Harlan Kirgan
he case of Dr. Drip, a former champion racehorse discovered in horrible condition and euthanized on June 21, was brought to the St. Landry Parish Council.
Agnes Courville, of Opelousas, asked the Council to look at its ordinance dealing with animal abuse. Fines for abuse range from $25 to $100.
Bill Fontenot, parish president, said Parish Government is working with the sheriff and district attorney on the incident. State laws may be involved stiffer penalties, he said.
One person, Jermaine Dwayne Doucet Jr., 18, of Opelousas, was charged in the Dr. Drip case.
Courville said there are other people involved in the abuse case.
But Courville’s message about the case seemed to be that “...everybody should stand up and try to find a solution.”
Courville also complained that the Parish Government website is not being kept up-to-date on meeting agendas.
Fontenot said the parish shelters are “one of the best shelters.”
In the past two and half years, the kill rate for animals in the shelter have gone for 90 percent to about 20 percent, he said.
“I welcome animal advocates speaking out,” he said.
Council member Timmy Lejeune said the parish’s fine structure is “pretty cheap to kill a beautiful animal.”
The Parish Council voted to have Fontenot invite the state veterinarian to a meeting.
Courville said an online petition demanding action by the sheriff, district attorney and parish president on animal cruelty cases has about 250,000 signers.