ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / August 26, 2000

LAPLACE – Pet owners in St. John the Baptist Parish could be affected bylegislation being introduced to the parish council.

A recent arrest for aggravated animal cruelty has prompted the St. JohnParish Animal Control Advisory Board to take action.

Board Chairperson Kay Durr said she will introduce an ordinance at the next parish council meeting that would prohibit any person who has been convicted of simple or aggravated cruelty to animals from ever owning or purchasing a pet.

“We have talked to the state attorney general’s office,” said Durr, “and they said we can do this within the parish.”The incident that sparked the board’s concern occurred Aug. 10 whenDarnell Randle, 21, 3020 Essex, LaPlace, was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.

Melissa Vial, kennelmaster for the St. John the Baptist Parish AnimalShelter, called it the “worst thing I’ve ever seen done to an animal.”According to the police reports, deputies were called to the 3000 block of Cambridge Drive because of complaints of animal cruelty. When deputiesarrived they found Randle dragging the dog by a 25-pound chain that was wrapped around the dog’s neck.

The dog was laying on its side, panting heavily and bleeding from its paws.

Despite the dog’s collapse, Randle was still dragging the dog behind him as he walked down the street.

Vial rushed the dog to the Riverlands Animal Hospital for treatment.

Veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Garon said the dog was suffering from heatstroke. It had a body temperature in excess of 108 degrees, and its pawswere bleeding from burns that resulted from walking and running on the hot asphalt. Vial thinks the dog was trying not to be pulled by Randle andas a result lacerated its paws on the ground.

“He was exposed to very high temperatures,” Vial said. “A white pit bull islike an albino and is very, very sensitive to the sun and heat.”Despite efforts by Garon and her staff, the dog had a seizure and died. Theofficial cause of death was heat stroke.

“He had a seizure because his brain was overheated,” said Vial. “This isvery, very sad.”Randle stayed in jail four days and was released on $350 cash bond.

According to the law, if Randle is found guilty, he could spend up to 10 years in prison.

Durr and Vial are hoping that the council passes the ordinance. Vial saidthat people like Randle should never be allowed to own animals. She saidthat animal abusers do not limit their rage to animals and can later be a danger to others.

“It is a proven fact that animal abusers will also end up harming human beings,” said Vial.

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