For several weeks, stories about a man with a tiger cub have circulated throughout campus and Baton Rouge.
People excitedly have told about sightings of the cuddly cub. They might not have been sure why the man had a tiger, but they were glad to see it.
The cub – named Faith – belongs to Dilan Landry, president of Tiger Habitats of America.
Landry said the purpose of Tiger Habitats of America is to educate the general public on the dangers – to both humans and animals – of having tigers as pets. He hopes to build a tiger refuge near Mandeville to place “retired” pet tigers.
“Our goal is to outlaw having tigers as pets and to rescue them to be put into our habitat,” Landry said.
Landry and his feline friend have visited the chancellor’s office, the University Lab School, restaurants and churches.
Individuals and organizations have given money to Tiger Habitats of America to have their photographs taken with Faith.
Landry said when he initially began taking Faith to functions and collecting money, his intentions were to work with the “I Like Mike” campaign to help raise money to build a larger habitat for Mike.
“Our goal was to donate a portion of proceeds to Mike and later to donate two tigers when the new habitat is built,” he said. “Then [we could] retire Mike to our habitat.”
Larkin Harris, a University alumnus and youth minister at University Baptist Church, gave a donation to Tiger Habitats of America when Landry visited his church Oct. 12.
Children and University students enthusiastically stood in line as they waited their turns to pet and take pictures with Faith.
Harris was glad the children he ministers to were able to take part in the unique experience.
“You can’t go to a zoo and pet a tiger,” he said.
But Delaine Emmert, chairwoman for “I Like Mike,” said Landry is not affiliated with the University.
“As of this date, we haven’t received any money for Mike,” she said.
Landry did not give many details about the Tiger Habitats of America tiger refuge, which he said will be about 5,000 square acres.
A Web site for the organization with a detailed explanation could not be located.
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, for a large cat to be exhibited, the owner must have an exhibitor license. The USDA defines exhibiting as having the animal in open sight, transporting it to show to people and having people take pictures with it.
Landry would not share his exhibitor license number.
“I don’t give that to the public because people like PETA can get my address, and they think animals should be dead rather than under the control of humans,” he said.
The aim of PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – is to stop animal suffering in laboratories, farms, the fur industry and circuses, according to its Web site.
The USDA had no record of Tiger Habitats of America or Landry’s license, said Jim Rogers, a public affairs specialist with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
APHIS manages the animal welfare services for the USDA.
“The name Dillon Landry doesn’t show up, and Tiger Habitats of America doesn’t show up,” Rogers said.