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The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Ghandi

The Humane Society of Louisiana, Southwest Louisiana Chapter.

A voice for the animals.

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The loss of Carol Cain

We are saddended by the great loss of a wonderful advocate for animals and a tireless rescuer of those in need: Ms. Carol Cain. Without Ms Cain in our community, we will all suffer to work with less...

January, 2010 Schedule

The new year, 2010, offers us great chances to touch many, many lives together. SAVE THE DATE: MAY 8TH, 2010. ANTI-VIOLENCE WORKSHOP II -- PREVENTION. We are working to make sure that this year's...

An important request from Beth Zilbert

DEAR FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, AND CAMPAIGNERS AGAINST VIOLENCE: On Wednesday, October 7, 2009 Judge Savioe will be holding the sentencing hearing for Aaron Simoneaux -- the man who plead guilty to felony...

Chris and Christa Move On

Simoneaux Sentenced

In a courtroom full of those who love animals, Aaron Simoneaux was sentenced today by Judge Kent Savoie for brutally killing a dog on New Year's eve. SWLA Humane Society President Beth Zilbert represented...

A message of thanks from the President

Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence

Incarcerated youth care for rescued dogs

New Leash on Life KPLC news story

New Officers

Chris and Christa Move On

Written by Beth Zilbert

Friday, 09 October 2009 23:09

Lake Charles, LA: After a nationwide search, Steven Gainey, a soldier returning from 13 months of active-duty service in Afghanistan and his fiancé, Krista, have chosen two dogs that are in the New Leash on Life project at the Calcasieu Parish Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) to complete their new family. Theresa Schmidt with KPLC reported on the adoption in a news story aired on October 10th.

New Leash on Life is a rehabilitation and training program based at the JDC. New Leash on Life is a cooperative project run jointly by two Calcasieu Parish Police Jury agencies – the Office of Juvenile Justice Services and Calcasieu Parish Animal Services, and the Humane Society of Louisiana, SWLA Chapter. Dogs rescued by Animal Services come to live with the kids residing at the JDC. The kids then volunteer to learn how to rehabilitate and train the dogs in basic obedience, getting the dogs ready to be adopted by a new family.

“We searched, and searched nationwide websites for months looking for just the right pair of dogs to adopt. When we saw Chris and Crystal, we fell instantly in love. The fact that they were in the New Leash on Life project made them an even more perfect fit for our new family.” Said Krista, excitedly.

The kids at the JDC care for the dogs in New Leash on Life on a daily basis: cleaning their kennels, feeding them, taking care of their basic and medical needs, and teaching the dogs that interaction with humans can be good. The kids are learning marketable skills that will help them with their future career goals, and they are offering a great service to the Calcasieu Parish community.

“The presence of the dogs helps calm the kids. When they are working their dogs, they are learning real skills that can benefit them in every aspect of their lives. The training program employs only positive reinforcement, no punishment, which helps the kids learn how to problem solve in a positive and productive way.” explained Dane Bolin, Director of the Calcasieu Parish Office of Juvenile Justice Services.

Once the dogs pass a basic obedience test, which their juvenile trainer takes them through, they are then put up for adoption. More than three dozen dogs are living happily in new families as a result of the hard work of the kids participating in the New Leash on Life.

“There is no more fundamental rehabilitation program or effort that can be made than to reach out a hand to offer love and affection, versus pain and punishment. The kids are doing more for these dogs than any other basic obedience class ever could.” Said Beth Zilbert, President of the Humane Society of Louisiana, SWLA Chapter. Chris and Crystal, the brother and sister pups that are being adopted by the Gainey family, will be living in Fort Polk, running every day, and staking their claim to their own spot on the family couch. Not a bad new beginning for all involved.

Simoneaux Sentenced

In a courtroom full of those who love animals, Aaron Simoneaux was sentenced today by Judge Kent Savoie for brutally killing a dog on New Year's eve.

SWLA Humane Society President Beth Zilbert represented the SWLA Humane Society as well as the many animal coalition partners present in asking the Judge for an appropriate sentence. In doing so, Beth alerted the judge that over 400 signatures had been obtained asking for a severe penalty. She also quoted statistics detailing how animal abuse relates to domestic violence. (These statistics are provided below).

Simoneaux was sentenced to 7 years and ordered to attend an 18 month IMPACT bootcamp program as well as receive counseling and achieve his GED. If Simoneaux fails the IMPACT program, (Intensive Motivational Program of Alternative Correctional Treatment) he will have to serve the entire sentence. At the very least, he will serve 18 months.

The SWLA Humane Society wishes to thank District Attorney John Derossier and his office for their diligent efforts in prosecuting this case.

Judge Savoie and John Derossier both made very positive comments as to the presence of those who attended the sentencing hearing.

Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence

Facts About Animal Abuse & Domestic Violence

In association with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Why it Matters

71% of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32% reported their children had hurt or killed animals. [1]
68% of battered women reported violence towards their animals. 87% of these incidents occurred in the presence of the women, and 75% in the presence of the children, to psychologically control and coerce them. [2]
13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence. [3]
Between 25% and 40% of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave. [4,5,6]
Pets may suffer unexplained injuries, health problems, permanent disabilities at the hands of abusers, or disappear from home. [7]
Abusers kill, harm, or threaten children’s pets to coerce them into sexual abuse or to force them to remain silent about abuse. Disturbed children kill or harm animals to emulate their parents’ conduct, to prevent the abuser from killing the pet, or to take out their aggressions on another victim. [8,9]
In one study, 70% of animal abusers also had records for other crimes. Domestic violence victims whose animals were abused saw the animal cruelty as one more violent episode in a long history of indiscriminate violence aimed at them and their vulnerability. [10]
Investigation of animal abuse is often the first point of social services intervention for a family in trouble. [4]
For many battered women, pets are sources of comfort providing strong emotional support: 98% of Americans consider pets to be companions or members of the family. [11]
Animal cruelty problems are people problems. When animals are abused, people are at risk. [12]