF YOUR ANIMALS AND LET ME WORRY ABOUT TONY, THANKS…….
AND PLEASE DO NOT INSULT ME BY CALLING ME "YOUR FRIEND"
JOE'S FINAL WORDS TO ME~THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HIS PROFILE PICTURE IS GONE AND I'M BLOCKED~DARN!
July 3 at 6:29pm Report
"I will never let you care about tony, he will not be going anywhere if I have anything to do with it, I did not kill 20 cubs that is more of caroles crap and you must not have seen pics of my park because it makes caroles look like shit, I see you have easy buttons to push, thanks for the nice words, copy paste makes you loose credit ability"
Sky Williamson June 30 at 7:22pm
Sandlin said NO to BCR and MANY of us agree with him and then there are many that do not. The main people in this campaign DO NOT feel that BCR would be the best place for him.....
Joe Exotic July 1 at 9:23am Report
I would just like to see him go somewhere that no one knows so he can not be exploited for being the truck stop tiger
Sky Williamson July 1 at 10:50pm
me too.......
Joe Exotic July 2 at 8:35am Report
why you all keep kicken me off your list, All I am doing is being honest
Sky Williamson July 2 at 11:20am
because your being ugly- with the things you say. I can not speak for anyone but myself but I can honestly tell you I ONLY want what is best for TONY - Joe come on look deep inside your heart, a truck stop parking lot???? don't you think as humans we can do better then that? be honest......
Joe Exotic July 2 at 11:29am Report
us humans can do much better at alot of things, one is by trying to run others lives instead of working with people instead of against them, do you not think you could get further working with mike instead of trying to force him to do something? Really, how would you feel, if we were to take your kid or what ever away from you? its not right, and its not fair, to live in america and be treated like scum just because a group of people think they are better than you
Sky Williamson July 2 at 12:56pm
*us humans can do much better at alot of things, one is by trying to run others lives instead of working with people instead of against them, do you not think you could get further working with mike instead*
No that’s wrong I’m not trying to run his life I’m trying to stop the suffering of Tony because of Michael. I don’t care what he does with his life all the way to him being gay, that is his life BUT when you see an animal a child or the elderly that need help and you turn your back then you are just as bad as that person. Joe people have tried to work with Michael for years and I do mean years. It has NEVER worked. He was offered FREE vet care in Dec. and refused it. I bet if you knew all the facts you would feel different!
*of trying to force him to do something?*
The law is the law and LDWF gave him a permit illegally- ALDF proved that in court.
*Really, how would you feel, if we were to take your kid or what ever away from you?*
If I was NOT properly caring for my child and that happened then I got what I deserved!!!!!
*its not right, and its not fair, to live in america and be treated like scum just because a group of people think they are better than you*
Joe Michael has done nothing but lied through this whole thing, he is scum. If you don’t think you are doing anything wrong then you would not lie over and over and over……
Listen you just don’t know the whole story and considering that I started this campaign it would take me months to tell you the whole story. No matter how much you are against what I’m doing if you had all the facts you may be quite surprised…… He has never treated his tigers with an ounce of compassion, never.
Joe Exotic July 2 at 1:56pm Report
what ever, your still saying he is abusing tony, if that were a fact he would be charged with criminal abuse, the Law enforcement not the law of opinion. fact is fact, show me abuse, sores, sick vet calls left gone un attended, no food, under weight, no water, etc. just at a truck stop is not abuse no matter if we all agree with it or not, it just plain and simple not abuse. and lets dont talk lies, Carole baskin your biggest support cause is the last person to be saying anyone is lying, and that my friend I do have proof on
Sky Williamson July 3 at 6:26pm
THAT'S RIGHT FACT IS FACT AND I HAVE PICTURES THAT SHOW ABUSE! LIKE IT OR NOT BUT CONSIDERING YOUR RECORD OF COURSE YOU WOULD SIDE WITH HIM AN ABUSER. LET'S NOT FORGET JOE YOU ~KILLED~ OVER 20 "CUBS" IN ONE YEAR. THAT IS ALSO ANIMAL ABUSE. TONY'S BONES ARE STICKING OUT BADLY ~ PAY ATTENTION AND LOOK AT THE PICTURES! THAT IS ABUSE!!! EITHER HE IS NOT BEING FEED OR SOMETHING MEDICALLY IS WRONG WITH HIM, PERIOD. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A BIG CAT EXPERT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HAVE COMMON SENSE.
*WE HAVE PROOF AND STATEMENTS FROM………. IT’S REALLY NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS TO BE HONEST.
THE COURT RULED AND THAT’S IT.
LET'S GET SOMETHING STRAIGHT ONCE AND FOR ALL. ~CAROLE BASKIN IS -NOT- MY BIGGEST SUPPORT OF THIS CAUSE AND THIS ON GOING BITCH FIGHT THAT YOU HAVE WITH CAROLE BASKIN IS THE MOST IMMATURE THING I HAVE EVER WITNESSED. I DON'T KNOW NOR DO I CARE WHAT YOUR PROBLEM IS WITH BASKIN MY CONCERN IS WITH TONY. WHAT I DO KNOW THOUGH IS YOUR OBSESSION WITH BASKIN IS IN BLACK AND WHITE ACROSS THE INTERNET AND IT SHOWS YOUR TRUE COLORS. ALL THE TIME YOU SPEND ON THAT YOU SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THE ANIMALS ON YOUR PROPERTY BUT INSTEAD YOU WANT TO PLAY A BITCH GAME. GROW UP.
