At this moment a 16-year-old Siberian-Bengal tiger named Tony is caged at a gas station truck stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana, 20 miles outside of Baton Rouge. Confined to a cramped metal cage, Tony breathes in diesel fumes daily while passersby tease and harass him. Tony has lived this way for nearly his entire life, and his circumstances are often a shock to the average person, who feels innately that this is not the right place for a tiger, especially an ageing one with neglected veterinary needs. People ask, “how can this be legal?” and the Animal Legal Defense Fund believes firmly that it’s not. In fact, we’ve been fighting for over six years to have Tony relocated to a sanctuary that can meet his complex needs and give him the veterinary care he is entitled to. Our campaign to save Tony is now even more dire after reports raising concerns about Tony’s health.
Let Tony Live the Rest of His Days in Comfort
All across the world, people follow Tony’s story. Recently, we’ve received many reports from worried citizens stating that Tony appears lethargic and is experiencing diarrhoea and a decreased appetite. The Animal Legal Defense Fund obtained photo and video evidence and enlisted the help of a veterinarian with experience treating exotic animals to review it. In the vet’s expert opinion, Tony is likely suffering from kyphosis of the spine and an injury or other condition that is causing him to limp. This isn’t run-of-the-mill ageing; Tony needs help. Living at a truck stop is, at the least, exacerbating Tony’s poor health. While no animal is suited to living at a truck stop, tigers are particularly ill-equipped because of their sharp sense of smell and sensitive hearing. Independent of all our pending legal work to free Tony, the Animal Legal Defense Fund just submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which licenses the Truck Stop under the federal Animal Welfare Act, urging that Tony be inspected by a licensed specialist and given any necessary veterinary care.
The Legal Battle for Tony’s Safety
We believe that Tony, and all big cats held in captivity, deserve to live in environments that meet their psychological and physical needs. Our campaign to remove Tony from his particularly grim captivity at Tiger Truck Stop has been lengthy and determined. Michael Sandlin, the owner of the truck stop, however, has pulled out all the stops to keep Tony in captivity. He has spent over $750,000 fighting our efforts and has also manipulated the legislative system by successfully lobbying the Louisiana legislature to pass a special exemption designed solely to benefit Sandlin and allow him to keep Tony. It’s no surprise that Sandlin puts up such a fight; he’s been exploiting tigers like Tony for decades, using them as a gimmick to lure customers to his gas station. The USDA has cited Sandlin numerous times for violations ranging from failure to provide veterinary care to lack of clean drinking water. In 2003, Sandlin relinquished three tigers amid public outrage over his treatment of the big cats. Only Tony remains.
Inspired in part by Tony’s plight, then Representative Warren Triche, Jr. introduced legislation in 2006 to ban private possession of big cats in Louisiana. The law passed, and while it was a tremendous win for the big cats saved from being the next Tony, Sandlin continued to hold Tony in violation of the law. The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for unlawfully issuing Sandlin a permit to exhibit Tony. We were joined in the suit by former Rep. Triche, Jr. and several other Louisiana taxpayers. Both the trial court and the Louisiana Court of Appeal held that Sandlin and the Tiger Truck Stop were ineligible for a big cat permit and could no longer keep Tony captive. In October 2013, the Louisiana Supreme Court let that decision stand. Still, Tony remained at the truck stop.
Despite the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s victory, which should have freed Tony and allowed him to be moved to a sanctuary, Sandlin has been able to keep Tony in captivity because of two legal tactics that he has pursued relentlessly.
First, after the trial court ruled against Sandlin and while his appeal was pending, he filed a separate lawsuit challenging the big cat ban as unconstitutional. The Animal Legal Defense Fund, along with concerned Louisiana citizens, promptly filed a petition to intervene in that action to defend the constitutionality of the big cat ban. Both the State of Louisiana and the Animal Legal Defense Fund argued Sandlin’s claims were barred because he failed to raise them in the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s prior action. Those arguments are still pending today, nearly five years later.
