Tony is a 11 year old Siberian/Bengal tiger used as a roadside attraction at Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete Louisiana. Tony’s owner, Michael Sandlin, has bought, sold, bred, and exhibited tigers for OVER 20 years.
In 2003, because of violations and fines, Mr. Sandlin and the USDA made an agreement where 3 of the 4 tigers he owned, Toby, Khan and Rainbow, were sent to Tiger Haven in Kingston TN.
The USDA reduced the fines and allowed Michael Sandlin to keep one tiger, Tony.
Many of life's failures...
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." - Thomas Edison
Tony the tiger watches from his Tiger Truck Stop habitat Wednesday as owner Michael Sandlin, left, and Joe ‘Joe Exotic’ Schreibvogel discuss the legal situation involving efforts to move the tiger from Grosse Tete. Sandlin recently painted Tony’s cage with LSU’s purple and gold colors.
Jordan Blum
Advocate capitol news bureau
The Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete and its controversially caged Tony the tiger were the focus of a live, Internet radio show Wednesday that promoted keeping the 10-year-old tiger in town.
The one-hour “Out and Wild with Joe Exotic” show on gay-themed OutOnline.com showcased the cage habitat and its new purple and gold paint.
The tiger at the Tiger Truck Stop, west of Baton Rouge, has been the subject of a lawsuit as well as actions by federal, state and parish governments over the past eight years.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund, with headquarters in California, complained recently that the tiger enclosure’s new color scheme violated LSU’s trademark. LSU houses Mike, a Bengal tiger that serves as the university’s mascot.
LSU is not planning to pursue any action after consulting with legal counsel, said Brian Hommel, director of LSU trademark licensing.
“We don’t believe this particular use currently rises to the level of infringement,” Hommel said Wednesday.
The ALDF is in court attempting to move the tiger from its truck stop enclosure.
Joe Schreibvogel, who goes by “Joe Exotic” on the Internet webcast and radio show, also has had his share of run-ins with the ALDF and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA, over allegations of animal abuse. He runs the G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park in Wynnewood, Okla.
Schreibvogel rallied support for Michael Sandlin, who owns the truck stop in Grosse Tete.
Schreibvogel showed online video of him inspecting the grass and air conditioning in Tony’s cage. He said he approved of the 550-pound tiger’s health and happiness.
Schreibvogel said Sandlin is being unfairly targeted by “people who know nothing about tigers.”
“This tiger is in no need of being rescued,” Schreibvogel said, arguing the Siberian-Bengal mix would likely die of depression in an animal sanctuary.
“You can’t smell any gas; you can’t smell any diesel,” he said from the tiger cage. The truck stop is within sight of Interstate 10. But many zoos are near interstate highways, he said.
“Let’s get some checkbooks out and build Tony a (new) home right here in Grosse Tete,” he said.
A state district court ruling in May barred the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries from issuing any new animal permits to the Tiger Truck Stop once the current permit expires after December. So, as of now, Tony must go elsewhere after this year.
A Sept. 15 court hearing is scheduled in an effort to revoke the permit sooner.
A district judge in May agreed with the ALDF that a permit can only be issued to an individual, not a corporation, and that the individual must live on the premises.
Tiger Truck Stop is the permit holder, not Sandlin.
Employees with Big Cat Rescue, an animal sanctuary in Tampa, Fla., home to 117 large cats, have been working for years to have Tony removed from the truck stop.
“Hell will freeze over before Tony ever goes to Big Cat Rescue,” Sandlin said Wednesday, arguing he would sooner send the tiger to the G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park.
“We may have to file a separate suit against the state and kind of circumvent this litigation,” Sandlin said.
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"
Dianna Lee July 2 at 11:01pm Report
Why are you blocking people who are trying to give information about tony that you are choosing to leave out. I have recent photos of tony and he is in good condition. Full of life not underweight like you have stated as well as he has s nice enclosure with AC in his den box. I have family who visit tony on several occasions and he has never been locked out. Why are you not letting all the information be told.
Sent via Facebook Mobile Dianna Lee (Suzie Singleton) Lives in Brandon, Florida
THIS LINK IS TO HER FACEBOOK PROFILE: https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000154450137
Posted by Lisa Franzetta, ALDF's Director of Communications on April 29th, 2011
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=6207
The 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
With the recent article http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100422/ap_on_re_us/us_michelle_obama
bringing to light the fact that Michelle and President Obama’s daughter Malia is concerned about tigers, let’s start an avid campaign – letters, e-mails, phones calls – by contacting the White House with Tony’s story.Please remember to keep letters and phone calls on target, polite and respectful.
Write to the President and First Lady Michelle Obama:
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
(Please include your e-mail address)
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does” Margaret Mead
Note:
Dear Friend,
Thank you for your message. On behalf of President Obama, we
appreciate hearing from you. The President has promised the
most transparent administration in history, and we are committed
to listening to and responding to you.
In order to better handle the millions of electronic messages
we are receiving and respond more quickly, we have implemented a
new contact form on our website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Please note that this web form has replaced comments@whitehouse.gov. That email address is no longer
monitored, so we encourage you to resubmit your message
through the link above. Thank you for using the web form and
helping us improve communications with you.
Sincerely,
The Presidential Correspondence Team
