Three years ago, on October 16, 2017, we lost our beloved Tony the Tiger. Not a day goes by where Tony is not on my mind; he has left his massive paw prints on my heart and on the hearts of his friends around the world. For 17 years Tony was confined to a “life” as a roadside attraction at Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete. Louisiana, and because of Tony and his tragic story, people learned about the serious issue of privately owned tigers and big cats in the United States.
For many years Tony had tremendous support for his release to a reputable big cat sanctuary. The legal battle for Tony’s release was led by our very good friends The Animal Legal Defense Fundwho fought tirelessly for Tony. Sadly every court win in Tony’s favor for his release was met by his owner’s appeals and the case dragged on for years. I would like to once again thank The Animal Legal Defense Fund who never gave up on Tony, and who continue to advocate for captive tigers and wild animals. Learn more about ALDF’s work for captive wild animals at : https://aldf.org/focus-area/captive-animals/
One of the best ways we can honor Tony is to support The Big Cat Public Safety Act. This federal bill addresses two of the biggest sources of abuse of big cats by ending owning big cats as pets and stopping exploitative roadside zoos from offering cub petting and photo ops. Read more about this bill and ask your Congress Members for their support at : https://aldf.org/article/add-your-voice-support-the-big-cat-public-safety-act/
In Tony’s memory, all of his social media accounts remain open to network information on ways we can help animals. We hope you will continue to support them.
To ALL of Tony’s amazing friends : THANK YOU! Because of you and your support Tony will never ever be forgotten.
” T ” : I miss you handsome tiger. You are in my thoughts every day and in my heart always.
For ” T ” Always ~ #FreeTonyTiger #TonyAlways 🌈 🐯 🌈
CLICK TO SEE FACEBOOK POST BY TIGERS OF AMERICA ABOUT TONY’S PHOTO
I am truly honored to have this photo of Tony chosen as one of the winners in Tigers in America’s Photo Contest. I’ve always loved this photo (be it sad) because it truly captures such despondence in Tony’s eyes and soul. Tony was born in 2000, obtained as a cub and spent all of his 17 years caged at Tiger Truck Stop.Tony raised tremendous awareness to the plight of captive tigers in the United States; he had friends and supporters from all over the world who advocated for his release to a reputable big cat sanctuary, wonderful sanctuaries who offered him a home and his legal champions, Animal Legal Defense Fund who never stopped fighting for his release. Tony truly was, and always will be, “The Captive Tiger Ambassador.” Visiting Tony at the truck stop was bittersweet, but when I would leave, I always told him we’d never give up and we’d never stop roaring. In his honor and remembrance, all of Tony’s social media accounts remain active to help network actions to help captive tigers and big cats. Thank you all for remembering this very special tiger. RUN FREE ” T ” | #FreeTonyTiger#TonyAlways (Free Tony The Tiger ~ D.M. De Santis) 🌈🐯🌈
Did anyone watch ALDF’s webinar “Tiger King : Questions Answered”? I did and thought it was very informative and covered the issues of captive tigers with great depth ~Thank you Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Alicia Prygoski. I have not watched Tiger King, I think it would just be too upsetting because I will always associate Joe Ex with Michael Sandlin; when we were fighting for Tony’s release to a reputable big cat sanctuary, Sandlin said he was contemplating sending Tony to Joe’s hell hole. This webinar really focused on captive tigers and big cats, laws in place to protect them and pending bills (i.e. Big Cat Public Safety Act) to end private ownership and breeding. It addressed how cubs are bred for profit and exploitation. The possession, breeding and exploiting of tigers and big cats is such a horrid, cruel “industry.” Tony’s case was included in the webinar and some of my photos of Tony were in the presentation; I was honored, and honestly it brought tears to my eyes to see him. I know we all loved Tony and we tried to do whatever we could to help him and support ALDF’s dedicated efforts to free him to an accredited sanctuary. If you missed the webinar, a link to the recording is coming soon! You can check at: https://aldf.org/article/webinars/tiger-king-questions-answered/and it will also be posted on Free Tony The Tiger. Photo accompanying this post is courtesy of Animal Legal Defense Fund, of course that is our Tony on the right. #FreeTonyTiger #TonyAlways 🐯
🐯 Sharing this post from our very good friends Animal Legal Defense Fund. Join Alicia Prygoski, Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Legislative Affairs Manager, on Tuesday March 31, 2020 (12pm PST | 3pmEST) to discuss big cat captivity laws and answer your questions about the docuseries “Tiger King” See this link to sign up and register: https://aldf.org/article/webinars/tiger-king-questions-answered/
Two years ago, on October 16, 2017, we lost a tiger who touched the hearts of people all over the world. While Tony’s story is tragic, confined for all of his life as a roadside attraction at a truck stop in Louisiana, he brought tremendous attention to the serious issue of captive tigers and big cats in the United States.
