Cases of Cattle Being Shot or Killed in Louisiana Under Investigation
There are multiple cases of cattle shootings or cattle being killed with other methods that are under investigation in Louisiana and there are rewards being offered for any information.
Jefferson Davis Parish Shooting
In Jefferson Davis Parish, five Brangus cows were shot in the head with a small-caliber gun on Jan. 13. All of the cows are expected to recover from their injuries. The cows were shot in a pasture off of Faul Road and Lone Pine Road.
A reward of up to $2,200 is being offered by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission and the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s office for information on the case.
“The Jefferson Davis Parish Cattlemen’s Association is adding $200 and Lake Charles farmer, Callen Odom, is adding $1,000 towards the reward for a total of $2,200,” Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., says.
The award was originally $1,000 until more money was added by the local cattlemen’s association and the farmer.
Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff Ivy Woods adds, “Detectives are working with Livestock Brand Commission agents on this incident and hopefully someone will come forward with information that leads to capturing the persons involved in this crime.”
Information related to the shooting can be given by calling the Livestock Brand Commission Crime Stoppers at 1-800-558-9741 or the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s office at 337-821-2100. Calls are to remain anonymous. Any information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime could earn up to a $2,200 cash reward.
Cattle Killers Caught in St. Landry Parish
An investigation by the Livestock Brand Commission and St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Department resulted in the arrest of four people who are alleged to have been run over with trucks.
Charges for criminal damage to property valued at $6,500 and aggravated cruelty to animals were applied to Jameson LaGrange, 20, of Leonville; Jacob Hebert, 21, of Port Barre; Kaitlin Gauthier, 21, of Port Barre; and Christian Meche, 18, of Port Barre.
The four are alleged to have been driving vehicles around the Port Barre levee around midnight on March 3, 2018. That next morning a rancher filed a complaint to LDAF brand commission regarding four dead cattle. There were three calves and a cow found dead that appeared to have been run over by a truck.
Through the Livestock Crime Stoppers Hotline a tip resulted in the arrest. The informant was given an award of $500.
“We want to thank this individual for coming forward and assisting in the arrests of these individuals. This crime was a complete disregard for the rancher’s property and the lives of these animals,” says LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. “It is so important for witnesses or those who have relevant information pertaining to a criminal act to step forward and help bring suspects to justice.”
Heifer Butchered in Rapides Parish
Information is being sought for in Rapides Parish related to a heifer that was butchered alongside a road. LDAF Brand Commission and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office are searching for the person or persons responsible.
The crime is believed to have happened around 5 a.m., Dec. 29, 2018. The heifer was killed and butchered in a pasture located along Highway 454 in Pineville which is north of Marksville. The heifer is valued at approximately $1,200 and reward is being offered to find the culprits.
“The owner is adding another $1,000 to the reward for a total of up to $2,000 with the hope that someone will come forward with information leading to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible for killing and butchering one of his valuable livestock,” Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said.
Information on the crime can be shared by calling Livestock Crime Stoppers at 1-800-558-9741 or the Rapides Parish Crime Stoppers at 318-443-7867. All calls are anonymous and you could earn up to a $2,000 cash reward for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime.
Teen Shooting at Raccoon Hits Cow
One of the strangest cow shootings in Louisiana this past month happened when a teenager was allegedly shooting at a raccoon and hit a cow instead.
The Grant Parish Sheriff's Office arrested Linden Gibson, 17, of Tioga, on Jan. 25 for shooting a cow. Gibson told authorities he thought he was shooting a raccoon, but instead hit a cow.
Gibson has been charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal, criminal damage to property, and criminal trespassing.
There was no information about the status of the cow.