Second, Sandlin manipulated the legislative system by successfully lobbying the Louisiana legislature to pass Act 697, a special law designed to exempt Sandlin – and only Sandlin – from the big cat ban. It was signed into law by then Governor Jindal. The Animal Legal Defense Fund again immediately went to work, suing the state of Louisiana and arguing Act 697 violated the Louisiana Constitution because it was a “special law” designed to benefit one individual from existing state public safety and animal welfare laws. We were again joined in the suit by former Rep. Triche Jr. and other concerned Louisiana citizens.
We’re Not Giving Up
The Animal Legal Defense Fund recently combined its challenges to both of Sandlin’s legal tactics into the same action, filing an amended petition in intervention in Sandlin’s lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of the big cat ban. This will allow the Animal Legal Defense Fund — in one motion — to raise arguments both challenging the constitutionality of Act 697’s exemption for Tony and explain why Sandlin’s challenges to the big cat ban itself should fail. A ruling in favour of the Animal Legal Defense Fund on such a motion should finally put an end to Sandlin’s legal tactics and provide a final resolution allowing Tony to be relocated to a sanctuary.
As the world watches the ups and downs of the fight to save Tony, the tiger’s life remains essentially the same. He doesn’t know his story inspired a former Representative to come out of retirement to fight for him, or that the big cat ban will help others of his kind. All he knows is life in a cramped cage off the highway. Tony deserves the veterinary care he needs and to live out the rest of his life in peace. He doesn’t just deserve it, we believe he’s guaranteed it under the law. We won’t stop until Tony is safe
“I am appalled, sickend & saddened that someone could do this to such a tiny 3 month old dog. What kind of sick psycho, capable of doing such an evil thing, can manage to walk amongst us; undetected?? This poor little puppy couldn’t hurt a fly it’s so small. The bloody Empire Damansara should be willing to hand over CCTV of the car park where the dog was found! In fact, you would think they would find this such an atrocity that they would be offering any help they can; but they don’t seem to give a rats ass about it! I’m just thankful that an animal lover found this tiny pooch & took action. Please go to the Face Book page below to show your support & help catch the abomination that tortured this tiny dog!”
Details Published on Wednesday, 29 June 2016 12:48
In the same week that news about a female dog nursing its puppies was found shot dead in Muar, Johor, in Damansara Perdana, a puppy with its legs broken and mouth taped was found in the Empire Damansara parking lot.
Luckily, the puppy was rescued by the hands of an animal lover, who posted details about the condition of the three-month-old frail animal found on June 22.
The user named Vicky Liew relayed on her Facebook how she and her friend came to find the puppy that was left in a paper bag.
The rescuers only discovered later on the puppy, a good Pomeranian breed, had lost its legs when taking it to the vet.
“This poor dog had been abused because both front legs were purposely broken by inhuman people!! Stay strong puppy!!!,” Vicky wrote.
How could anyone do this??
She then tried to hunt down the culprits who abused the puppy by reporting to the management in hopes they were able to track them down through the CCTV footage, however she reported thatEmpire Damansara was not being cooperative on the matter.
This is just heartbreaking!
“Write on Empire Damansara page to urge them to cooperate so the people who are working on this case can lodge a report to the Department Of Veterinary Services. Keep it viral and keep it going,” she urged the public after sharing it on Dog Lovers of Malaysia group.
The latest updates on the rescued puppy, now named Summer, is living in a new home with loving owner Sim Kian Theng, and shows that the animal had been discharged from the hospital and is recovering well.
“She will be healing soon! I need strong mentality!!! I committed 24hrs care for her!!!,” wrote Sim.
Kudos to good Samaritans like Sim and Vicky, however thus far, no updates have been shared regarding the Empire Damansara management lodging a report against animal abusers, nor statement of them taking action on the case, as well as increasing security in their parking lots with adequate CCTV footage, despite the complaints by netizens and fellow residents.
Last year, the Malaysian government passed the Animal Welfare Act 2015 – a new comprehensive Act with fines 100 times heavier for animal abuse cases. Offenders now face a minimum fine of RM20,000 and possible jail time.
