St. Landry animal control supervisor urges police jury to provide rural shelter

A St. Landry Parish Animal Control supervisor urged the Evangeline Parish Police Jury to provide an animal shelter for small animals retrieved in rural areas of the parish, during the police jury’s monthly committee meeting session Tuesday, September 2.
Erica Ponthier said a shelter for stray small animals would not have to cost much, after juror Lamar Johnson pointed out the parish has been asked in the past to construct a shelter costing at least $100,000.
Ponthier said the shelter would just need a concrete slab, perhaps 40 feet by 60 feet, with a roof and 15 or 20 kennels. She said a tarp could be used to cover the sides during the winter, with a source of heat in the shelter. She also said the parish could seek grants available through ASPCA or other sources to pay for construction of an animal shelter.
Ryan Ardoin, police jury president, said the parish consults with a committee that includes a veterinarian on animal control issues. Juror Bryan Vidrine asked Ponthier to provide the police jury with St. Lanry Animal Control’s operating budget so the police jury can see what kind of financing is involved with operating an animal control shelter. Ponthier said the St. Landry Animal Control operates under that parish’s health department.
The police jury heard a presentation by John Wolford with C&L Aqua Pro concerning the state’s new mandate that certain businesses and industries have back-flow mechanisms that can prevent toxic substances from contaminating public fresh water distribution systems.
The parish passed an ordinance late last year requiring the back-flow devices, and is in the process of informing businesses in the parish that must install the devices of the requirement. Eight businesses in the parish are affected by the state requirement.
Wolford submitted a bid from C&L Aqua Pro for installing and providing annual inspections of the back-flow devices. He also offered the police jury information about other companies that provide the service.
The police jury also heard from the Evangeline Parish Industrial Development Board chairman, Dr. Tojo Ward. He told the jurors the seven-parish Acadiana Economic Development Council presented the Ville Platte Iron Works with the 2014 Honor of Merit Award.
Ward said the Ville Platte Iron Works has increased its workforce from 14 employees in 2009 to 82 today.