Subject: Louisiana BSL WRKSHP APRIL 12 at 2pm
Content: Beauregard Parish to host workshop on vicious dogs (Louisiana) By HATTIE SHERRICK-BURTON Staff Writer The Beauregard Parish Police Jury will host a workshop next month in which the jury will join with the public and representatives from the Humane Society and other local entities to discuss recent concerns raised regarding potentially vicious dog breeds. The workshop will take place in the Police Jury meeting room in the new adminstration building on Tuesday, March 4 at 3 p.m. The public is invited to attend, make suggestions and express concerns. “We are trying to come up with ways to better protect the people,” said Police Jury Legislative Committee Chairman Carlos Archield. The workshop comes about in light of the recent death of Kelli Chapman, 24 of Longville, who was reported to have been mauled in her home by her two pit bulls. The Legislative Committee met last week to begin discussing their options for preventing such events from occurring again. They discussed the recent rise in complaints from parish residents about “roaming dogs,” and residents concerns over the presence of breeds classified as “vicious.” Suggestions by committee members included requiring owners of certain breeds to register the animals with the city or parish, to hold liability insurance coverage on each of the dogs, and to place muzzles on the dogs when taking them outside the home, among other suggestions. Concerned citizens were in attendance at Tuesday evening’s regular meeting of the Police Jury, including Jane Tuck of DeRidder, who shows English Bull Dogs and was once a victim of a dog attack herself. Tuck spoke to the jury and suggested that the problem lies in irresponsible ownership, and not in any particular breed of dog. “I think we need more responsible owners,” said Tuck, who went on to say that the suggested requirements would do little to solve the problem. “Targetting drug dealers and dog fighters would be to target the right people.” Tuck suggested requiring owners to get their dogs microchipped so that they may be identified in the event of a problem, and enforcing fines upon owners who break rules. The jury invites parish residents with questions, concerns or suggestions to attend the workshop, and will readdress the issue at a future meeting. “We want to make the decision that’s right for the parish,” said Police Jury Vice President Jerry Shirley. The jury will also host an orientation open to the public in April, where local officials will be on hand to answer questions from the public on a wide range of topics from building codes to the role of constables in the parish. Representatives from IESI Waste services, animal control and many others will be available to assist the public. The event will take place on April 12 at 2 p.m. at the War Memorial Civic Center in DeRidder. http://www.deridderdailynews.com/art...news/news1.txt
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