THIS IS MY CAMPAIGN NOT ANYBODY ELSES REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU THINK. IF YOU WOULD LIKE CALL THE IRS AND SEE WHOSE NAME IS STATED FOR THE FREE TONY THE TIGER CAMPAIGN………
I DON’T EVEN TALK TO BASKIN ANYMORE BECAUSE SHE ASSOCIATES WITH DEE DESANTIS WHICH HAS GONE OVER AND BEYOND MUCH LIKE YOU TO DISCREDIT THIS CAMPAIGN. DO YOU SEE ANY POST FROM ME SAYING “SEND TONY TO BCR”? PAY ATTENTION JOE AND FOR GODS SAKE GET THE FUCK OFF THE INTERNET AND GO TAKE CARE OF ALL THOSE FUCKING ANIMALS YOU HAVE.
YOU CAN SAY ALL YOU WANT THAT YOU AND THE USDA ARE TIGHT BUT WE ALL KNOW ALL IT TAKES IS ONE WRONG MOVE AND YOU WILL BE CLOSED DOWN……. SPEAKING OF THAT I HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF YOUR PROPERTY – YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT BUT YET ALL YOU DO IS BASH BCR. IT’S NOTHING MORE THAN THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK AND THAT’S A ~FACT~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW END THE MESSAGING HERE I HAVE A CAMPAIGN TO TEND TO AND I’M TRYING TO HELP TONY A ~ABUSED~ TIGER……… HE IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT NOT ALL THE REST OF THIS BS……….
JOE GO TAKE CARE OF YOUR ANIMALS AND LET ME WORRY ABOUT TONY, THANKS…….
AND PLEASE DO NOT INSULT ME BY CALLING ME "YOUR FRIEND"
JOE'S FINAL WORDS TO ME~THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HIS PROFILE PICTURE IS GONE AND I'M BLOCKED~DARN!
July 3 at 6:29pm Report
"I will never let you care about tony, he will not be going anywhere if I have anything to do with it, I did not kill 20 cubs that is more of caroles crap and you must not have seen pics of my park because it makes caroles look like shit, I see you have easy buttons to push, thanks for the nice words, copy paste makes you loose credit ability"
6.28.2011
From Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell: Tiger Tug-Of-War
Video link: http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2010/11/12/jvm.big.cat.battle.hln
November 12, 2010: Tony’s story was presented on Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell. Guests included Carole Baskin, founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue – Tampa FL, Jane Garrison, Animal Welfare Expert, Michael Sandlin, owner of Tiger Truck Stop. Also covered was the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of tigers at Thailand’s Tiger Temple.
Please see this link for a transcript of the show: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1011/12/ijvm.01.html
HERE IS THE TRANSCRIPT:
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Coming up next, are beautiful, majestic tigers being exploited? We`re going to examine a tug-of-war over tigers. We`re going to get both sides of this story. We`re going to go dig deep because these animals can`t speak for themselves.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The sizes of these tigers, just peering out of the cage at me. I suppose they`ve got nothing, and I am their enrichment right now. Their behavior is just so sad.
How can they do this? This is a tiger farm.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There was always only going to be one way to consume what tigers were there and in what condition they were in that was in the back of this place. I am frightened here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Tonight, battles over big cats are erupting around the world. Experts say the world`s tiger population has plummeted 95 percent in the last century. It`s believed, as we speak, there`s just over 3,000 tigers left on our planet. That`s why every single tiger counts.
Tonight, two furious tug-of-wars over tigers, one at a tourist attraction in Thailand, the other at a truck stop in Louisiana. Tony the Tiger, seen here in this YouTube video, lives at the tiger truck stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana. He has lived there his entire life reportedly and is now approximately a decade old.
Now, critics charge that this tiger is being exploited to bring in business to the truck stop. The tiger`s owner furiously disputes that and insists that the animal is healthy and gets one-on-one attention. So you can decide for yourself.
We`re going to talk to both sides tonight. Straight out to Carol Baskin, CEO and founder of Big-Cat Rescue. Carol, why does Tony the Tiger`s situation at this truck stop upset you to the point where you`ve decided to do something about it?
CAROL BASKIN, CEO, FOUNDER OF BIG-CAT RESCUE: Well, it doesn`t just anger me. It`s the main reason people call us about tiger abuse in the United States, comes back to this truck stop. And it`s because he`s being kept in a tiny steel and concrete cell right next to the gas pumps at a truck stop that`s open 24 hours a day seven days a week. He can never escape the -- the sound of these diesel engines and the fumes from the gas pumps and from the cars and the vehicles coming through there.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, we reached out to the owner for his response about Tony the Tiger, who you`re going to see in the photo from CareToo.com. Michael Sandlin the owner said, quote, "Every American should have the right to own an animal of their choice as long as they`re able to maintain a proper habitat for the animal. His habitat is very adequate and compares in size to habitats in zoos across the country".
And then he asks, "Do you really think that Louisiana officials would issue permits if in fact the animal is in danger." Well, we have Michael Sandlin on the phone.
Personally, I don`t think the fact that the permit has been issued has anything to do with it because what she`s talking about is the emotional state of this animal as opposed to simply whether it has food and shelter. Michael, what are you saying in defense of keeping this animal in this enclosure?
