Baton Rouge, La (LOCAL 33) - A tiger is housed at a truck stop, in Iberville Parish but its future there is the subject of litigation again.
'Tony' the tiger has been there 17 years and the Owner of Tiger Truck Stop, Michael Sandlin, is using every penny to keep him.
"I've spent $700,000 so far fighting to keep him safely home,"said Sandlin.
Because animal activist feel Tony should not be at the truck-stop.
"It's a truck-stop at a major intersection, he has to deal with gasoline smells and a lot of road noise," said Attorney Tony Eliseuson, with Animal Legal Defense Fund.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund said the Louisiana Legislature passed a special exemption for Tony's owner.
"For this one tiger and private owner you can keep your tiger," said Eliseuson.
Eliseuson said that is unconstitutional, and this week the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a petition in court.
"Louisiana Constitution, doesn't allow the Legislature to allow special laws that are designed to benefit a special individual," said Eliseuson.
"My response to that is there was a animal sanctuary in North Louisiana called Yogi and Friends," said Eliseuson
Sandlin said he feels they would have been exempt too, if the legislation was left in its original form. He also said Tony is well taken care of and fed well.
"50 percent beef, 50 percent horse meat, it's a diet even some zoo's can't afford," said Sandlin.
No matter how much diesel he has to sell, Sandlin said Tony won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
"As long as god gives me breathe and as long as he provides the means for me to keep fighting I will," said Sandlin.
See more here:
More Legal Troubles for 'Tony' the Truck-Stop Tiger - http://www.brproud.com
