Harlan Kirgan
There were no quick solutions for the loose horses and donkeys plaguing Dr. John Rainey’s property when he asked the St. Landry Parish Council for help.
“For the the past four months I’ve had my neighbor’s horses and donkeys come in on my property,” Rainey said at Wednesday’s Council meeting.
“During the winter that wasn’t a big problem. I would go to talk to him and he would promise to fix the fence,” he said.
But when spring arrived the animals, among other things, ate the peaches off his peach trees and defecated on his patio, he said.
Rainey said he has 25 acres of grass on the property near Cankton and the horses are on the property daily.
Rainey said he has called the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office seven times over three weeks.
The deputies have told the neighbor to get his fence fixed, Rainey said.
Sheriff Bobby Guidroz was contacted the sheriff got in in contact with parish animal control, he said.
“Every time I call animal control nobody answers the phone,” Rainey said.
Afterwards, an animal control officer showed up in a pickup truck with a dog box in the rear, he said.
“He went and talked to the individual” and showed him where thee fence needed fixing, he said.
“Within 36 hours they were back on the property,” he said of the animals.
“I just want the horses taken care,” Rainey said. “If animal control can’t take care of it, who can?”
Parish President Bill Fontenot said, “I do have your phone number. May I call and we will strategize on how to approach it?”
The horses and donkeys can be picked up if they are found on Rainey’s property, Fontenot said.
Rainey said a deputy told him if he has photos of the animals on his property that can be the basis to pick the horses and donkeys up.
And, Rainey said he has about 20 photos of the animals on his property.
Councilman Easton Shelvin suggested Rainey put a fence.
“I don’t think I need to put up a $5,000 fence,” Rainey replied.
After a suggestion Rainey take legal action, Rainey said that would be pointless.
“If you saw this, his front door on his trailer is not on,” he said.
Jerry Red, Council chairman, in the final words on the issue, said Fontenot should do whatever has to be done to solve the problem.