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The arrest of two brothers in connection with a Bayou Blue area methamphetamine operation last month led to the discovery of 133 cats that authorities said were in such bad health they had to be euthanized, and the arrest of their mother on animal cruelty charges.
“It is disappointing for us to have to come to work and do this, this is not the job we like to do,” said Hillary Knight, manager of the Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter. “We are taking comfort in knowing this was the most humane thing to do for those animals.”
Sandy Chauvin, mother of the two men initially arrested, was charged Wednesday with five counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and creation or operation of a meth lab. She was booked and released on a $40,000 bond.
The saga began Jan. 13 when Lafourche Parish drug agents showed up at the family’s home, 160 Sandy Lane, with warrants for Nicholas Chauvin, one of the sons, for meth distribution. Drug agents obtained a search warrant for the location, where they found tools and other objects related to the manufacture of meth. The other brother, Christian Chauvin, was there when officers entered. He was arrested and charged with creation or operation of a meth lab.
Christian Chauvin was released on a $50,000 bond and Nicholas on an $85,000 bond.
During the search of the residence, officers noticed a large number of cats , said a Lafourche Sheriff’s Office spokesman, Lt. Brennan Matherne.
“The living conditions at the residence were very poor, and a large amount of fecal matter was discovered throughout the residence.” Matherne said in a statement issued Friday. “Team members captured photographic evidence of five cats which appeared to have serious health issues and injuries. Seven deceased cats were also found at the residence.”
Animal control deputies responded and began removing cats and over a period of several days following, the number of cats was determined to be 133.
As previously released, on Friday, January 13, agents with the Lafourche Parish Drug Task Force arrived at Chauvin’s residence due to having two active warrants for the arrest of her son, Nicholas Chauvin, for Distribution of Methamphetamine, and he was taken into custody without incident. After obtaining a search warrant for the residence, the Lafourche Parish Combined Meth Lab Response Team entered the residence and discovered tools and other items commonly associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine. Christian Chauvin, Nicholas Chauvin’s brother, was also at the residence. Both Chauvins were charged with Creation or Operation of a Clandestine Laboratory for the Unlawful Manufacture of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Christian Chauvin was released on January 17 after posting $50,000 bond, and Nicholas Chauvin was released the following day after posting $85,000 bond.
Warrants were issued for the mother, Sandy Chauvin, and officers made contact with her Wednesday. She was booked on the . Agents made contact with Sandy Chauvin on Wednesday, February 1, and she was taken into custody.
Attempts by The Times to contact the Chauvins by telephone Friday were not successful.
Knight said the cats were brought in clusters to the shelter over several days as deputies were able to round them up. They were severely affected, she said, by scabies, ringworm, upper respiratory infections and other health problems that she said might be expected where such a large number were confined.
The shelter staff, she said, determined they were unadoptable.
Currently there are 30 adoptable cats at the shelter, which can hold up to 55 felines.
Knight said that if the cats were adoptable she would have reached out to animal rescues and placed as many as possible.
The shelter is open to any qualified person willing to adopt. The shelter is also the temporary home of about 30 adoptable dogs. It is open from 9 am to 3:30 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
“This is a perfect instance of which you should get your pets fixed,” said Knight, who noted that the Chauvin family started with eight or ten cats, and that the population mushroomed over a period of just a couple of years.
Anyone wishing to adopt a cat has options other than a shelter visit, she said. Lafourche shelter cats are among those sent to PetSmart in Houma for adoption.
“If they can’t make it here they can go to the Cat Condo at PetSmart,” she said.
Courtesy: Lafourche Parish Sherriff’s Office
