A local resident whose animals have been killed by a neighbor’s loose pit bull told Jeff Davis Parish police jurors Wednesday that he had reported the dog being out and dangerous many times before, but that nothing was done to stop it.

John Marcantel, who lives on Bourque Road northwest of Lacassine, said he has called the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office to complain about the dog several times. Although deputies come out to the property, the dog continues to be a problem, he said.

“Yesterday morning, I let my little Jack Russell squirrel dog out and his pit bull killed it,” Marcantel said. “I called the sheriff’s department as I always do. They come out, give him a ticket (for dog at large) and his dogs are back out.”

The dog, which he described as aggressive, has killed six of his goats, a dozen other dogs and is constantly chasing his cattle in his pasture.

“I don’t know what else to do other than to take matters into my own hands and shoot the *** dog myself,” he said. “I’m tired of complaining. I’ve talked to everybody I can.”

Marcantel said the sheriff’s department referred him to the police jury.

“I don’t know how to handle the situation,” he said. “I am trying to do it legally without causing other issues.”

Marcantel said he has talked to the dog’s owner at least a dozen times, but it continues to be an ongoing issue.

“I know it’s a parishwide issue with dogs because I’ve talked to a lot of people who have the same issue with stray dogs or dogs killing their animals,” Marcantel said.

Resident Ashley Moreau said she is concerned about the dog attacking children or anyone in the neighborhood. She urged the police jury to help.

Police Jury legal advisor Lance Persons said the issue is a civil matter between two landowners. He recommended Marcantel speak to an attorney and seek civil cause of action against the owner for causing damage to his property and killing his animals.

“It’s a dispute between two landowners,” Person said. “The police jury is here to pass laws. The police jury is undertaking efforts to build an animal shelter, although I don’t think that would really fix this problem.”

Police Jury President Steve Eastman said the parish is working on an animal control structure. The parish is currently reviewing six requests for proposals to build the shelter.

He said the parish has also asked for help from various towns and is in the process of contacting another parish to help while the parish works on getting the animal shelter.