Sign: Hold Authorities Accountable For Allowing Cats Abandoned In House To Die

Published: June 09, 2023 at 12:16 AM Author: PENNY EIMS

Iberia Parish, Louisiana – Six cats suffered a slow and agonizing death after their owner moved out of a rental house at 5814 Sandoz Road, Iberia Parish, leaving them behind without food or water. What their owner did is horrific, and what the local authorities did (or instead did not do) is unconscionable.

According to Jeff Dorson, the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana, last summer an Iberia Parish resident saw several cats in the window of the house on Sandoz Road; the resident contacted the authorities because she knew that the tenant had moved out.

The woman claims that the authorities not only refused to come out to the home to remove the cats but informed her that if SHE removed the cats, she would be arrested. The result? Six cats slowly starved to death…alone in a house that had become their prison. Growing weaker with each passing day, and left to wonder if the person who was supposed to care for them would ever return.

The colossal failures surrounding this sad situation get worse. The Humane Society has provided the name of the cats’ owner to the authorities, but they have made no arrests; they have done no investigation. Dorson said:

“We have provided the sheriff’s office with the name of the cat’s owner and pictures taken of the crime scene (the deputy who finally responded to the call in February refused to exit his vehicle or look at the pictures of the carcasses). He simply told the witness that he would write a report and added that he doubted that anything could be done. This is wrong on every level.”

If you are appalled by this horrific situation, please add your name to the petition today! Animal Victory will be petitioning the authorities with your comments and signatures. We will demand that these cats deserve justice through a complete investigation and charges against their owner. Animal Victory firmly believes that this animal cruelty case must be investigated by law. It is indefensible that the authorities have chosen to sweep this situation under the rug.

Animal-Protection-Laws-of-Louisiana-2020-Animal-Legal-Defense-Fund (3)

We the undersigned demand that the authorities conduct a complete investigation into the death of six cats who were abandoned in a home at 5814 Sandoz Road. It is our understanding that the department has been provided with the name of the cats’ owner and photos of the crime scene. With this information, an arrest and charges are warranted. These innocent lives deserve justice – they suffered horrific deaths and someone needs to be held accountable!

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

News

Statement from Jeff Dorson

Update 5/31/2025: Animal Victory sent petition to Prosecutor Hue. 

Update 5/22/2025: This case WAS NOT dropped by Iberia Parish. The Prosecutor is Lauren Hue. The case is now billed by Iberia Parish on May 20, 2025. An arraignment hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Update 10/10/2024: This case was actively turned over to the District Attorney’s office on July 10, 2024, and is being prosecuted by ADA Michael Caffery. Docket #23-11-04. Amanda Bijoux appeared on 07/03/2024 for her arraignment, but a bill of information (formal charges) had not been signed by the D.A.’s office. 

Update 7/17/2024: We have just been informed by Jeff Dorson that the suspect in this case, Amanda Bijeaux, was arrested and charged on October 25th of last year! Deputies charged her with six counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. Thank you for all your wonderful help and support! We will follow up with court information soon.

Update 9/19/2023: Still no answer from Sheriff. Iberia Parish along with Sheriff Romero seem to have complete disregard for people and animals. We’re not done. Read our letter below

Sheriff Romero and Iberia Parish Government 9.08.2023

Please let your thoughts be known. We have asked repeatedly for an investigation since June 2023. Please ask the Sheriff what’s going on with the investigation.

Please call 1.337.369.3714, extension 0, or email Sheriff Romero.

Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, 316 West Main Street, Lafayette, La. 70501

info@lafayettesheriff.com

Sheriff Romero toromero@iberiaso.org

Iberia Parish Government President M. Larry Richard, Cynthia Provost, executive director for Parish President M. Larry Richard bbergeron@iberiagov.net; cprovost@iberiagov.net;

Update 9/8/2023: Animal Victory talked with Robin from Sheriff Romero’s office this morning and was informed the investigation is still active. Animal Victory has since sent a letter to Sheriff Romero demanding information about the investigation by Monday, 9/11/2023.  At this time, we have taken our next step and copied the President of Iberia Parish Government regarding the situation at hand.

Update 8/13/2023: Animal Victory has spoken with Sheriff Romero’s Office and they confirmed that the investigation is still active. The sheriff will issue a press release when the investigation is complete. 

Update 6/26/2023: Animal Victory has sent Sheriff Romero our petition along with your signatures demanding an investigation. We will update the petition when we receive an update from the Sheriff.

Prior Signatures 14,086