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.
10/13/2021 at 3:18 pm |
There is a need to defund some two legged dogs in Lincoln Parish. Local government like state and federal government is entirely too big and out of hand.
10/14/2021 at 3:21 pm |
Best (only?) way to control government, is to cut the money off.
Vote a tax down and watch the nervous looks among our elected betters.
10/13/2021 at 4:00 pm |
So you are saying it’s better to send Lincoln parish money to Ouachita parish rather than support a local organization that is used throughout the parish by its residents…..
10/13/2021 at 4:43 pm |
They’re just pissing off more and more people.
10/13/2021 at 4:48 pm |
Numbers for the health unit are dismal.
10/14/2021 at 3:23 pm |
What about the health unit? It is a state function; lincoln parish only provides the building. It seems adequate to me.
10/14/2021 at 4:43 pm |
24k for animals/18.5k for people
10/15/2021 at 3:39 pm |
State operates the health unit, Parish maintains the building.
10/14/2021 at 9:05 am |
It is shameful. The animal control officer , driving to OPAS several times a day , is a waste of time and money. Most people would not know to check with OPAS for a lost pet. OPAS is a high kill shelter. Our rescues are the best assets we have in Lincoln Parish.
10/14/2021 at 9:32 am |
This is ridiculous! 4 Paws has saves so many pets, found them new homes, and do such a great job for abandoned pets in our community! Just because animal control hasn’t utilized their service doesn’t mean it isnt necessary. People dump animals in the country and the citizens take them to 4 Paws. No wonder Ruston is getting such a bad name! The leaders in this city need to step up to the plate and make better decisions!
10/14/2021 at 12:04 pm |
The public servants not just in the city, but the parish too. I don’t consider them leaders.
10/14/2021 at 11:25 am |
Most Politicians do not make good decisions. Just look at the mess this state and USA government is in.
10/14/2021 at 12:01 pm |
We’ll talk about it…
10/14/2021 at 2:03 pm |
This state? Get your vaccine then talk. Republicans are killing off their own party by not getting vaccine. Won’t be any Republicans left to vote. Sad but true .
10/14/2021 at 4:09 pm |
Seems the largest unvaxed groups are blacks; wonder why?
10/14/2021 at 4:14 pm |
That’s not what this article is about. Stop trying to distract the public from the issue addressed in the article by dropping grenades to cause trouble.
10/14/2021 at 7:03 pm |
We wear mask we don’t need vaccine
10/14/2021 at 3:24 pm |
The information given by Doug Postel is incorrect. Lincoln Parish animal control employee Rob Sasser has brought 21 dogs to us this year and we have picked up 19 that were taken to OPAS by Mr. Sasser. We just received a call from OPAS 10 minutes ago to come pick up two pit bulls that were taken from Lincoln Parish by Rob Sasser to OPAS. So we are wasting time and gas to go pick up dogs from OPAS that should’ve been brought directly to us. We were told that to continue receiving our $2000 a month we must take all dogs picked up by Rob Sasser. We have held up our end of the bargain but it seems the police jury says the money they give us does not warrant 24,000 a year.
10/14/2021 at 3:36 pm |
Doug Postel will lie, cheat, and steal to further his agenda.
10/14/2021 at 3:55 pm |
Indeed he will
10/14/2021 at 4:01 pm |
Who among you, your staff, or volunteers got on the wrong side of the police jury? Sad sad
10/14/2021 at 4:25 pm |
Sue, what percentage of your annual budget is this $24,000?
10/14/2021 at 8:54 pm |
Dogs vs humans . I value humans .
10/15/2021 at 7:14 am |
Hasn’t 4Paws been caught stealing pets in the past? 🤔
10/15/2021 at 7:30 am |
Yes
10/15/2021 at 7:59 am |
Yes!
10/15/2021 at 8:31 am |
O wow. Here we go. Now destroying their reputation.
10/15/2021 at 3:50 pm |
This is common knowledge & public record. Their reputation is already bad.
10/16/2021 at 3:54 pm |
that’s absurd what would the motivation be? show proof or stop spreading lies
10/16/2021 at 6:55 pm |
Wasn’t it in paper back when?
10/17/2021 at 10:38 am |
Was it? I don’t remember that. Got a link?
10/18/2021 at 1:27 pm |
This is an interesting debate. How to spend tax dollars? It seems like in all debates not all are going to agree. Should Lincoln Parish tax dollars go to a local non-profit (4 Paws) or to another parish that has a government run animal shelter (OPAS) or should the tax money be spent on something different all together (Roads, Trash, Schools).
How much does OPAS charge per animal? How many animals are picked up in a month on average? How many trips are made to Ouachita Parish a month? Which is cheaper for Lincoln Parish- 4 Paws or OPAS?
Should the Police Jury be involved in the animal business at all? 4-Paw was established to meet a need- let them do what they started. If people want to give to the cause let them donate, tax dollars are not the answer to every need of the community. I don’t think this is the government’s responsibility.
10/19/2021 at 10:16 pm |
Where’s that police jury report Walter? We’re ready to see how much damage Hyde caused
10/20/2021 at 11:50 am |
They know at this point it was big mistake hiring Hyde
10/20/2021 at 2:43 pm |
Lots of mistakes from the pj. Too many.
10/20/2021 at 3:09 pm |
He’s too young , lack of experience and evidently jumping around from job to job .
10/20/2021 at 3:16 pm |
Not arguing. just saying Hyde is one of many mistakes by this jury.
10/28/2021 at 10:46 pm |
LPPJ report about to come out mr Hyde. Three have already come out. You gonna get the report Walter?
10/29/2021 at 7:28 am |
Very ready
10/29/2021 at 8:36 pm |
Looks like five reports have been released…..that only leaves one mr Hyde…… let us know Walter