For nearly 50 years, the University of Memphis has brought live tigers to its football games, subjecting the animals to the stress of thousands of screaming fans. But following the sudden death of its most recent mascot TOM (Tigers of Memphis) III and persistent criticism from activists and the public, the university will end its cruel and inhumane practice.
TOM III, a 450-pound Bengal tiger, passed away at age 12 after falling ill, according to a statement by the university. Efforts to end the use of live tiger mascots precedes his illness, however, with nearly 10,000 people asking university officials to stop carting TOM III to football games.
“We’re deeply saddened by the death of TOM III,” Lisa Levinson of In Defense of Animals said in a press release. “It’s unfortunate that captivity was the only life he ever knew. His death is bittersweet in that he never got to experience life in the wild, but we’re grateful that University President M. David Rudd decided TOM III will be the last live tiger the University of Memphis ever trucks to football games.”
TOM III was forced to sit in a cage at the south end zone during football games and entertain crowds of people at the “Tiger Walk,” where fans marched around and took photos with him. This inhumane practice started in 1972 with TOM I.
Having a live tiger at football games is cruel for the animals (who have to endure loud crowds of screaming fans), undermines conservation efforts for big cats (who belong in the wild and not in cages for entertainment), and present public safety risks.
Unfortunately, the university is still committed to having a live tiger mascot, TOM IV, who will live at the Memphis Zoo, reported the Memphis Commercial Appeal. This tiger will never go to games, but animal welfare groups are calling on the university to sponsor a wild tiger instead and make a positive impact for wildlife conservation.
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I hope this university will actually stop this animal abuse.
would never want to see a wild animal at a football game this should had never happened so heartbreaking and sad
How am I supposed to sign these petitions when they aren’t attached to the post?!?!!. So Very Frustrating and Wrong!! Please attach petitions so we can sign and support these critical issues!! Sincerely Kari Powell!!
All those years of cruelty…..Uncaring….WHY??????????????
really.
Please keep Tom and other mascots alive in the wild and stop using live animals for mascots period – they are not born to be mascots for humans to have fun. Treat all animals as you want to be treated yourself !
Should never have happened in the first place!
How stupid these people are. And these are our educators???? What a sad commentary.
Despicable.
all animal abusers should face criminal charges
Finally, an end to this
A sad life for this beautiful animal.
REST IN SWEET PEACE TOM. 🙁 🙁
NO LONGER WILL YOUR SOUL BE HELD CAPTIVE <3
PLEASE SEND ALL CAPTIVE ANIMALS, SUCH AS THESE POOR LIONS, TO A CREDIBLE SANCTUARY.
RIP Tom. Please stop all animal cruelty.
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Tom. There is never any reason to put a tiger on display in this manner. The decision to end this practice is good news. However, I do disagree with the statement regarding the Memphis Zoo. The Memphis Zoo is AZA-accredited. AZA accreditation includes a requirement to have wildlife conservation programs. The new Tom in the zoo will be a great ambassador for his/her wild counterparts.
Please stop all abuse of any animals.
Finally. It’s about time this cruel practice ended 🐯🐯🐯.
Don’t Americans know that tigers must be in jungles and not in soccer fields.? The poor animal died of stress and cruel treatment by its owners. This is not a circus where animals are displayed. Even today circuses are banned in most sensible countries except for this idiotic Trump’s country. I hope this practice is never put into effect again. That’s why I say Americans are dumb.
U OF MEMPHIS IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR NOT TORTURING THESE ANIMALS ANYMORE. THEY STILL SHOULD BE DONE EXACTLY THE SAME WAY THESE ANIMALS WERE TREATED FOR THE YEARS . SHAME ON THESE NON-CHRISTIAN MONSTERS. A KIND ACT NOW DOES NOT MAKE UP FOR THEIR PAST EVIL DEEDS.
U OF MEMPHIS IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR NOT TORTURING THESE ANIMALS ANYMORE. THEY STILL SHOULD BE DONE EXACTLY THE SAME WAY THESE ANIMALS WERE TREATED FOR THE YEARS . SHAME ON THESE NON-CHRISTIAN MONSTERS. A KIND ACT NOW DOES NOT MAKE UP FOR THEIR PAST EVIL DEEDS.
U OF MEMPHIS IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR NOT TORTURING THESE ANIMALS ANYMORE. THEY STILL SHOULD BE DONE EXACTLY THE SAME WAY THESE ANIMALS WERE TREATED FOR THE YEARS . SHAME ON THESE NON-CHRISTIAN MONSTERS. A KIND ACT NOW DOES NOT MAKE UP FOR THEIR PAST EVIL DEEDS.
U OF MEMPHIS IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR NOT TORTURING THESE ANIMALS ANYMORE. THEY STILL SHOULD BE DONE EXACTLY THE SAME WAY THESE ANIMALS WERE TREATED FOR THE YEARS . SHAME ON THESE NON-CHRISTIAN MONSTERS. A KIND ACT NOW DOES NOT MAKE UP FOR THEIR PAST EVIL DEEDS.
This is a shameful case. The university should lose its status. Ignorant people.
Let me get this straight- the University of Memphis is keeping a live tiger, but not taking it to games? What kind of hogwash is this? It’s nonsensical to keep a tiger in captivity for no reason. I’m ashamed of this university.
SITS ABOUT TIME
I want a law put in place and all officials made to follow through with on Animal Cruelty these Evil Heartless brings MUST be permanently removed from any and all societies , made to endure the hell they put their victims through , if they live they must spend the rest of their lives in the science laboratories – these people are not stable enough to be amongst people let alone other animals ! I am through with the animals upon this earth suffering due to mankind and the evilness that lives within them!
Did they finally found their compassion and hearts in the death of this poor tiger or because of the constant public attack? Even after the end of animal suffering in their future, they are still guilty of greed and cruelty beyond redemption.
As long as there is WANTON CRUELTY FROM MAN in this world, it will never change or evolve to a beautiful planet where all God’s creatures can live in peace and enjoy HIS CREATION! “HUMAN BEINGS”! Stop pretending and fooling yourselves IN BELIEVING THAT YOU ARE ANYTHING WORTHWHILE! You ARE STILL NOTHING MORE THAN NEANDERTHALS WEARING SUITS TO YOUR OFFICES, NEVER, MOST OF YOU, THINKING ABOUT WHAT GOES ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS OF THE SLAUGHTERHOUSES WHO FEED YOU WITH THEIR BLOOD AND GUTS! YOU EAT SENTIENT BEINGS PAIN AND AGONY! Perhaps that is why, most will continue to die from fatal diseases! Think about that!
Am not surprised at the untimely death of the mascot. No tiger (or any other wild animal) should be used like that again.
The only good thing about this is Tom I, II and III are all now with God and free, happy and in peace. No thanks to these selfish, immature, evil people SMH
Well…TOO LATE for too many caged. exploited animals!
Soulless, cruel, greedy perpetrators thrown in jail for 30 years without bond or bail !
Well…TOO LATE for too many caged. exploited animals!
Soulless, cruel, greedy perpetrators thrown in jail for 30 years without bond or bail !