BOBBY ARDOIN Editor/Consulting Writer
Two young dogs allegedly placed by an Opelousas woman inside a commercial dumpster Sunday night appear on their way to securing an adopted home.
The unnamed canines, eventually rescued by Sebastien’s Westend Seafood employee Chad Jones, have been eating complimentary food, resting and undergoing baths at Jones’ house, according to Sharon Sebastien, who owns the business at 1538 West Landry Street.
Sebastien said during a Tuesday interview at the seafood market, that an individual has already inquired about taking the dogs, who were initially endangered after they were located inside the dumpster by a person living nearby the business.
“I really didn’t want to just give (the dogs) up and send them to the pound. I have been contacted by a person who is interested in taking them, probably by Wednesday, Sebastien said.
Sebastien said Jones was instrumental in orchestrating a citizen’s rescue operation.
“Chad got the dogs bathed and took them home. He’s got pictures now of them sleeping on the floor and lying around after they ate some good,” said Sebastien.
Jones said the dogs are adapting well to their new situation, apparently making themselves at home while they possibly await for a new owner.
Sebastian is adamant that she has little tolerance for the incident that allegedly involves Jasmine Mouton and Kendel Tyler, both of Opelousas.
“I hope the justice system can make the charges stick. A few years ago right in front of this business, I saw someone stop and throw a dog out of a car. It’s a busy street, so I went and got the dog, picked him up and I still have him,” Sebastien added.
Sebastien said she has been working closely with St. Landry Parish investigator Spencer Cornette, who executed the aggravated cruelty to animals charges on Monday on behalf of the parish.
The initial plight of the dogs became evident sometime Sunday night when a person living nearby that Sebastien identified as Daniel, heard banging noises inside the dumpster located adjacent to her store.
“Daniel told me he was scared to look inside at first, but then when he peeked inside, he saw two dogs that were maybe four months old and making noises, trying to get out. That’s when he called me,” Sebastien said.
Sebastien said she retrieved video footage that animal control investigators indicate show a woman picking up one dog at a time, placing each in the dumpster and then walking away.
Jones arrived and then took the dogs home, said Sebastien.
A probable cause arrest warrant filed into 27th Judicial Court records, indicated that Mouton allegedly became angry with both dogs after she told Cornette during an arrest interview that the canines had chewed some cables and trashed her apartment on West Blanchard.
Mouton said the dogs reappeared at her apartment after she brought them down a road, so she walked with them again, became mad and ended up putting them in the dumpster.
Tyler was allegedly walking with Mouton when the dog dumping incident occurred, according to the arrest warrant. Tyler allegedly did not attempt to prevent the dogs from being placed in the dumpster, the arrest warrant says.
