Simmesport is investigating complaints of dog neglect

    Simmesport police are actively investigating complaints filed by the local Humane Society chapter and a private citizen alleging animal neglect at a Simmesport residence.

    Police Chief Brandon Spillman was obviously perturbed by a Facebook blitz criticizing his department “for not doing our job.”  He said he has been investigating complaints that dogs at the home were malnourished and left tied up without food or water.

   “I guess the investigation isn’t going fast enough to suit them or they haven’t gotten the results they wanted,” Spillman said. 

   The police chief said the investigation will continue to determine if a crime has been committed. Once it has been completed, a decision on charges will be made and he will be able to release more details on the case. Until then, he noted, he cannot discuss details of an active investigation.

     Spillman confirmed that he has received animal-related complaints against the woman at the residence in question in the past.

    “Some neighbors complained that there were dogs running at large around the house,” he said. “She has been cited for that in the past.” He said a complaint was filed some time ago alleging a dog had been abused at the house.

    “We investigated that complaint but were never able to locate the dog in question, so no charges were ever filed,” Spillman said.

    At this point in the investigation, there is nothing to indicate  either a dog theft or dog-fighting connection to the case.

    Police say two dogs that went missing from a Pointe Coupee family were found at the Simmesport residence. Spillman said any charges related to allegations of dog theft  would have to be filed by Pointe Coupee officials, who would have jurisdiction for a theft occurring in that parish.

    The Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Office did issue an arrest warrant on a charge of theft of animals based on that allegation.

    Melisa Bowman of Plaucheville started the investigation after reading Amanda Mayeaux’s Facebook post concerning the recovery of her dogs from the Simmesport house. One of her dogs that went missing from her home has still not been found.

    “I was familiar with this (Simmesport) woman because I had had dealings with her before,” Bowman said. “In February I was driving by and saw an English mastiff in her yard. He had only three legs and was in a terrible condition.”

    Bowman said she passed the house for several days and eventually stopped to ask the owner about the dog.

   “I asked her if I could have him and she said I could,” Bowman said. “I rescued the dog. After about a week of care, he looked 100 times better.”

    A Great Dane rescue organization agreed to take the mastiff “as a favor to me because I have a Great Dane and donate to the organization.”

   That dog “is now with a couple in Baton Rouge and doing great,” she added.

   Bowman said she went back to the Simmesport house after seeing the Mayeaux Facebook message and saw “13 dogs tied to trees and in pens.”

    She reported the scene to police and to the Humane Society. The woman was given up to two days to remedy the situation. Most of the dogs were removed that night, Bowman said.  She met town police at the house the next day and was told by Spillman that efforts would be made to locate the other dogs to ensure they were being properly cared for.

    Bowman was allowed to take four mixed-breed puppies from the house. She took them to a veterinarian for treatment and examinations and then gave them to P.A.W.S. animal shelter in Pineville.