No reason to try to rehabilitate or reuse terrible facility
The situation at the Edmonson County Animal Shelter should have never been allowed to happen.
Animals were discovered very malnourished, without water, covered in their own urine and feces, with urine burns on some of the animals’ feet, and some of them had obvious wounds.
Last week, the shelter’s director, Kim Carroll, of Bee Spring, was cited and charged with second-degree animal cruelty following the discovery of dozens of cats and dogs – including dead ones – in what police called an “extremely poor environment.”
It’s very unfortunate that a year after a Daily News investigative team visited the shelter numerous times and reported conditions that appeared to fall short of guidelines for shelters offered by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians that the same conditions still exist. In that investigation, it was revealed that animals were in cages too small, some were underweight and some were without water.
It’s quite obvious the newspaper’s story had no impact on those running the shelter as the conditions remained the same.
After the animals were discovered last week, several of them had to be euthanized due to the cruel conditions of this shelter.That’s a shame and a good indication that Carolland her husband, Greg, have no business running an animal shelter. The conditions these animals were found in is a clear evidence of that.
It’s truly reprehensible that someone would let animals live in these types of conditions. There is some good news out of this and that is that the shelters doors have been shuttered for now and 47 dogs and 17 cats were removed from the property. Other county agencies as far away as Owensboro also took animals from the property to their shelters.
The question now is, where does Edmonson County go from here in regards to the future of this shelter? Edmonson County Judge-Executive Wil Cannon says the county doesn’t condone wrongdoing and that the county government doesn’t own or operate the shelter in Bee Spring. He is correct. It is a for-profit business owned by the Carrolls.
Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society Director Lorri Hare has been invaluable in getting some animals out of their shelter and getting them here. Hare has called for this shelter to be closed and has been invited to speak by Cannon before the Edmonson County Fiscal Court next week.
Hare expects the county will ask the Bowling Green shelter to take in Edmonson County animals with a contract agreement. Hare said there will only be a chance for that if the Carrolls are no longer involved at all in animal control in Edmonson County.We agree with Hare that it’s time for the Carrolls to move on to a new profession because this one certainly isn’t for them.
Cannon seems to be on the same page as Hare, which is good. Edmonson County government will have to hire, equip and properly train someone to take the animals to Warren County if something is worked out with the Warren County shelter. Barring some legal reason, Cannon plans to ask fiscal court to dissolve the county’s contract with the Carrolls.
Cannon is being proactive and taking the right approach. He should be commended for doing so. Cannon made a very good point when he said the Carrolls were given a chance last year to right whatever wrongs that may have been occurring at the shelter and they didn’t.The Carrolls simply dropped the ball and in doing so put animals at risk which in some cases resulted in animals being euthanized.
In the final analysis, this should’ve never happened. We’re glad to see that the county and Hare are working on correcting this bad situation and providing a better home for these animals. Our view is that this shelter needs to be closed permanently and we sincerely hope that is the final decision.
“People who can do this sort of thing to an animal, are clearly born without the part of the brain that makes the majority of us appalled at such horrific sites. I do hope they found whoever did this, fast. If you think you know who the dog belongs to, please contact the information below the picture, thank you!”
Metter Animal Shelter is looking for tips of the person or persons responsible for wrapping duct tape around this dog’s head.
The dog was found on the Stillmore Hwy. Monday morning. Metter Fire and Rescue assisted with removing the chain and duct tape.
Contact ACO Tommy Condrey at 912-685-7877 or send us a message at the shelter.
A mother and her son have been arrested and charged with animal cruelty for allegedly cutting off the ears of a pit bull at a home in Williamsburg County, South Carolina, earlier this week, reported Thursday’s publication of Georgetown and Beyond.The suspects arrested this week have been identified as 57-year-old Myrtle McGee Daniels and her 37-year-old son Scotty Bruce Tyler.
Daniels and Tyler allegedly used scissors to lop off the dog’s ears inside of a home on Seaboard Road in Andrews – an investigation was launched after photos of the bloodied dog were posted to Facebook on June 4, and subsequently shared countless times by outraged individuals.
