UPDATE, 9/29/20: The St. Landry Parish Animal Control is operational again. According to St. Landry Parish President Jesse Bellard, an investigation by the sheriff’s office into the three employees found no criminal intent, and the matter was turned over to the parish’s human resources office.

“We’ve made changes in the staff that allow us to begin serving our parish residents, again,” said Bellard.  “Our Animal Control department is fully operational and ready to take calls.”

Citizens in need of animal control services should call (337) 948-6184.

ORIGINAL POST: OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) — Three animal control employees have been suspended without pay from the St. Landry Parish Animal Control department, and their absence has basically shut down the parish’s animal services.

St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard announced today that the parish’s animal control department would be temporarily unable to handle calls due to the investigation into the three employees. Because it is a personnel issue, Bellard said the parish government cannot comment on the reason the emplyees were suspended.

“I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our residents,” said Bellard.  “We’ll be fully operation[al] again as soon as we can.”

Animal Control will be available for emergencies, only.  Residents should call the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Department at (337) 948-6516 with their request for emergency assistance. 

“We’ll do our best to accommodate any emergency that may arise in the parish while we are short-staffed,” said Bellard.