A panel of volunteers appointed by the Point Coupee Police Jury has recommended breed-specific changes to the Parish’s animal control ordinance, which it will consider at its meeting on May 25. The American Kennel Club strongly opposes breed-specific legislation, and encourages all Point Coupee residents to contact the members of the Parish’s Police Jury listed below and respectfully express your opposition to the proposal.
Under the proposal, owners of “Pit Bulls”, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, and Akitas must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Not be a convicted felon
- Have proof of vaccinations for their dog
- Pay a one-time $50 licensing fee
- Muzzle their dog when dogs are not on owner’s property
- Microchip dogs
- Keep dogs within the owner’s home or behind chain link, wooden, or electronic fencing.
The American Kennel Club’s position on dangerous dog control legislation is clear—we support reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory laws to govern the ownership of all dogs, regardless of breed. We support laws that: establish a fair process by which specific dogs are identified as “dangerous” based on stated, measureable actions; impose appropriate penalties on irresponsible owners; and establish a well-defined method for dealing with dogs proven to be dangerous. The American Kennel Club strongly opposes any legislation that determines a dog to be “dangerous” based on specific breeds or phenotypic classes of dogs.
Breed-specific legislation is an ineffective solution to animal control problems because it fails to address the heart of the issue—irresponsible ownership. Responsible owners of targeted breeds who are already complying with local animal control laws will be punished by breed-specific local ordinances. As a result, many well-behaved dogs will be relinquished and needlessly euthanized, all at a significant cost to the Parish. Meanwhile, irresponsible dog owners will continue to make problems for their communities regardless of whether or not they own a dog targeted by breed-specific laws. (Scroll down for more resources and information on breed-specific legislation.)
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
All Point Coupee residents are encouraged to contact the members of the Parish’s Police Jury, which will consider the breed-specific law on May 25. Respectfully but strongly express your opposition to the proposal, and urge them to vote against it.
Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury
P.O. Box 290
New Roads, Louisiana 70760
(225) 638-9556
Fax (225) 638-5555
Email address: jbello@pcpolicejury.org
Mrs. Melanie Bueche, Policy Jury President
11850 Hwy 416
Lakeland, LA 70752
(225) 627-4055
Mr. Allen Monk
P.O. Box 285
Batchelor, LA 70715
(225) 492-3704
Mr. John Pourciau
3768 La. Hwy. 419W
Batchelor, LA 70715
(225) 492-2701
Mr. Russell Young
9005 Mandela Drive
New Roads, LA 70760
(225) 638-3941
Mr. Glenn Ray Cline
14110 Chenal Road
Jarreau, LA 70749
(225) 627-9511
Mr. Willie Olinde
P.O. Box 256
Ventress, LA 70783
(225) 638-8726
Mr. Albert Dukes
8979 Rodney Drive
New Roads, LA 70760
(225) 638-3383
Mr. Cornell Dukes
309 Railroad Street
New Roads, LA 70760
(225) 638-8778
Mrs. Janet Vosburg
9431 False River Road
New Roads, LA 70760
(225) 638-8328
Mr. Kurt Jarreau
P. O. Box 383
Livonia, LA 70755
(225) 637-2540
Mr. Joseph Bergeron, Sr.
P. O. Box 90
Fordoche, LA 70732
(225) 637-3486
Mr. Clifford Nelson
P. O. Box 336
Ventress, LA 70783
(225) 638-3589
RESOURCES:
- Read AKC talking points on breed-specific legislation.
- Read AKC article “Why Breed-Specific Legislation Doesn’t Work”
- Click here to download AKC’s “Deed, Not Breed” flyer.
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
A panel of volunteers appointed by the Point Coupee Police Jury has recommended breed-specific…