LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / July 19, 2000

NEW SARPY – The stench reeked through the neighborhood in the 400 block of West Easy Street, prompting neighbors to complain to the trailer’s owner, who called police Monday morning.

When authorities entered the dilapidated trailer residence rented by Elena Bodner, 53, hundreds of cockroaches scattered.

Capt. Patrick Yoes reported that living in the reek of animal waste androtted food were 12 dogs, 18 cats, four cockateils, one parrot and a dove.

The birds were in cages fouled to several inches by their own wastes.

Some of the animals were diseased, and several were later euthanized.

The birds were taken in by a neighbor.

Animal control officer Lee Anne Matherne said eight of the dogs and four of the cats had to be immediately put down, as they were ravaged by disease. The remainder of the dogs and cats are at the animal shelter nearthe Hale Boggs Bridge in Luling, hoping for adoption.

“They’re as sweet as could be,” Matherne said, in making an appeal for people to adopt the victimized animals. “They deserve better.”Bodner, who was living in a motel while working in a sandwich shop, was located and charged with 36 counts of cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor.

Her charges were later amended by 29th Judicial District Judge Emile St.

Pierre to be concurrent. This allowed her to post bond on $1,000, ratherthan $36,000, and she was released upon posting 10 percent.

Yoes said Bodner told investigators she was overwhelmed by the sheer number of animals but was unable to provide homes for them, so she moved out a few weeks ago and visited them daily and gave them food.

“She was feeding the roaches more than anything,” Matherne said, adding Bodner said people kept “dumping” the animals on her and she didn’t know where to turn.

“One phone call would’ve helped her out,” said Matherne.

Authorities found no water in the overheated trailer. The electricity hadbeen cut off and the animals had been apparently drinking from the toilet as temperatures outside topped 100 degrees.

To contact the St. Charles Animal Shelter, call 783-5010.

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