MICHAEL SANDLIN, TONY THE TIGER`S OWNER (via telephone): Well, first of all, you know, Tony is a beautiful, healthy, young 10 -- 10-year-old male tiger. I`ve had Tony since he was a cub. And no one knows better on -- on how to take care of Tony than I do.
And basically, you know, Tony is not isolated. He has one-on-one attention, and customers come in and visit him all day long.
So, you know, the tiger is not isolated, and as far as his habitat, it`s a 3,200-square-foot habitat with a grassy area. It has air conditioning, a shelter where he can have privacy and a pool for swimming. And you know, Tony is just being very well taken care of. All of the government agencies come in. Actually, weekly and do an inspection. And everything is --
(CROSSTALK)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, let me ask you this question. What about the charges that you`re making a buck off this tiger by promoting your truck stop -- is this your truck stop? It`s -- it`s called the Tiger Truck Stop. And people are saying you`re basically luring in customers using a tiger exhibit and therefore using this animal in order to make money. What`s your response to that?
SANDLIN: Well, I mean, this is a business. It is a truck stop. And you know, unlike Carol Baskin and Big-Cat Rescue, who`s heading this -- this whole charade of lies and half-truths against me in order to take the tiger away from me --
(CROSSTALK)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, let me -- let me -- I just want to say this.
SANDLIN: I -- I don`t -- I don`t --
(CROSSTALK)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I -- I was a little concerned about your statement which I read where you accuse the people who are a critic -- critics of how Tony the Tiger is being kept of being domestic terrorists. Now, I have a problem with that because I think that insults the people who died on 9/11 who were killed by real terrorist. I want to bring in Jane Garrison for a second, an animal welfare expert.
What do you make of people who respond to criticisms of the condition of an animal by saying those people are domestic terrorists?
JANE GARRISON, ANIMAL WELFARE EXPERT: Oh, it`s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, Jane. He`s saying that people are terrorists, yet he is an animal abuser. He`s the first thing that he said was that customers come to the truck stop. So you can see that the only thing that`s important to him is actually using this tiger to draw people to his business.
That tiger in that video is exhibiting what`s called stereotypic behavior. That tiger is pacing back and forth. And when a caged animal does that, it`s a sign that the animal is frustrated, they are bored.
(CROSSTALK)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. I want to give Michael an opportunity to respond to that. Michael?
SANDLIN: Well, that`s all a lie. The only reason the tiger is pacing back and forth is because these people, these animal rights activists, have come to the truck stop and thrown objects into the cage and --
VELEZ-MITCHELL: You know what --
GARRISON: That is not true. That is not true.
(CROSSTALK)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Carol Baskin, what`s your response to that? The response that you`ve thrown rocks at the tiger.
BASKIN: People who love animals do not throw rocks at them. He is crafty and he`s (INAUDIBLE). He has a sign that says --
(CROSSTALK)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. More after the break. After the break, we have some more.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- has been a breeding machine for 10 years straight. (INAUDIBLE) As I look in through the bars, she`s got two day old cubs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Turning now to a totally different tiger tug-of-war on the other side of the world in Thailand. A heartbreaking sight; a mama tiger and her baby tiger cubs held captive behind bars for the purposes of entertaining tourists, hundreds of them.
How can we be part of the solution? By not being part of the problem; it`s all about consumer demand.
Jane Garrison, you have been studying this tiger temple. What have you learned?
GARRISON: Oh, Jane, this is horrible. In western Thailand, Tiger Temple is run by Buddhist monks. What happens is people go to this facility to get their pictures taken with the tigers. What they see are about ten tigers in this canyon that are clearly drugged and people are getting their pictures taken with them, but what they don`t see is what`s happening behind the scenes.
Behind the scenes, there`s almost 100 tigers kept in tiny barren cages with not adequate food, no veterinary care, and what happens from there is that these tigers are part of this illegal trade in tiger parts. So it is a horrific scene for these tigers.
And what tourists don`t realize is that when they go there for their five minutes of so-called entertainment, they`re actually supporting a lifetime of torture for these tigers.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Numerous animal protection groups around the world have expressed alarm over the treatment of the tigers at the Tiger Temple in Thailand. Check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just can`t help but notice how quiet they are; virtually like they`re posing. You know, tigers are quiet in the heat but this was very odd. He just laid his head in the water bowl.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Take a look at that. Take a look at that. Did you just see that? The tiger`s head was in the water bowl like this. That`s not how tigers are normally.
Let`s see it one more time. Look at that. Tigers normally don`t just sit around like that and let people pet them while they`re -- look at this tiger. Ok.
People are saying, critics are saying these tigers appear to be drugged and out of it. They are charging the temple with abuse claiming that they may even be involved in illegal tiger trade. The Thailand Department of National Parks told ISSUES they carried out a thorough investigation and found no evidence of involvement in illicit trade or maltreatment against tigers.
Jane Garrison, obviously they didn`t see the tiger who could barely lift his head out of the water bowl.
GARRISON: Exactly. And did they look at the cages that these tigers are kept in 24 hours a day? Only ten tigers are taken to the canyon and then also, a report that was done by an animal protection group shows that 75 tigers have disappeared from that facility, and they keep renaming the tigers the same name.
