Chataignier Council raises fine for nuisance dogs

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The Chataignier Council, on Monday, voted to adopt an amendment to its existing dog/nuisance ordinance. The amendment was introduced during last month’s meeting and was passed following a public hearing.
Village Clerk Laken Fontenot explained the only change is an increase in the fine from the current $5 to a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $500.
“Dogs are a nuisance,” Mayor Justin Darbonne said. “If they are off the owner’s property and become a nuisance to everybody else in town, then that owner will be fined. If it keeps on, then we will go all the way to $500 if we have to. We have too many stray dogs in town. That needs to be stopped.”
The residents of Chataignier are urged to report lose dogs to the mayor or council members, but the owner of the dogs must be known for the ordinance to be enforced.
“Unless you know who owns the dog and they admit to owning it, you’re going to have a hard time doing anything with the dog,” said village administrator and police officer Gail McDavid.
Darbonne, to that point, stated he is working with the City of Ville Platte and the parish to find a place to bring stray dogs from Chataignier.
The council then heard from a concerned resident, Mark Fontenot, about who to call to report a disturbance after a recent incident in the village.
“If you have a problem,” McDavid answered, “you have to call 911. They will first call Clint (Brasseaux, the village’s police chief). If he’s asleep, they’re supposed to call the number two man Caleb (Aymond). If they can’t get him, I’m the last resort. I’m not supposed to respond to a call from a citizen. It has to go through 911.”
Fontenot then spoke out against the village’s drug problem. “They got a lot of dope and methamphetamine in Chataignier,” he said. “We need to get rid of that because that’s going to destroy our children.”
Darbonne replied, “We will get that addressed.”