VIDALIA, La. – A committee formed to organize a parishwide animal shelter will review other areas’ animal control ordinances and recommend a similar ordinance for Concordia at the Concordia Parish Police Jury’s Jan 22 meeting.

At the start of its Monday meeting, the Police Jury held a hearing to get public input on how such an ordinance should be worded.

&uot;I want to be told if my dogs are bothering somebody, but I&160;don’t want them shot or carried off my property,&uot; said Jeff Goeggle of Monterey, who attended the meeting.

&uot;Our dogs need room to roam,&uot;&160;W.L. Paul said. &uot;I&160;heard you would be passing a leash law.&uot;

But jury President Charlie Blaney assured those present that the animal control ordinance would not force those in unincorporated areas to put their dogs on leashes.

It would also not authorize an animal control officer to shoot animals or to trespass on owners’ property to retrieve animals, he added.

&uot;If we get the money (to build and staff a shelter), we’d be fortunate just to take care of what we’d have to take care of without going on people’s property to get more&uot; dogs, Blaney said.