See for Life, which is an organization that`s been following it, they`re encouraging people to write to the government of Thailand and tell them to do something about this, to close this facility, to send these tigers to a better place, to a sanctuary. It would take people five minutes to write a letter to the government of Thailand and to help these tigers and to pass the word to never, ever go to Tiger Temple in Thailand.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Ultimately, our call to action, these are all consumer issues. You, the consumer, need to decide how you want to spend your money when it comes to animals because they cannot speak for themselves.
Thank you, fabulous panel, for joining me tonight.
Nancy Grace up next. She has a producer on the ground in North Carolina. She`s going to bring you the very latest breaking developments in the Zahra Baker case.
You are watching ISSUES on HLN.
END
5.15.2011
ALDF ASKED THAT WE KEEP POSTING THEIR TWO PETITIONS UNTIL TONY IS OUT
ALDF ASKED THAT WE KEEP POSTING THEIR TWO PETITIONS UNTIL TONY IS OUT~ PLEASE SHARE AND ASK OTHERS TO DO THE SAME: To sign Tony’s petition visit: http://www.change.org/petitions/speak-out-for-tony-the-truck-stop-tiger http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6207
5.01.2011
Leonardo Speaks Out For Tony: "We Need to Act Now"
Posted by Lisa Franzetta, ALDF's Director of Communications on April 29th, 2011
On May 5, ALDF will square off against the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in East Baton Rouge District Court over the legality of a permit that allows Tony, a ten-year old Siberian-Bengal tiger, to be confined as a roadside exhibit at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, La. ALDF is arguing that the Department violated state law in granting the permit to Tony’s owner, Michael Sandlin. Sign the petition to help free Tony today! And stay tuned all next week for updates on Tony’s case!
http://aldf.org/article.php?id=1695
Award-winning actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio is the latest high-profile supporter to join the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s campaign to free Tony the tiger, who has spent the last decade at Louisiana’s Tiger Truck Stop.
Yesterday, Leo wrote to his 1.5 million Facebook supporters:
Have you heard about Tony, a Siberian-Bengal tiger living at a truck stop in Louisiana? This tiger has been living in a small inadequate and inhumane enclosure alone since 2003. We need to help the Animal Legal Defense Fund in urging the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to revoke the permit that allows this. http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6207The star of Titanic, The Aviator, and Inception also reached out to his hundreds of thousands of Twitter followers, tweeting
On May 5, ALDF will square off against the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in East Baton Rouge District Court over the legality of a permit that allows Tony, a ten-year old Siberian-Bengal tiger, to be confined as a roadside exhibit at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, La. ALDF is arguing that the Department violated state law in granting the permit to Tony’s owner, Michael Sandlin. Sign the petition to help free Tony today! And stay tuned all next week for updates on Tony’s case!
http://aldf.org/article.php?id=1695
4.25.2011
Introducing TONY THE TRUCK STOP TIGER to SYBELLE FOXCROFT....
IT IS SAID SOMEWHERE~"THAT OUT OF EVERY BAD THERE IS A GOOD", "FROM EVERY NEGATIVE THERE IS A POSITIVE". I SIT HERE TODAY, AND FINALLY BELIEVE AND UNDERSTAND BOTH STATEMENTS.......
ON MARCH 25/11, I INTRODUCED MYSELF TO SYBELLE FOXCROFT. ON THAT DAY I HAD NO IDEA TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WHO EXACTLY SYBELLE FOXCROFT WAS. I KNEW SHE APPEARED ON JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL'S "ISSUES" THE NIGHT THAT TONY'S STORY WAS AIRED, BUT I WAS NOT SURE WHO AND EXACTLY WHAT HER CONNECTION WAS.....AND THEN SHE TOLD ME....
SO NOW LET ME TELL YOU ALL....
THE NIGHT TONY AIRED ON "ISSUES" THERE WAS ALSO A STORY FOLLOWING TONY'S ABOUT " THAILAND'S TIGER TEMPLE". SYBELLE FOXCROFT WAS THE WOMAN ON THE PHONE *SPEAKING FROM TIGER TEMPLE.
Meet Sybelle Foxcroft~ Australian Native/Director(CEO) of Cee4life/Scientist/Animal Advocate/Activist
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cee4life-Conservation-Environmental-Education-4-Life/101678479909447http://www.facebook.com/pages/cee4life/128781897141323
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=182401731803200
(Please show Sybelle and Cee4life your thanks and support for all that she is doing)
UNLIKE ALL OF YOU WHO MAY HAVE HEARD OF CEE4LIFE BY NOW AND OF COURSE TIGER TEMPLE. I AT THAT TIME NEW VERY LITTLE ABOUT IT. AS THIS WOMAN BEGAN TO TELL ME WHO SHE WAS, MY HEART LITERALLY STARTED RACING. WHEN THIS WOMAN STARTED TO UNRAVEL SMALL PIECES FOR ME OF HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS~" ONE" BEING SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING TO A STOP "THE WILDLIFE TRADE" AT TIGER TEMPLE IN THAILAND DUE TO HER STRONG DEDICATION AND CONTINUOUS MEDIA COVERAGE SHE HAS BROUGHT DOWN ON TIGER TEMPLE~I SAT AND READ HER WORDS IN AWE....
