4 Paws Defunded by Police Jury

4 Paws Rescue, a Ruston-based non-profit that provides food, shelter, and medical care for stray dogs was denied a $24 thousand funding request by a unanimous vote of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury at last night’s meeting.

For 2021, the agency was given $24 thousand, and in 2020, $36 thousand was allocated. Funding for 4 Paws has been allocated by the jury in various amounts since we began coverage in 2009.

Parish Administrator Doug Postel said the parish has a comprehensive animal control program, with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office implementing it through their animal control officer.

Said Postel, “I don’t know if we have utilized the services of 4 Paws this year – maybe less than ten times have we taken any animals there.”

He added that most animals are taken to Ouachita Parish which has a network of rescue facilities that they work with. Ouachita Parish is paid on a per animal basis, which is what the jury would propose to do in the future for any local facility, he said.

The jury’s Finance Committee recommended – and the full jury approved – all the other entities’ funding requests for 2022. See here the complete list.

Also approved was a 2 1/2% cost of living raise for all parish employees.

A special called meeting of the jury was scheduled for Tuesday, November 16, 5:15 PM to canvass the election results of the upcoming election set for Saturday, November 13. Among the items on the ballot is a 4.49 mil property tax to fund the Lincoln Parish Library.

Last December, a 5.85 mil tax proposal was defeated by Lincoln Parish voters.

The jury also adopted a resolution of condolence on the death of long-time former District Three juror Bobby Bennett. The resolution noted Bennett’s years of service and the many committees that he served on. See here the resolution.