This week, Irvine & Conner and Animal Legal Defense Fund served Houston’s Downtown Aquarium and Landry’s Inc. with a notice of intent to sue for violations of the Endangered Species Act. The notice alleges harm and harassment to a federally listed species: four tigers, who are kept in unlawful conditions at the Aquarium. In the notice, the Animal Legal Defense Fund reiterates its previous offer to relocate the tigers to a reputable, accredited sanctuary at no cost to Landry’s. If Landry’s declines this offer, Irvine & Conner’s clients intend to proceed with litigation after 60 days.
ALDF’s press release is available here.
(Photo Credit: Cheryl Conley)
Media coverage:
KHOU: (Video) Downtown Aquarium tiger exhibit at the center of a legal battle
Houston Chronicle: Animal rights group threatens to sue Landry’s over tigers at Downtown Aquarium (PDF)
The Telegraph UK: White tigers haven’t felt the sun in 12 years after being kept in an aquarium (PDF)
People.com: White Tigers at Houston’s Aquarium Allegedly Haven’t Been Outside in 12 Years
The Dodo: White Tigers Stuck in Aquarium Haven’t Felt the Sun in 12 Years
ABC-Denver7: Downtown Aquarium owners, Landry’s, facing possible lawsuit over tigers at Houston location
Eater Houston: Landry’s Restaurants Under Fire for Allegedly Mistreating White Tigers
Culturemap: Landry’s rare white Bengal tigers focus of legal dispute between billionaire and animal activists