WHEN SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE HAD BEEN FIGHTING TIGER TEMPLE FOR 5 YEARS , AND SHARED WITH ME ABOUT HER "BOY"~HARNFA. THE TIGER THAT CAPTURES HER HEART(like Tony has captured ours) AND THAT HIS FREEDOM IS WHAT MAKES HER NEVER GIVE UP....WHEN SHE SAID TO ME:
"Every thing I have done, has been in the hope that I can free my Harnfa, I wont give up on him, until his last breath.
Tony is a part of that now."......WHEN SHE SAID TO ME THAT SHE" WANTED TO HELP TONY" ~
"It would be an honor if I could do this for him"
I SAT ON MY CHAIR AT MY COMP. AND I CRIED.....
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PEOPLE (AS YOU ALL KNOW) THAT HAVE OFFERED TO HELP TONY, AND THEIR WORDS OF HOPE , SIMPLY STAYED AT THAT.....AS WORDS.
SYBELLE FOXCROFT I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT, IN THE SHORT TIME I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING ACQUAINTED WITH HER. " IS DEDICATED, LOYAL, RESPECTFUL, GRACIOUS , AND THROUGH ALL THE HARD WORK SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN HER LIFE, IS THE MOST KIND, GROUNDED , HUMBLE, NOBLE PERSON. NOT LOOKING FOR THE RECOGNITION IN ALL THAT SHE HAD DONE....BUT LOOKING FOR THE JUSTICE IN THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPIRITS ROBBED, THEIR LIVES STOLEN, AND TO BRING AN END FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED/ARE SUFFERING AND DYING IN VAIN.
SYBELLE WILL SOON GO TO INDIA FOR HER "FREEDOM WALK FOR TIGERS", (see attached link above), WHERE SHE CONTINUES TO WORK , OPEN (CLOSED EYES) AND MAKE AWARENESS "HOW CRITICAL THE STATE OF THE LAST REMAINING TIGERS ON THIS PLANET REALLY IS".
I HAVE ON MANY OCCASIONS BEEN ASKED FROM PEOPLE, OR VARIOUS SURVEYS~"WHO DO I CONSIDER A HERO, OR WHO IS A HERO TO ME". I NEVER KNEW HOW TO RESPOND TO THAT UNTIL NOW. SYBELLE YOU ARE MY HERO, AND IT IS CLEAR TO ME NOW THAT I AM INCLUDED ON THAT LONG LIST OF PEOPLE WHO THINK THIS OF YOU. IT IS AN INCREDIBLE HONOR TO BE ON THAT LIST OF PEOPLE WHO THINK OF YOU THIS WAY.
WITH SYBELLE'S PERMISSION I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO INCLUDE THIS LINK WHICH WILL GIVE YOU A CLOSER PEAK AT THIS MAGNIFICENT WOMAN DOING WHAT SHE DOES BEST....A WOMAN WHO THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS~HAS OFFERED TO HELP TONY.
http://www.cee4life.org/tigertemple.php
SYBELLE~ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, SKY, THE FREE TONY THE TIGER CAMPAIGN {2008} AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TONY THE TRUCK STOP TIGER.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU. IT IS AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU ON TONY'S SIDE. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR " FREEDOM WALK FOR TIGERS". GOD SPEED.
WE ALL ARE ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING FOR YOU AND ALL THE TIGERS LEFT ON THIS PLANET!!!!!
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS, AND TONY'S XO
I ALSO WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK YOU THORSTEN FOR WAY BACK PUTTING SYBELLE'S NAME IN MY EAR :), ALTHOUGH AT THAT TIME WE BOTH WERE NOT SURE WHAT HER CONNECTION WAS, I AM SO GLAD WE FOUND OUT, WHAT AN IMPORTANT ROLE SHE IS FOR US, FOR TONY AND ALL TIGERS XO
4.11.2011
Animal Legal Defense Fund : ALDF Files Suit to Free Tony the Truck Stop Tiger
ALDF Files Suit to Free Tony the Truck Stop Tiger
The stench of fuel. The deafening sound of diesel engines. The neverending boredom of captivity and isolation. Such are the conditions in which Tony, a 10-year-old Siberian-Bengal tiger, has spent every day and night of the last decade at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana. It’s no life for a tiger, or any other animal. That’s why the Animal Legal Defense Fund has filed a lawsuit in Louisiana, arguing that the permit that allows Tony to languish in a roadside cage violates state law.Kristin Bauer, the actress who portrays the lovely-but-lethal vampire Pam on HBO's award-winning True Blood, has teamed with the Animal Legal Defense Fund in the fight to free Tony.
Tony’s Tragedy
In addition to being subjected to noise and diesel fumes 24-hours a day, Tony is also frequently harassed and taunted by visitors at the truck stop. His enclosure is devoid of adequate enrichment, such as logs, trees, or complex vegetation that would allow him to engage in natural tiger behaviors. He has no pool of water large enough to allow him to submerge himself to cool off in the blazing heat of the summer. As a result of the stress of his confinement, Tony constantly paces on the hard concrete surface of his enclosure, putting him at risk for dangerous and painful veterinary conditions. Michael Sandlin, the owner of Tony and the truck stop, has been cited by the USDA due to violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including a lack of proper sanitation and improper feeding practices.Year after year of living at the Tiger Truck Stop have taken their toll on Tony’s health. The ambient noise from the nearby freeway and the idling trucks, their diesel engines spewing noxious fumes directly into his enclosure, is painful and obtrusive to an animal with such sensitive hearing and an acute sense of smell, says veterinarian Jennifer Conrad, who has 16 years of experience with captive large cats and has visited Tony. “Based on what I have observed of Tony’s enclosure at the Tiger Truck Stop and his behavior from video and photographs, it is my professional opinion that this tiger is in poor condition and needs intervention on his behalf,” she says.
