Truck Stop Tiger Gets Another Day in Court

BATON ROUGE, La. -- A new trial to determine whether a Louisiana truck stop has the right to display a live tiger as a roadside attraction is set to begin today in state district court, according to an Associated Press report.

Previously, the Animal Legal Defense Fund won a ruling that barred the state's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries from issuing a permit to the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, La., that would allow the business to keep a live tiger named Tony on display.

An appeals court ordered a new trial, which will be heard by State District Judge Mike Caldwell, who originally ruled for the fund, according to the report.

Tiger Truck Stop has housed Tony as a live roadside attraction for more than a decade. He is the last privately owned big exotic cat in the state, wildlife officials said.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund contends that Tony's confinement is animal cruelty and that he should be moved to a natural setting for the remainder of his life. Actress Kristin Bauer of TV's True Blood has supported moving Tony and filmed an advocacy video for the fund's efforts earlier this year.