By Pat Culverhouse
Webster Parish Police Jury members voted this week to amend coverage under the parish fireworks ordinance to include the four-legged population outside corporate limits.
Now, the new amendment to the existing ordinance prohibits the discharge of fireworks within 1,000 feet of livestock without the consent of the livestock owner. The ordinance covers areas outside any town or village corporate limits.
Amendment language notes the 1,000 feet will be measured in a straight line from the fireworks discharge location to the nearest location where livestock is present at the time of discharge.
Jury members voted unanimously to adopt the amendment, accepting a recommendation from its Governmental Relations Committee.
“The Webster Parish Police Jury finds that the discharge of fireworks in close proximity to livestock can cause panic, injury, death, escape of animals, property damage and threats to public safety,” the amendment claims.
Included among those groups protected are horses, cattle, sheep, goats, mules, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, swine and other livestock which may be susceptible to injury and distress caused by fireworks.
Other groups covered are poultry maintained for agricultural purposes and any other domesticated animal raised, bred, boarded, exhibited, trained or maintained for agricultural, commercial, breeding, recreational or equestrian purposes.
“Before we vote on the ordinance, be sure to check and see if there’s any animal we may have missed,” chairman Jim Bonsall said with a laugh during the committee meeting.
Amendment language notes the police jury “…desires to protect livestock owners while preserving the ability of citizens to lawfully enjoy fireworks when such an activity does not unreasonably interfere with nearby agricultural operations.
Consent to discharge fireworks may be oral or written and may be given by the livestock owner or the owner’s authorized representative. Burden of proof rests with the person discharging the fireworks.
Penalties for violation under the new ordinance include:
- A fine not exceeding $250 for a first offense.
- A fine not exceeding $500 for a second offense occurring with 24 months of a prior violation.
- A fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both, for a third or subsequent offense occurring within 24 months of a prior violation.
Each separate discharge event shall constitute a separate offense.
Enforcement of the ordinance will be the duty of the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office and any other law enforcement officer having jurisdiction within Webster Parish.
Bonsall told committee members the amendment was drafted after complaints from owners that discharging fireworks near areas containing concentrations of livestock caused often caused distress among the animals.
“Our intention isn’t to stop people from having fun during holidays or special events, but we need something that protects the animals, the owners and the public,” he said. “If fireworks are going off and animals break through fences and get onto a road, that could become a hazardous situation.”
According to Sheriff Jason Parker, his deputies will now have legal authority to shut down fireworks discharges near livestock.
“Our deputies have usually just talked to people who are shooting fireworks and asked them to be cautious and considerate,” he said. “This gives us something solid to use if there’s a problem.”
But, he added, his deputies won’t be specifically targeting those who are discharging fireworks outside corporate limits.
“We’re not going to be on patrol looking for someone to shut down unless we receive complaints,” he said. “If we’re called for a specific problem somewhere, we will respond.”