ALDF’s Argument
On April 11, 2011, ALDF filed a lawsuit against the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and its secretary Robert Barham, arguing that he violated state law in granting a permit allowing Sandlin to exhibit Tony at the Tiger Truck Stop. Joining ALDF as a co-plaintiff in the case is former Louisiana Representative Warren Triche, who authored the state’s law which led to the ban on the private ownership of tigers. Two other Louisiana residents, also deeply concerned by Tony’s long-time suffering, are additional co-plaintiffs.
At the heart of ALDF’s position is the fact that Sandlin’s current housing of Tony violates state and local laws. In 2006, the Louisiana state legislature unanimously passed Act 715, which required LDWF to control the private ownership of big cats. The department enacted regulations prohibiting citizens from keeping a tiger as a pet or exhibiting a tiger in the state. In passing these regulations, the department rightly declared that possession of big cats and certain other exotic animals poses significant hazards to public safety and health and is detrimental to the welfare of the animals.
The regulations provided an exception, however: individuals who legally owned big cats as of August 15, 2006, were grandfathered in. These owners would need to apply for an annual permit from the LDWF. An ordinance passed in Sandlin’s parish of Iberville in 1993 made it illegal for anyone to keep a tiger or other large exotic cat on his or her premises for exhibition. In other words, Sandlin did not qualify for the exception because he was not in legal possession of Tony. In addition, Sandlin is ineligible for the state’s grandfathering provision because he does not live on the premises where Tony is kept, contrary to regulations.
Despite the fact that Sandlin was ineligible for a grandfather permit, the LDWF nonetheless issued him one. ALDF is taking the department to court to invalidate this illegally-issued permit.—and free Tony from his troubled life at the truck stop.
Take Action
Join the Animal Legal Defense Fund in urging the state of Louisiana to revoke the permit that allows Tony to be kept at the Tiger Truck Stop—a permit that violates both state and local ordinances designed to protect people and wild animals like Tony.
Sign the petition to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries now!
http://aldf.org/article.php?id=1675
2.21.2011
Activist wants to close attraction
Photos of Tony Taken February 13, 2011
All Photos © – By – & Used With Permission From MHK
THESE PHOTOS BRING MUCH SHAME TO THE FREE TONY THE TIGER CAMPAIGN. IT IS VERY SAD THAT PEOPLE ARE SO DESPRATE FOR ATTENTION THAT THEY WILL PUT THEIR INITIALS RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE PICTURE . AGAIN THIS SHOWS THAT THIS CAMPAIGN BRINGS FORWARD ALL KINDS; EVEN PEOPLE WITH NO CHARACTER, MORALS OR VALUES.
THE PEOPLE THAT CONTINUE TO DO THIS ARE TAKING THE ATTENTION AWAY FROM “TONY” WHICH IS WHY THE FREE TONY THE TIGER CAMPAIGN WAS CREATED.
LET ME REMIND YOU THE NAME IS “FREE TONY THE TIGER CAMPAIGN” NOT ME-ME-ME CAMPAIGN.
THIS IS A STATEMENT FROM MARY HAIK AKA MHK (WHICH IS ON ALL THE PICTURES.)
Activist wants to close attraction
· By KORAN ADDO
· Advocate Westside bureau
· Published: Dec 3, 2010 - Page: 1B
An animal-rights activist made an impassioned plea to Louisiana wildlife commissioners Thursday, calling on them to withhold renewal of a permit allowing an Interstate 10 truck stop to keep a live tiger on display as a roadside attraction.
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission members, however, declined to intervene in the matter. One of them said the issue is properly under the control of the state Wildlife and Fisheries Department, and not the commission.
Mary Haik, of Zachary, argued before the commission that the tiger exhibit at Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete is an example of “one of those times when the whole world looks at Louisiana and thinks that we reek of corruption and idiocy.”
Haik asserted the state has stood by doing nothing while Iberville Parish government has made exceptions to its parish ordinances in order to allow the truck stop to continue to exhibit Tony, a 10-year-old Siberian-Bengal tiger, on the property.
An Iberville Parish ordinance enacted in 1993 prohibits parish residents from owning wild, exotic and vicious animals for exhibition.
The tiger exhibit was grandfathered in last year when the Iberville Parish Council approved a new ordinance allowing the truck stop to keep the tiger.
The new ordinance carries several conditions, however, such as requiring liability insurance, training staff how to deal with a possible tiger escape and specifying that the tiger’s diet must be approved by a licensed veterinarian.
The ordinance further stipulates that the truck stop be subject to unannounced inspections to make sure the tiger is in good health and that Tony is the last tiger the business would be able to exhibit.
Haik argued that the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission should not renew a state permit allowing the tiger to remain on display in what she described as unhealthy conditions.
The tiger has been “illegally owned” since 2000, she said, citing the parish ordinance enacted in 1993 that prohibits exhibition of big cats such as Tony in Iberville Parish.
“If laws are written to protect these endangered species, and then the laws are not enforced as written, then why write them in the first place?” Haik asked the commissioners.
