Residents press council for answers as Hammond considers $58,752 animal-control contract

A proposed cooperative agreement with the parish animal services for $58,752 prompted extended public comment on July 28 as residents and councilmembers urged more transparency and performance data before formal approval. Residents described repeated stray-cat problems, wildlife concerns and inconsistent responses; councilmembers said the contract formula is census-based and the contract includes reporting and termination clauses.

Resident Laurie Henderson told the council she has repeatedly called the dog pound about feral cats and other animals on Wells Drive and asked for more enforcement and trapping: "I'm constantly calling the dog pound... they told me that 107 Wells Drive wouldn't let them put no cat traps in her yard because she's feeding the cats." Councilmembers pressed staff for call counts, response data and clarity about who will attend future meetings. Staff said the $58,752 figure is based on a per-capita calculation using the 2020 census and that the contract requires semiannual reporting; staff also said the contract can be terminated with notice if services are not delivered.

After prolonged discussion, the council amended the agenda to correct the dollar amount and voted to approve the contract as amended while adding a request that a representative from animal services appear at the next meeting to explain services and reporting. Several councilmembers said they would prefer to approve the contract to avoid a lapse in service but insisted on scheduled oversight and the right to rescind the agreement if performance falls short.