Morgan City Council ordinances target stray animals

The Morgan City Council devoted much of its Tuesday meeting to learning about and approving upcoming events, from a rodeo to a breast cancer awareness event to boxing.
But the council also introduced ordinances that continue what’s starting to look like a widespread effort to control stray animals, especially feral cats.
The animal ordinances sound like small-town news. But the problem is being taken seriously.
The Berwick council passed an ordinance Aug. 13 to prohibit the feeding of strays on public or business property. First, council members heard testimony about flea infestations in vehicle carpets and Berwick Elementary classrooms, ripped up flower beds, nasty odors, and even an attack by a stray cat on a town resident.
The Berwick council passed an ordinance that was amended to allow the feeding of strays on residential property, as long as the property’s owner is doing the feeding. The only complaints came from a couple of residents who want the council to take stronger action.
Morgan City’s council introduced three ordinances. The first defines both cats and dogs as animals over three months of ages. A stray is “an unlicensed, domestic or feral cat or dog, running at large and unaccompanied by an owner.”
Feeding is the placing of cat or dog food “which may result in cats or dogs congregating thereon on a regular basis,” whether on the ground or in a feeder.
A second ordinance sets the penalties for feeding a stray or feral cat or dog. A first offense brings a $50 fine, a second offense $100 and a third offense $200.
The third ordinance bans setting out food on residential property as well as publicly accessible land. It would create an exemption for partners of Morgan City government involved in a trap, neuter and release program.
If the ordinances follow the normal course, they’ll come up for a public hearing and passage vote at the council’s Sept. 24 meeting.
Among the upcoming events discussed Tuesday:
—The St. Mary Outreach-United Way’s Pumpkin Patch at the Petting Zoo will be Oct. 21-25. The event takes the form of field trips for local students and includes decorating a pumpkin, feeding the farm animals, games and cookie decorating.
Coordinator Jessica Dubois said 1,400 youngsters visited the Petting Zoo during last year’s Pumpkin Patch.
—Another rodeo is scheduled for Sept. 21 at the horse arena on Youngs Road.
—Colleen Hammonds of Roots & Ribbons came bearing pink garlands for the necks of council members, reminders that the second Puttin’ on the Pink run and walk is set for Oct. 5 at Patterson’s Morey Park.
Roots & Ribbons raises money to support local breast cancer survivors. The first Puttin’ on the Pink event last year drew hundreds of participants.
—The Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, the state Department of Health and Skinner’s Barber Shop will again team up for the Barbershop Bash 9 a.m.-noon at the shop, 1001 Railroad Ave. The event offers free prostate and colorectal screenings and biometric screenings, along with food, music and more.
Information promoting the event said the cancer center reviewed data in 2013 and found a high mortality rate among Black men in St. Mary Parish. In the last 10 years, the bash has screened 714 participants, 194 of whom had never been screened, more than a third of whom were uninsured, and more than half of whom had no primary care physician. The screenings led to the detection of five cancers.
Clarence Robinson told the council that his father was found to have cancer when in his 60s and lived to age 91.
“Some men are dying of apathy,” Robinson said, “just not knowing what’s going on.”
—Efrem Randle asked the council to support his EBP Community Boxing Program. Randle said he isn’t asking the city for money, but he’d like support as he searches for sites where boys and girls 8-18 can learn about boxing.
While other sports offer guidance for a limited time, Randle said, a boxing club allows for a mentorship bond that can last eight to 10 years.
Mayor Lee Dragna said the stage at the old M.D. Shannon Elementary building, which the city owns now, is under consideration as a site for the club. Randle is hoping to have clubs in Morgan City, Patterson, Franklin and elsewhere.
—Police Chief Chad M. Adams said the Police Department and Doric Lodge No. 87 have scheduled the annual National Night Out event for Oct. 15, 5-8 p.m., at Lawrence Park.
The Night Out will include a fishing game, prizes, fun jumps and petting zoo animals.
—Morgan City Main Street upcoming events include the Boat to Table Dinner ($25 per person) will be Sept. 28 and Trunk or Treat Under the Bridge will be Oct. 26. The Christmas Festival will begin with the traditional lighting of the Spirit of Morgan City shrimp boat on Thanksgiving night.
Also Tuesday:
—The council approved Councilman the Rev. Ron Bias’ request for a sign to be placed at Norman Field to honor the athletes who competed for Sumpter Williams High when it was a segregated high school for Black students. The sign will name the field at the park “Sumpter Williams Blue Devil Field.”
—The council welcomed a second member of its young people’s advisory council. High school student Molly Jo Doiron joined Lucy Kincade, who is a member of the state government’s Louisiana Youth Advisory Council.
—The council heard from two council candidates in the Nov. 5 primary. Eriq Blanchard is running against incumbent Lou Tamporello in District 5, and Jean Paul Bourg is running for the District 2 seat held by Bonnie Leonard.