Commissioner Patrick Morrow suggested after the meeting adjourned that Haik should have taken her case against Tony’s continued captivity at the truck stop to Wildlife and Fisheries Department staff members and not to the commission itself.
“The commission enacts rules and regulations,” Morrow said. “As long as the truck stop is in compliance with existing laws, the department, from the commission’s standpoint, has no reason to deny the permit.”
Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham also said after the meeting he had not seen any evidence showing that the truck stop is breaking the law.
“Until that occurs, the truck stop is fulfilling its obligations and the permit will be renewed,” Barham said.
Wildlife and Fisheries officials said earlier this week the truck stop has until Dec. 31 to provide proof of insurance and a health certificate from a veterinarian in order to obtain a state permit to continue exhibiting Tony.
Edward “Lucky” Songy, Iberville Parish’s chief administrative officer, did not attend Thursday’s meeting, but said in an interview the truck stop tiger exhibit had been grandfathered in because the business had tigers on public view before the parish enacted the 1993 law prohibiting such ownership of big cats.
Tiger Truck Stop owner Michael Sandlin did not return calls for comment Wednesday or Thursday.
2.20.2011
Tony ‘the truck stop tiger’ — calls from the driver community to uncage him
December 6, 2010
| by: Todd Dills
Since previous efforts failed (post from March 2009) to force local and state governments to enforce an existing law that, activists argued, made the stop’s display of the tiger illegal has led to a renewed effort this year, as the special permit eventually issued to the truckstop is set to expire at the end of the year.
What makes the renewed effort interesting is that some drivers have publicly joined in the call for moving the big cat. Notable among them is Allen Smith, whom regular readers of the blog will be familiar with as the proprietor with his wife, Donna, at the AsktheTrucker.com site and host of the Truth About Trucking online radio show. Smith has been writing about the dispute over the tiger for a long time himself, but he hadn’t seen the tiger in about six years when he and Donna revisited Tony back in October.
They posted a video subsequently that showed what they felt was an animal in distress, pacing around his cage, eating grass from the enclosure. What’s more, Smith has in the past praised the Tiger Truck Stop for other things, like its down-home food and service, perhaps uncommon among stops of late. But after CNN asked for footage from his visit and then ran a story that Smith felt unfairly portrayed the condition of the tiger, running an older video of the tiger, he called tiger owner Sandlin’s statements “totally false” in this November report from AsktheTrucker.com. Smith went on to say that, in the CNN report, “Sandlin states that Tony is a ‘beautiful, healthy’ tiger and is ‘not isolated.’ When asked about the ‘Do Not Throw Rocks’ sign on the outside of the cage, Sandlin counters that the only people throwing objects at Tony are the animal rights activists, and refers to them as ‘domestic terrorists.’ He also states that Tony is ‘very well taken care of‘” (italics Smith’s).
Smith ends the story with a call for a boycott of the stop: “There is something seriously wrong in Grosse Tete, Louisiana. Truckers should boycott the Tiger Truck Stop until this real issue is solved.”
Others appear to be joining him. Note the plethora of comments to Overdrive‘s latest story on the Tiger Truck Stop. The last one, as of this writing, calls for the same. “Tony needs to moved away from that truckstop. I lived in truckstops for 10 years and hardly think that a truckstop enviroment is suitable for any animal” full-time, one commenter wrote. “BOYCOTT THE TIGER TRUCKSTOP UNTIL TONY IS FREE!!!!”
1.15.2011
1.13.2011
Alleged PETA Member Planted At Animal Park Under Investigation - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |
Alleged PETA Member Planted At Animal Park Under Investigation - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports
THIS IS FUNNY, IT DON'T GET NO BETTER THAN THIS.
JOE IS AN ANIMAL ABUSER AND IS ONLY BREEDING FOR THE MONEY. GET A REAL JOB JOE!
THE LAST I HEARD JOE KEEPS ALL HIS BIG CATS IN DOG SIZE KENNELS.....
Joe Schreibvogel, director of the G.W. Exotic Animal Park, works with a tiger at park.
A lion paces at the G.W. Exotic Animal Park.
THIS IS FUNNY, IT DON'T GET NO BETTER THAN THIS.
THE LAST I HEARD JOE KEEPS ALL HIS BIG CATS IN DOG SIZE KENNELS.....
PETA Allegedly Paid Man To 'Spy, Download Information' From Exotic Animal Park
Posted: Jan 11, 2011 4:08 PM CST Updated: Jan 11, 2011 11:46 PM CST
Joe Schreibvogel, director of the G.W. Exotic Animal Park, works with a tiger at park. Enlarge this picture
A lion paces at the G.W. Exotic Animal Park. Enlarge this picture
Enlarge this picture
The former employee, Samuel Crowell, is a 25-year old who first came to the refuge nearly four years ago as a volunteer.
Rusty Surette, News 9
WYNNEWOOD, Oklahoma -- The Garvin County Sheriff's Office confirmed investigators are looking into possible computer crimes by an alleged "planted" employee inside the G.W. Exotic Animal Park.
Joe Schreibvogel, director of the G.W. Exotic Animal Park, said the crimes were committed by a member of the animals rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, who was planted inside the facility and posed as a staff member.
"During our investigation, we found the camera that was purchased for him by PETA to do this job," Schreibvogel said. "And we found that he had created a diversion to get access to the director's computer and download his hard drive without his knowledge."
