David Marcantel, Special Projects Officer for Calcasieu Parish Animal Services, addressed the Vinton City Council at their April Meeting and shared news about ordinances that will affect citizens parishwide.

After council member Harold Douga brought up the numerous calls the city has received regarding at-large animals, Marcantel explained the state of Animal Services patrols within the city limits.

"We patrol from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. and after that, only for bites. We respond to animal control calls in Vinton as part of the cooperative agreement between the city and the parish. After a call comes in, officers are dispatched by computer to the scene. Because it can take time to get to the scene, often the [animal] has been leashed or caged up again by the time the animal control officer arrives, leading to more frustration, by those who report it."

"However, if two neighbors are willing to put in writing that the animal was at large, then officers will follow up on it. We will work to handle the situation as best as possible. With the addition of a new hire, we will be able to increase patrols within the city limits," Marcantel said.

A newly adopted ordinance by both the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and the City of Lake Charles maintains that animals that have been charged with two unprovoked bites in the same year will be deemed a "dangerous dog," or a "vicious dog" according to state ordinances and must be destroyed if another bite happens.

Dangerous dogs, however, now have strict confinement laws. After the second bite, the dog will be put into quarantine at the Animal Services office for ten days. Before he is released, the owner will have to show plans for confinement that must be physically inspected by officers. The pen must be at least 6 feet by 6 feet and made out of nine-gauge or better wire, with a concrete floor at least twelve inches deep with a secure top. The animal will only be allowed out of the cage to go to the veterinarian or while the cage is being cleaned, and must be on a leash and muzzled.
Marcantel explained that at last check, there had only been four calls from Vinton in the past two weeks, but he hopes to increase awareness.

"You have options, you have officers here to help you. Call 337-721-3730 if you have an animal concern."