An influx of 28 dogs seized from an alleged dog-fighting operation in Folsom has pushed the St. Tammany Parish Animal Shelter beyond its critical capacity limits and prompted the shelter to issue a “mayday” for help.
Authorities seized the dogs — mostly pit bulls — and arrested a mother and son last week in connection with what the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office said was a training facility for dog fighting.
Not only were the dogs severely malnourished, according to the Sheriff’s Office, they’re aggressive and can’t be housed with other dogs, said St. Tammany Parish Animal Services Director Rob Bremer.
The seized dogs won’t be adopted out. But they have created a critical space shortage at the Lacombe shelter, he said.
Bremer said the no-kill shelter has a 120-dog capacity, but typically houses many more than that. “We’re already sitting at 155-160 per month, which is manageable,” he said.
But the additional dog have tipped the balance, he said. “We had to shut down an entire kennel (to house the confiscated dogs),” Bremer said.
The shelter posted urgent Facebook messages seeking people interested in adopting or fostering. Like during other “maydays” the shelter has issued in the past, adoption fees are being waived for the time being to spur additional interest, Bremer said.
“We always have animals for adoption but occasionally we get pushed to the brink,” he added. “We’re always one confiscation away from being tipped over the balance.”
Anyone interested can visit the shelter’s website, which has information on adoptions as well as photos of available pets. The shelter can also be contacted at 985-809-0183.
In a news release, the sheriff’s office said a nearby resident flagged a deputy down on May 12 to report a case of possible animal abuse in the 12000 block of South Hay Hollow Road. Deputies found the 28 dogs, most which appeared to be pit bulls, the sheriff’s office said, as well as training equipment and medicine often associated with dog fighting.
Bremer was uncertain what will ultimately happen with the confiscated dogs as their owners’ case makes its way through the legal system. The dogs can’t be adopted out, he said.
“But we still have to provide care for them,” he said.
“It’s not their fault,” Bremer added about the confiscated dogs. “That’s the worst thing about it.”
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