Ten tigers rescued from a truck: at the Amiens Court of Appeal, we face the convicted trainer
In December 2020, following a lengthy investigation by One Voice, ten tigers were seized from trainer Mario Masson and transferred to a shelter under police escort. The man, who kept these animals in a truck from which they were rarely allowed to leave, was convicted in 2022. He has appealed this historic ruling. On Monday, October 6, at 1:30 p.m., we will be present at the Amiens Court of Appeal to once again defend those he mistreated.
In February 2020, we filmed the final images of an investigation which lasted more than a year in Picardy, and for which we took immense risks. The ten tigers that our investigators observed for dozens of hours lived locked in a cage truck all the time, in pouring rain and scorching heat alike. Without any enrichment, crammed together, fighting for enough water and food… they lived in hell, only coming out for a few brutal shows, notably at Parc Saint Paul.
Finally seized and placed in a sanctuary
In December 2020, after repeated alerts to the authorities, Rani, Tim, Leo, Tara, Yma, Oona, Dian, Ashley, Lily, and Douglas were released from their cages in the largest seizure of captive tigers in Europe in the last ten years. We had everything planned: a veterinarian, transport, and arrival at Tonga Terre d’Accueil. The threats from Mario Masson and his circus colleagues did not change anything: one month after receiving first aid at our partner sanctuary, the tigers finally discovered the joy of running and rolling around in the grass.
A landmark verdict
On September 20, 2022, Mario Masson appeared before the Beauvais legal tribunal on no fewer than twelve charges. A few weeks later, he was found guilty of animal abuse, with the aggravating circumstance of being a professional. This was a historic first in France. And that’s not all, as the trainer was also found guilty of illegal exploitation, illegal acquisition and sale of animals, labor law violations, and fraud. The tribunal banned him from engaging in any activity involving animals for two years, along with a two-year ineligibility period and a fine. This tribunal decision is as exemplary as it is necessary.
Almost five years after the rescue of the big cats and three years after the first instance judgment against their tormentor, we will be present at the Amiens Court of Appeal on October 6 at 1:30 p.m. to request a verdict that is just as firm as the first.