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City, parish draft animal-control agreement; council debates shelter stays, staffing and spay/neuter vouchers
Summary
Council introduced a cooperative agreement with Iberia Parish to provide animal-control services and debated operational terms including whether to hire a city dog catcher or contract services, kennel stay limits (40 vs 30 days), state inspections, and a planned $20,000 spay/neuter voucher program.
New Iberia — Council members introduced a proposed cooperative endeavor agreement with Iberia Parish for animal‑control services and spent substantial time debating operational details and public‑safety tradeoffs.
The draft terms would have the city either hire a dog catcher (employee) or contract for services; the operational plan discussed a two‑year agreement and the city would be responsible for intake and release of city animals. Staff and the attorney clarified the council was reviewing a terms document rather than a final ordinance; a formal agreement will return to the council in ordinance form for approval.
Key operational questions included kennel stay length for impounded animals (the mayor proposed 40 days in the draft; other members argued for 30 days and suggested shorter periods would better protect public safety), whether the parish or state will perform and provide inspection reports (members asked for regular state inspections or written reports), and how staff will monitor day‑to‑day compliance. Some council members asked that the new city employee or contractor perform internal checks and recordkeeping so the council can be informed.
The mayor also announced a spay/neuter voucher program the city will launch with $20,000 in seed funds and two veterinarians already on board; vouchers will be limited (one per owner) and distributed through a city office appointment system. Several council members stressed public‑safety first and urged an aggressive approach to reduce dangerous animals, with the mayor noting the city will balance compassion with safety. The matter will return to the council after staff and parish negotiations produce a formal agreement and ordinance.