The original investigation was started by the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Department, but later was transferred to the Williamsburg County Environmental Services Department when it was discovered that the alleged abuse took place in Williamsburg County.
The injured dog, named “Brick,” was found on Wednesday and he is receiving veterinary care. According to ABC 15 News, donations for Brick’s veterinary expenses can be mailed to:Valiant Animal Rescue & Relief at PO Box 13477,Charleston S.C. 29422
Mother and son were taken to the Williamsburg County Detention Center – the case remains under investigation
Authorities intercept man trying to leave a day after dozens of dead tiger cubs found in Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua temple freezer
Thai wildlife officers load a tiger on to a truck outside the temple in Kanchanaburi province. Photograph: Dario Pignatelli/Getty
Wildlife authorities in Thailand have found adult tiger skins and fangs during a raid on the “tiger temple” tourist attraction and intercepted a monk who was trying to leave in a car that was carrying skins. Separately, officials said they would press charges against the Buddhist temple after 40 tiger cubs were found in a freezer on Wednesday.
“Today we found tigers skins and amulets in a car which was trying to leave a temple,” said Adisorn Noochdumrong, the deputy director of the DNP. He said a search of several monks’ quarters yielded further body parts, bringing Thursday’s haul to two full-body tiger skins, about 10 fangs and dozens of pieces of tiger fur.
Volunteers, staff and monks at Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua temple complex have long denied trafficking allegations. But international animal rights groups including WWF and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals applauded the raid. Police Col Bandith Meungsukhum told AFP the dead cubs would have been one or two days old. He said their DNA would be tested to see if they were related to tigers at the temple.
The temple claims it decided in 2010 to stop cremating the cubs and preserve them to “keep as proof against the allegations of selling cubs”.
Thailand is a central route for the illegal wildlife trade through south-east Asia, including for ivory, rhino horn and live animals. Tiger parts, including bones and penises, are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species banned the trade in tiger parts and products in 2007. The raid is the culmination of a battle that has been going on for years between the government and the temple. Thailand has an estimated 1,200-1,300 captive tigers.
Allegations: It is accused of illegal possession of wild animals and illegal trade in wildlife.
A probe will soon be launched on whether it legitimately acquired its 2,000 rai block of land.
Background: In 2001, it had seven tigers.
: In 2015, officials found 147 tigers in its compound and embedded these big cats with microchips so they could be tracked.
: In 2016, officials started moving tigers out of the temple.
Shocking Discoveries: During the operation to search and catch tigers for relocation, officials found the bodies of 40 tiger cubs in jars, plus frozen tiger carcasses, tiger skins, tiger amulets, engraved tiger fangs and stickers about antler herbs and food supplements made of tiger bodies. The body of a binturong, antlers and parts of various other animals were also found in the compound.
“I believe his dog died due to worms, & if so, in my opinion, yes this idiot is guilty of animal abuse! The majority of dog owners know that treatment for worms is a must; without worming tablets, dogs can get worms & die if not treated immediately! I can’t believe a man of this stature wouldn’t know about worms in dogs; they are a basic provision for dogs & tablets cost very little! I’m sure he had enough money to by some worming tablets, besides if the dog was under a vets practice, it’s something that they would probably have treated the dog for, or given the owner advice on how to buy tablets & treat the dog for worms; whilst under its regular checkups etc.!”
The Baltimore Ravens will cut nose tackleTerrence Cody – who has been accused of animal cruelty – right after the Super Bowl, the team announced Friday. Baltimore police confirmed that Cody is below investigation and could face animal cruelty charges but…
The Baltimore Ravens will cut nose tackle Terrence Cody – who has been accused of animal cruelty – right after the Super Bowl, the team announced Friday.
NFL Player Terrence Cody
Baltimore police confirmed that Cody is below investigation and could face animal cruelty charges but declined additional comment. Baltimore County state attorney Scott Shellenberger declined to supply details about the alleged incident that sparked the investigation. He mentioned his office will ascertain if criminal charges are appropriate by late next week.
