Community Holds Animal Welfare Meeting in Monroe
By: Nina Criscuolo
Updated: January 18, 2013
Dozens of Northeast Louisiana animal lovers gather to discuss how to improve animal welfare in the area, especially in the City of Monroe.
"This is something that's been going on in our community for a long time," says Anna Dunn to the nearly forty people gathered on ULM's campus Thursday night. They're fighting for the humane treatment of animals and for them it's not just an interest, it's a passion.
"This is a huge, big important issue."
Folks representing several parishes are speaking up for animals. Many live in Monroe, where the animal control officer position has been vacant for months.
"We're concerned about our rights as citizens. Is it ok to go on a property if animals are left behind? That's one thing that happens all the time," says Ginger Padgett.
She hopes the city find a person who is compassionate toward animals. Now this group wants to be involved with hiring process.
"I know that there's enough of us in this community to make our voices heard," says Dunn.
She believes more community meeting and a heavier presence at city council meetings is how to turn up the volume. And District One Councilman Ray Armstrong says he'll serve as the mega-phone.
"Look and see what other people have done to see what's reasonable for our area to do and to work with the police and the administration to do that. If it involves ordinances, I believe we can develop the proper ordinances and laws to do that and I'll bring them up," says Armstrong.
And while Monroe Police Chief Quentin Holmes says he was not invited to attend this meeting, the group says they want to work with him on developing ways to better enforce the laws already on the books.
"We just want to do the right thing. And the right thing is, regardless of if you're an animal lover or whatever your passion is, these animals, they need a voice to speak for them," says Padgett.
"This is something that's been going on in our community for a long time," says Anna Dunn to the nearly forty people gathered on ULM's campus Thursday night. They're fighting for the humane treatment of animals and for them it's not just an interest, it's a passion.
"This is a huge, big important issue."
Folks representing several parishes are speaking up for animals. Many live in Monroe, where the animal control officer position has been vacant for months.
"We're concerned about our rights as citizens. Is it ok to go on a property if animals are left behind? That's one thing that happens all the time," says Ginger Padgett.
She hopes the city find a person who is compassionate toward animals. Now this group wants to be involved with hiring process.
"I know that there's enough of us in this community to make our voices heard," says Dunn.
She believes more community meeting and a heavier presence at city council meetings is how to turn up the volume. And District One Councilman Ray Armstrong says he'll serve as the mega-phone.
"Look and see what other people have done to see what's reasonable for our area to do and to work with the police and the administration to do that. If it involves ordinances, I believe we can develop the proper ordinances and laws to do that and I'll bring them up," says Armstrong.
And while Monroe Police Chief Quentin Holmes says he was not invited to attend this meeting, the group says they want to work with him on developing ways to better enforce the laws already on the books.
"We just want to do the right thing. And the right thing is, regardless of if you're an animal lover or whatever your passion is, these animals, they need a voice to speak for them," says Padgett.
Comments
So.....if he was not invited then how can it be a ridiculous statement?? You are all butthurt because you did not get invited to be on some board. The funny part to me is that the vast majority of the people who do the most yelling have the smallest number or NO rescues at their home. We have north of ten. So get your undergarments out of a bunch and come up with a solution instead of just yelling how you were not invited!
Franklin J.
January 18, 2013 at 4:20 pm
WOW!!!!
The above article states, "Monroe Police Chief Quentin Holmes says he was not invited to attend this meeting". Are you serious Chief Holmes???
Let me elaborate as to why this is such ridiculous statement for Chief Holmes to make. I was one of the MANY concerned citizens that attended THE FIRST meeting held by Chief Holmes regarding the animal welfare issues. At the end of that meeting, Chief Holmes instructed everyone to sign out by writing down their names and email addresses before leaving the building so that his staff could contact us to inform us of the next meeting. Needless to say, the vast majority of the citizens at that first meeting where never contacted again. So, after about 2 weeks of waiting with no response, I called his office to check on the status of the meetings. I was then informed by a staff member that Chief Holmes had already selected those that are to be apart of the ordinance & policy creation process, and those that were not contacted will not be needed.
Now you know my reason as to why I am appalled that a "Chief of Police" would issue such a ridiculous statement. Sorry Chief Holmes, I guess the group considered that you were not needed for their meeting.
Jerry H.
January 18, 2013 at 1:16 am
