Jindal to decide whether truck stop can keep tiger

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Lawmakers have decided to let a Grosse Tete gas station owner keep a tiger onsite, overruling court decisions against him.

The House voted 67-26 Friday to send the measure by Port Allen Sen. Rick Ward, a Republican, to the governor.

Ward’s bill would exempt Michael Sandlin - owner of Tiger Truck Stop and a 550-pound Bengal tiger named Tony - from state restrictions on owning exotic cats.

Bill supporters say the tiger lives comfortably and safely. New Roads Rep. Major Thibaut, a Democrat, said the bill protects a property owner’s rights.

Opponents say it’s improper to change a law to overrule a court decision. Animal rights groups say keeping Tony at a gas station threatens public safety and the tiger’s well-being.

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Senate Bill 250 can be found at www.legis.la.gov