The Baltimore Sun reported that the investigation stems from an incident with a dog. The Ravens did not cite a purpose in a statement announcing the decision to terminate Cody’s contract, but the team is aware of the investigation.
Cody’s agent Peter Schaffer issued a statement that mentioned his client’s dog died due to worms. “There was no animal cruelty,” Schaffer mentioned. “If this affects at all my client’s ability to get a job, I am going to do every thing in my legal energy to guard his rights.”
Cody, 26, was scheduled to turn out to be an unrestricted free of charge agent on March ten, when his one-year, $730,000 contract expires.
The Ravens had high hopes for Cody, who was drafted in the second round of the 2010 out of Alabama. But he has struggled with weight challenges, conditioning problems and injuries in the course of his five-season NFL profession. Cody, who underwent hip surgery after the 2013 season, played in just 1 game this season.
His very best season was 2011, when he started in all of the Ravens’ 16 games and created 34 tackles. He had 87 tackles and two pass deflections in his five seasons with Baltimore.
“Animal abuse of any type is unacceptable,” mentioned Tina Regester, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “We are pleased the police and the Ravens are treating this as a really serious matter.”
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
Investigators in Suffolk County, New York, are trying to determine if foul play is behind the death of a dog who was found floating in a canal off of Long Island on Thursday morning, reported NECN News.
A West Islip resident made the troubling find and reached out to the local animal control for help.
Body of dog found in canalEims
The dog, described as an adult, female Rottweiler mix, had a chain and cinder block attached to her neck; a necropsywill be done to see if the dog was dead or alive when she was placed into the water.
Investigators with the Suffolk County SPCAhope to determine if the dog was intentionally drowned, or if it was an attempt for an “at sea” burial.
Aside from the disturbing items found on the dog’s body, there were no other obvious signs of trauma.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
You can find out more about me & this blog by reading "ABOUT THIS BLOG" on the menu (when i finish it) lol
PLEASE NOTE.....
Not all of my posts will be current news, or even about animal abuse! I do like to share other animal news, uplifting stories or videos; some that are funny or just touch the heart!
If I have anything to say on any post, you will see it in bold blue writing. I try to remain a lady, but it's hard to contain my anger & emotions at the some of the stories I post; I don’t have a heart of stone, tears stain many articles I write!
Lastly, my apologies for any errors; I am learning whilst posting, so if you find anything that doesn't work or a broken link, sorry, I'm only human!!!!
ABOUT THESE POSTS
I would just like to make readers aware, that I search for stories on the internet; regards animal abuse etc. I copy stories etc. from the internet; assuming these stories are correct at time of publishing. Having said that, sometimes the press get it wrong! So I just want to add that at the time of me posting a news story, I presume all the facts seem present & correct.
Please note....all people mentioned in this blog, are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise, in a court of law.
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For anyone wishing to connect to me via my Facebook page...PLEASE NOTE, ONLY PEOPLE I ADD AS ANIMAL ADVOCATES CAN SEE MY WHOLE PAGE...I do this out of respect for those friends I have who do not wish to see graphic images, videos or links of animal abuse!
As 99% of my page is animal related; anyone not in the above group of friends; will only see a limited amount of posts!!
DUE TO ANIMAL HATERS...I WILL ONLY ADD PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVE WHO THEY ARE via Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter etc. & WHO HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST IN ANIMAL WELFARE... i.e. if your Facebook page has absolutely nothing to do with animals, I see no point in joining my page. My Facebook is solely for animal welfare, I am not interested in playing games etc. I don't mean to sound rude but I am not interested in the amount of friends I have, its the quality of those friends that count.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND REQUESTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN. I do not want anyone to be upset by graphic images etc.
My aim is to educate & raise awareness to the horrors animals face, at the hands of humans, every day, around the world!!
We can not hope to achieve better laws, to protect animals, unless we unite as one, to speak up for those who are voiceless!!
.
Stephen Wells, ALDF 
April 21, 2017 
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
STOP ANIMAL ABUSE 
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