A spokesman for the Garvin County Sheriff's Office said a police report has been filed and investigators are looking into a possible computer crime committed at the facility, although no arrest has been made. The case may be turned over to the Garvin County District Attorney.
"PETA has, in the past, cost us millions by sending in undercover spies and lying to the press and on the Internet to discredit our name and exploit us for money" Schreibvogel said. "Paying a spy and downloading your hard drive is criminal."
PETA spokesperson Jane Dollinger said in a statement that they believe G.W. Exotic Animal Park has been mistreating animals.
"G.W. Exotic Animal Park is a notorious pseudo-sanctuary that makes its money from continually breeding animals and tearing the baby animals away from their mothers, dragging them to malls and events for photo ops with the public, then discarding or warehousing them when they reach maturity. In an undercover investigation some years ago, PETA found dead, dying, and injured animals; extremely crowded conditions; a serious lack of basic necessities such as food, water, and veterinary care; shamefully inadequate housing; and untrained and insufficient staff who were intentionally cruel to animals. G.W. Exotic has been furious about PETA's findings, all of which were obtained legally."
Schreibvogel said the former employee, Samuel Crowell, is a 25-year old who first came to the refuge nearly four years ago as a volunteer. Schreibvogel said Crowell's girlfriend is the one who tipped park employees off to the alleged scheme by PETA. The organization allegedly was paying Crowell $50 per day for his work.
Forever Endeavor: Sometimes the Worst Villians Exist in Real Life
Forever Endeavor: Sometimes the Worst Villians Exist in Real Life
January 13, 2011
Sometimes the Worst Villians Exist in Real Life
I normally don't use my blog to champion causes other than writing & the pursuit of publishing happiness.
But today I'm making an exception.
Animal Cruelty, in all its forms, is one of the problems I despise most in this world. Like child abuse, I don't feel there's any excuse for a person to lord their control over another creature who's unable to speak up for themselves.
Sadly, there are a lot of instances we're never made aware of & can do nothing to help fight . . . this is one we can -- and it costs nothing more than a tweet, or a blog post, or a forwarded email.
Tony is a 10 year old tiger who has spent every day of his life stuck in a small cage outside a truck stop in Louisiana.
It's not a wildlife sanctuary.
It's not a zoo.
It's a cage at a truck stop.
Imagine forcing a child to live 10 years of their life in an area no larger than a playpen. All so someone can use them as a sideshow attraction to earn money.
Big Cat Rescue in Tampa has offered to give Tony a home where he can live the second half of his life in peace & quiet. But of course, the owner wants nothing to do with that, because he's too busy exploiting the tiger for his own gain.
Every year or so, he applies for a new permit to keep an exotic wild animal in a public area . . . and inexplicably every year or so, that permit is renewed. It's renewed, because not enough people are aware of what's going on. There hasn't been enough public pressure, fighting for the rights of the one who doesn't have a say in all this.
The reason I'm mentioning this here is because I've seen what this community can do when it puts its mind to it. I've seen it support debut authors to wonderful starting sales. I've seen it rally around sick and hurting members of the community. I've seen it take on unethical magazine editors and shady literary agencies.
I don't expect Tony's cause to become a huge concern plastered on everyone's blogs, but if even a few of you are moved enough by his situation to post about his story or tweet about his website, then Tony's situation is brought to the attention of a few more people than yesterday. And hopefully tomorrow, those people will spread it on to a few more people . . . and so on and so forth.
And maybe one day, Tony will get his freedom.
Maybe one day he'll get to enjoy what it's like to lay in the grass and hear the sounds of other tigers nearby.
Maybe one day, Tony will get to know what it feels like to be a tiger.
1.08.2011
Mountain Seer: Saving Tigers: Tony the Truck Stop Tiger & Temple Tigers (Video) *Tiger population plummeting*
Mountain Seer: Saving Tigers: Tony the Truck Stop Tiger & Temple Tigers (Video) *Tiger population plummeting*
Private Property of a Truck Stop
Tony the Tiger at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana
Just over 3,000 tigers remain
Tiger Population Plummeting
The tiger population has plunged 95% in the last century and there are perhaps just over 3,000 remaining on the entire planet. Two stories are presented in the video below.
First, there is Tony the Tiger at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana. Tony is "privately owned" and caged for a commercial venture. Carole Baskin, founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue, advocates rescuing Tony from lifetime captivity. Michael Sandlin, President of Tiger Truck Stop, counters, "...every American should have the right to own an animal of their choice".
Second, there is the Buddhist Tiger Temple in Thailand, Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua Temple on the River Kwai, which cages not only tigers but other animals for tourists. Jane Garrison, an animal welfare advocate, describes tourists having their photo taken with drugged tigers. Almost one hundred tigers are kept in "tiny, barren cages" with inadequate provision (water, food, medical). Garrison maintains these tigers are part of the illegal "tiger parts" trade and it is a "horrific scene". Tourists, by visiting the Tiger Temple, are in effect supporting a 'lifetime of torture" for these caged tigers. The Thailand Department of National Parks says they have carried out a thorough investigation and found no evidence of involvement in illicit trade or maltreatment of the tigers. Garrison counters that Care for the Wild (CWI) says up to 75 tigers have "disappeared" from the facility and the Tiger Temple keeps renaming the tigers the same name.
(CNN) Experts say the world's tiger population has plummeted 95 percent in the last century. HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell reports.
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