Please Support SB250

A Victory in Senate overcame the discrimination case and agenda against Tony the Tiger and his owner. With the winning vote on Tuesday 5/13/2014, SB250 now heads to the House of Representatives.
http://theadvocate.com/home/9166151-125/senate-says-tony-the-tiger

Senate Bill 250 would allow a licensed owner, who obtained the exotic animal legally and has been in continuous possession and ownership since Aug. 15, 2006, to be exempted from state law that bans private owners. The exception would apply retroactively and fit Sandlin’s Tiger Truck Stop situation.

Michael Sandlin has the same license for housing an exotic animal as LSU for it's mascot, Mike the Tiger and the Baton Rouge Zoo for its tigers.
However, according to L.D.W.F. only the following organizations are exempt from their rules. "Zoo's, Research Facilities, Circuses, Louisiana colleges or universities". http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/29505 These exclusions exclude and discriminate against Tony the Tiger and his (private) owner.

Tony's welfare is not in danger, he is not abused or unhealthy and does not need "rescued" in fact; his enclosure is approx 3-4 times larger than most captive tigers and about twice the size of a suburban home and despite the fact that Tony is healthy and will be 14 in June; he and his owner Michael Sandlin have been under legal attack by a conglomeration of Animal Rights groups for years who feel it is acceptable for only them to own Big Cats.

In 2009 Big Cat Rescue Tampa hired an attorney to represent Tony the tiger in an effort to have him removed from the truck stop based upon an existing ban on the private possession of big cats in Iberville Parish, while portraying Tony to be living in bad conditions using misleading videos, photos, false allegations of poor health and cruelty. Today, still trying to take ownership of Tony while stating a truck stop subjects him to noise and diesel fumes despite the fact the tiger is healthy.
http://www.examiner.com/article/tampa-s-big-cat-rescue-will-provide-permanent-home-to-tony-the-truck-stop-tiger

There is no difference in Tony living at a truck stop verses a Zoo, College or Sanctuary that is located directly beside a major highway with touring visitors. Tony’s habitat is further from the trucks and the interstate and has less daily visitors than the Sanctuary that is trying to steal him from his owner. Big Cat Rescue, a facility that publicly exploits Big Cats in paying tours and other activities on a regular basis.

City traffic is considered Environmental Noise. There are short term exposures that can cause hearing damage however, if Tony was exposed to unacceptable loud noise levels/decibels 90-95dB every day he “may or may not” have hearing issues today.

According to The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) it’s not just diesel exhaust that are dangerous. Various studies have found that automobile exhaust is linked to the same conditions as diesel exhaust, and the Health Effects Institute says that 30 percent to 45 percent of people in North America are regularly exposed to high levels of exhaust from major roadways.

It is in Tony's best interest to remain where he is safe, loved and healthy. Moving Tony to another location will not put him in a Safe Bubble escaping everyday environmental dangers and it will not give him Freedom to the wild where he can never be released. In fact, taking him from his bonded owner would most likely cause depression, separation anxiety and possible euthanasia for not adjusting.

ALDF’S Mission Statement reads: “Abuse an Animal Go To Jail”. We the Petitioners question why a healthy 13 year old Tiger that does not need rescued a greater concern to ALDF than the barbaric practices of the facility they work side by side with to (Save Tony)? A “Sanctuary” who factually throws Live Domestic Rabbits and other animals into bobcat cages to be tortured and torn apart alive for no good reason? Why does HSUS, Peta and others follow this discrimination agenda and turn a blind eye to real animal cruelty, barbaric unnecessary animal cruelty practiced by the very persons claiming Tony is being abused?

As we strive to achieve our goals of Responsible Animal Ownership, Ethics and Compassion, sadly and shamefully the monies spent and donated toward this campaign against an animal clearly not in need of rescue could have made a difference for thousands of animals that are really abused and suffering, animals dying in shelters every day, in filthy back yard breeding operations or being used as live bait, who will die never having a chance for life or to know love from another animal or human.

We the Petitioners respectfully ask Speaker Kleckley and the Louisiana House of Representatives to Support SB250, research the Truth behind this agenda of hate and leave Tony home where he belongs to live out the remainder of his life.

BCR vs Tony the Tiger on Safety and Well Being

Urban development at area where activists think the public will be safer than at Tiger Truck Stop. 110 times more cats, 20 times more people, population masses within a few hundred feet - all in North Tampa area.

This is what they do not want you to see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnDq4UksJS4