RSS
Home
Walker Louisiana man accused of animal cruelty says dogs were strays
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Elgin John Melancon III, who was arrested with his wife Mimi on nine counts of animal cruelty, is now saying the dogs were not his. (One of the dogs picked up at the residence is pictured here.)
According to Channel 9's WAFB news, Melancon said, "Those aren't my dogs. What are you supposed to do? A hungry dog comes to your house. You're feeding your dog. You going to run it off? I'm going to let it eat."
But Randy Stegall, President of the Tangi Humane Society, told the reporter that according to state law if you feed an animal and take it into your care, it becomes your responsibility.
Louisiana State Law 102.1 A. reads (1) Any person who intentionally or with criminal negligence commits any of the following shall be guilty of simple cruelty to animals: (c) Having charge, custody, or possession of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, unjustifiably fails to provide it with proper food, proper drink, proper shelter, or proper veterinary care.
The report gave no mention as to whether the dogs found inside the residence were owned by the Melancons.
Melancon did say the pit bull was chained to a tree because it was aggressive to his kids and neighbors.
Melancon lives in Livingston, a parish of Louisiana with no official animal control and no animal shelter. He claims that is why no one would come and get the animals.
He said he did the best he could with the strays, feeding them when he could.
Additional Info:
Deputies also said that Mimi Melancon was given a summons for piles of junk (pictured in the photo above) around their residence.
Two arrested in Walker Louisiana and charged with animal cruelty
Photo source: Tangi Humane Society
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
