I am not sure I believe in animal “rights”. But I do believe human beings have a divinely given responsibility to care for animals. This is a theological conviction rooted in exegesis of Genesis 1-2. God created human beings to represent God within creation and to “manage” (my loose translation of yirduu < Hebrew rada[h] – got this from a Chinese visiting scholar in forestry) the world with God and for God. So “rule over the animals” does not mean “dominate them and do whatever you want with them” because that is not the Hebrew/biblical concept of rule. To “rule” has in mind the ancient ideal of the shepherd-king (rather than king-as-tyrant) who cares for those in his charge.
Human beings – who image God within creation – are supposed to take care of animals.
And so I have little sympathy for Michael Sandlin who for eight years has kept a tiger in a steel-and-concrete cage at his truck stop in order to attract people to his business. Iberville Parish is trying to enforce a rule against displaying wild animals. Sandlin is suing for an exception because – and at least he comes out and admits this:
“A large portion of the business at Tiger Truck Stop comes from customers stopping to view the tiger exhibit,” his lawsuit seeking an injunction stated.
“Mr. Sandlin will suffer irreparable harm if he is required to relocate his tiger,” the suit stated. “If he is forced to relocate the tiger or if the tiger is seized then he will most likely be prevented from bringing it back to the State of Louisiana.”
Read the whole thing at the Baton Rouge Advocate. You do not have to register.
Okay – I sympathize a little bit. It would hurt him financially (along with the people he employs which includes family members). Not that other businesses somehow manage without something like a tiger-on-display-in-a-cage. And it could be worse. The tiger can stand up and move around. He is cared for – more or less.
How would Sandlin like to be stuck in a cage like this for eight years? “But you get plenty of water and food. You are well fed. These animals rights wackos should not move you from the only home you have known for eight years”. It could be worse – but that is a far cry from being good or right or appropriate for a wild animal. Louisiana State University grew a brain and a heart and built the new habitat for Mike the Tiger. (Which is not to endorse the whole tiger-on-display thing.) Animals need more than water and food when they are stuck in a bare boring steel and concrete cage. They need stimulation. Things to do. Otherwise we suggest that prison is no big deal – right?
The animal rights activist should not have allegedly called Sandlin’s sister an “inbred” (which nearly led to fisticuffs outside the courtroom). But other than that…
What kind of people are these? Who would use a tiger like this?
No wonder some people think Louisiana is backwards.
