A man has been cited for animal cruelty after a video showed him abandoning two dogs just half a mile from the Jennings Animal Shelter in Jennings, Louisiana. The incident occurred on Isabelle Street, where the shelter staff had previously offered assistance to the man when he brought the dogs in. Instead of leaving them in the shelter's care, he chose to drive away and leave the dogs behind.
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Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes noted that the road to the shelter is clearly marked, indicating that abandoning animals is a criminal offense. An animal control officer spent over three hours attempting to capture the two abandoned dogs. Semmes highlighted that this incident is part of a broader and ongoing problem of animal abandonment in the area.
Amy Smith from 36 Deep South Dog Rescue reported that the organization frequently takes in dumped animals. One case involved a dog named Kansas, who had been covered in motor oil, was hairless, and had multiple injuries. Although Kansas has since recovered, Smith emphasized that no pet should endure such suffering. She called for stronger measures to hold individuals accountable for abandoning animals, warning that without these changes, the issue will persist.
The man captured in the video has been identified and faces two counts of animal cruelty. Semmes warned others against similar actions, stating, "Don’t just dump it on the side of the road, thinking that we’ll take care of it at a later time. It’s a criminal violation, and you will be charged." Under Louisiana law, the penalties for abandoning a pet can include a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both, along with mandatory community service.