PRESS RELEASE

LA/SPCA Sees Surge in Roaming Pets

NEW ORLEANS (03/04/06) – The Louisiana SPCA has seen a recent spike in the number of owned animals roaming free as neighborhoods become more populated. For the protection of both the animals and citizens, the LA/SPCA is reminding people to leash their pets.

Laura Maloney, LA/SPCA Executive Director, said her humane officers have noted a surge in dogs roaming at-large. Maloney believes that the incidents are attributed to three factors:

• Residents are still dealing with downed fences and dogs are getting out of yards

• Out-of-area contractors are bringing their pets to work and their dogs are breaking away

• Residents are allowing dogs to walk themselves. In many cases, humane officers have been returning dogs with identification, at the time of pickup, to their owners on the first offense. Repeat offenders are being issued a citation in compliance with city ordinances. The city ordinance dictates that dogs unleashed must be contained in a safe enclosure. Dogs that are properly licensed and vaccinated may be allowed outside of an enclosure if they are kept on a secure leash and accompanied by its owner or guardian.

Any dog that is found roaming-at-large can be impounded and the owner or guardian cited. Dogs who roam present a danger to the public and the animal may be in danger of being hit by a car, being attacked by another animal or being abused by strangers. An animal that is impounded is done so to protect him and the public.

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