Unfortunately ALDF victories in court that ruled the permit to keep Tony illegal were met by his owner’s appeals and Tony’s case dragged on for years.
I will never forget the times I visited Tony; I was overwhelmed to be in his presence, but saddened and disturbed that here was this magnificent tiger imprisoned at a truck stop…each time I told him to stay strong and that we’d never give up on him.
I feel that one of the best ways we can honor Tony is to continue to be a voice for captive wild animals.
To learn more about ALDF’s work to help captive wild animals:
Support The Big Cat Public Safety Act : This federal bill addresses two of the biggest sources of abuse of big cats by ending owning big cats as pets and stopping exploitative roadside zoos from offering cub petting and photo ops. Read more about this bill and ask your Congress Members for their support at : https://bigcatrescue.org/big-cat-act/
In Tony’s memory, all of his social media accounts remain open to network information on ways we can help animals. We hope you will continue to support them.
Thanks to all of Tony’s amazing friends for your dedication throughout the years. You are all truly appreciated.
” T ” : you are in my thoughts every day and in my heart always.
In honor and memory of Tony, United States residents are asked to support The Big Cat Public Safety Act. You can read more about this bill and ask your Congress members to support it at: https://bigcatrescue.org/big-cat-act/
We miss and love Tony and think of him every day, and we are forever grateful for the wonderful support and love from Tony’s friends throughout the years.
In early 2017, after learning that Tony the tiger’s health was failing, we requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspect Tony under the Animal Welfare Act. We then submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the inspection report and asked for expedited processing — required under FOIA when delay in providing records “could reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual.”
The USDA denied our request because the agency considers only humans to be “individuals.” We filed a lawsuit against the USDA, challenging its narrow interpretation of “individual,” arguing that the term includes nonhuman animals whose life or physical safety is at risk.
Though Tony is gone, our fight on his behalf continues. Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in our lawsuit.
Watch oral arguments in ALDF”S “Tony the Tiger: The Individual” case before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit fro June 12, 2019:
Animal Legal Defense Fund Director of Litigation Matthew Liebman
NOTE FROM FTTT:
Thank you Matthew and ALDF for continuing to advocate on behalf of Tony and for animals like him.
Tony touched the hearts of so many people all over the world and he will never be forgotten.
I will always be grateful to you and everyone at ALDF for your commitment to Tony and his release to a sanctuary.
I miss Tony and think of him every day. #FreeTonyTiger
A local library in New Jersey hosted programs highlighting poetry. A poem written for Tony, “Beyond The Bars” was submitted and used in a program for children. The children then wrote their own poems, and their poetry and artwork were made into a book. A sixth grade student created the artwork for Tony’s poem and I wanted to share it with Tony’s friends. I think she captured the essence of the poem beautifully. I wrote the poem from Tony’s perspective back in 2010. Tony gave a face – a very handsome one – to the issue of captive tigers in the U.S., and the world learned so much from him. He will always be “The Captive Tiger Ambassador.” Tony holds a very special place in my heart ~ I think of him every day.
I miss you ” T ” #FreeTonyTiger #TonyAlways
“Beyond The Bars”
They stare at me
Through rusted bars
But I look past them
And toward the stars
They watch me pace
Endlessly
But in my mind
I am running free
Captor
Look into my eyes
See the blackness
The emptiness inside
Nothing will break
My Spirit – My Will
I hold my head high
A Proud Tiger Still
Thousands like me
Long for peace and respect
To be rescued from prisons
Of abuse and neglect
My body grows tired
After ten long years
Voiceless – Invisible
Tiger Tears
But Striped Hearts Roar
Loud and strong for me
Voices unwavering
Until I am free
Day after day
Faith in “My Stars”
To Be A Tiger
Beyond The Bars
To ALL of our friends ~ THANK YOU for your friendship, love and support for our amazing TONY the TIGER who we miss SO MUCH.
I imagine Tony is running and playing in the snow surrounded by festive pine trees…miss you so much ” T ” ~ Thank YOU for teaching us all so much about your world and how important it is for us to find our voice to help animals.
Three years ago, on October 16, 2017, we lost our beloved Tony the Tiger. Not a day goes by where Tony is not on my mind; he has left his massive paw prints on my heart and on the hearts of his friends around the world. For 17 years Tony was confined to a “life” as a roadside attraction at Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete. Louisiana, and because of Tony and his tragic story, people learned about the serious issue of privately owned tigers and big cats in the United States.
To ALL of our friends ~ THANK YOU for your friendship, love and support for our amazing TONY the TIGER who we miss SO MUCH.
Free Tony The Tiger 