MASSILLON —After 41 years of guarding the sideline, tackling footballs and working on his roar, Obie — Massillon’s live tiger mascot — could be sidelined for good.

“It would be a shame if we got rid of Obie,” said Bob Hollender, a member of the Tiger Booster Club and a 29-year veteran of the Obie Crew. “This tradition has gone on for 41 years now. Forty-one years. There will be a lot of unhappy people in Massillon if we can’t get a new baby Obie.”

This fall, Gov. Ted Strickland plans to sign an executive order that could prevent any future live tiger mascots in Massillon. The new law would be the result of an agreement reached recently with the Humane Society of the United States and organizations representing the care of livestock and agriculture in Ohio.

The rules are designed to protect the welfare of animals by stepping up the standards of care and, while they focus on livestock and poultry, one component does ban the sale and purchase of exotic animals or keeping those animals as pets.

“The purpose of the agreement,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of the Humane Society, “is to stop the flow of dangerous, wild animals in the pet trade for keeping by people ill-equipped to care for them ...”

WebFire;421118 wrote:Can't they find a tiger owner that they could set up a deal with to bring him to the games?

coyotes22;421155 wrote: maybe McKinley should have to get rid of their mutts on the sidelines also!!!

Strapping Young Lad;421253 wrote:Animals such as tigers are shown to be stressed when living in captivity.

FairwoodKing;421565 wrote:I remember many years ago when I was band announcer for the Big Red Band. We played at Massillon. Instead of putting me in the press box like all other stadiums did, the Massillon people had me use a standing microphone on about the 30 yard line. Obie was on the 25 yard line unattended. The whole time I announced, he never stopped growling at me. He looked at me very hungrily. I was concerned as to how secure that cage was. I was glad to get the announcements over with so I could get the hell out of there!

FairwoodKing;421565 wrote:I remember many years ago when I was band announcer for the Big Red Band. We played at Massillon. Instead of putting me in the press box like all other stadiums did, the Massillon people had me use a standing microphone on about the 30 yard line. Obie was on the 25 yard line unattended. The whole time I announced, he never stopped growling at me. He looked at me very hungrily. I was concerned as to how secure that cage was. I was glad to get the announcements over with so I could get the hell out of there!

FairwoodKing;421565 wrote:I remember many years ago when I was band announcer for the Big Red Band. We played at Massillon. Instead of putting me in the press box like all other stadiums did, the Massillon people had me use a standing microphone on about the 30 yard line. Obie was on the 25 yard line unattended. The whole time I announced, he never stopped growling at me. He looked at me very hungrily. I was concerned as to how secure that cage was. I was glad to get the announcements over with so I could get the hell out of there!

skank;423825 wrote:I haven't read it yet, but I guess in the Independent (Massillon's paper), today, The bill was signed, but with an exemption for HS and College mascots. So....if what I was told is true, Obie should be around for a long long time. Stump Hill Farm on the other hand, I don't know. Massillon may have to look into another source for it's Tigers.

Tiernan;428940 wrote:At least Obie has a leg up on most of the rest of Massillon's fans...he has a job!

Tiernan;428940 wrote:At least Obie has a leg up on most of the rest of Massillon's fans...he has a job!

skank;429211 wrote:Why the ill feelings toward Massillon? Did they kick your teams anus that bad? Did someone from here steal your girlfriend? Your mom? What? Fill us in.

Tiernan;429762 wrote:I love it Skank...a cross over slam from another thread...and to answer your question... "yes" my ex-wife and all her neanderthal relatives live in the Can-Mass-Orr triplex and I basically hate the entire stinkin' area.