Hurricane Katrina

animal rescuer Shannon Moore 239x620
Press Covers Animal Rally
4/18/06 ~ WWL-TV.com, AP
Price tag unknown for pet evacuation plan

4/18/06 ~ The Advocate
Pet-evacuation bill debated today

4/18/06 ~ The Shreveport Times
Louisiana considers pets in disaster plans

4/18/06 ~ The Times-Picayune
Get animals out of town too, bill suggests. Legislation provides for pets in evacuation

News Channel 6 KTAL-TV
Lawmakers propose pet evacuation plan

4/13/06 ~ Corsicana Daily Sun
Pet law could help in escape

4/10/06 ~ WWOZ 90.7 FM
Save Our Pets presents March of People
& Their Pets
to State Capitol steps

4/4/06 ~ KHOU 11 News
Katrina pet [guardian] evacuees:
Louisiana needs your support

Feedback From Rally Organizer


4/17/06, Shannon Moore  ~  Rally at Louisiana Capitol was a great success! Sorry it has taken so long for this report but I am worn out! The march/rally was very much a success today. There were approximately 150 people there plus dogs and signs.

I was was assigned to lead an unscheduled press conference, so I did my best and Charlotte (ARNO) was a great speaker! Robin and Charlotte (ARNO directors] both showed support today and I am so thankful for everyone who helped with this endeavor.

I introduced speakers: Senator Fontenot (SB-607 primary sponsor), Laura Maloney (LA-SPCA), Sherry Rout (ASPCA), Jeff Dorson (Humane Society Of Louisiana), Charlotte Bass Lilly and the lobbyist…

A lot of reporters covered the event and press conference. We already made it on ABC News (Channel 4 in Louisiana). Everyone, please watch for anything else as I was not home in time for the news. Hopefully Times-Picayune will pick it up along with many more print and broadcast media outlets. I've received calls from radio stations and newspapers on this today so this did work!

I was not able to capture today's rally on camera. I did tape the one news spot seen so far, on VHS for whatever good that does anyone…
Shannon Moore was an angel for animals with many great achievements, we will miss her everyday 591x310
Senator Fontenot was so pleased and such a nice man. With everyone's support, we successfully drew attention to Katrina animal victims and why SB-607, Louisiana Pet Evacuation Bill, must become law. Thank YOU, Brenda, for the time and effort you gave to SB-607 and Katrina evacuees traumatized by the loss of their animals, like John Bozes. He was in the midst of a long press interview when I left. He will do great tomorrow (when he testifies for a Senate Hearing). Again, thank you with all my heart. I could have never done this by myself. Shannon
On May 30, 2006 – just a few weeks after this report – Shannon Moore took her own life. I will never fully recover from shock and grief related to her death. Revisiting these Katrina pages brings her to life. But the world, especially for animals, is a shade darker without her here. Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle

For Shannon, Thoughts And Images
~  Memorial Guest Book
~  I Forgot To Tell You
~  Memories Of Shannon Blog
~  Photos Of Shannon
~  Photos: People & Pets Rally

Please Do Not Shoot Her

John Bozes, Senate Testimonial
My name is John Bozes. I am a former resident of St. Bernard Parish and I am here to ask you to pass the Pet Evacuation Bill so that when there is another disaster, our pets can travel safely with us to designated shelters and not be left behind to perish because of improper emergency planning.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed Southeast Louisiana, leaving St. Bernard Parish a waterlogged marshland. A very large percentage of residents did not evacuate to shelters outside the parish because we did not want to leave our pets behind and were told we could not evacuate with them.

About my medical situation at the time, I had just been released from the hospital and couldn't drive because of my medical condition. The other occupant of my home, my elderly father, is no longer licensed to drive. I had been disabled for three months and was without the income to even fill my vehicle with gasoline, let alone charter a vehicle to transport my family and pets. Obviously, public transportation was not a pet-friendly option. Later I came to find that although some generous gas companies were offering free fuel, this was not widely known nor broadcast through media. It seems that this was yet another flaw of the emergency broadcast system.

My 2-1/2 year old black lab, Angel Girl, was a hero who saved the lives of myself and my family. If she had not woken me from sleep, my family would've drowned. The water was over the roof when she led us out the door.

After the levee breach, my father, sister and nephew's girlfriend were rescued by boat from the roof of our Violet, LA home thanks to brave St. Bernard residents who took us to St. Bernard High School. My brother-in-law and nephew stayed behind with four dogs and eight birds.

That Tuesday night, my brother-in-law Gene and his son Robert Christopher – along with our family's four dogs Angel Girl, Bullet, Daisy, and Honey – were boated to PGT Beauregard Middle School. Gene saw other animals there and thought pets were safe until water went down. On Wednesday, St. Bernard Sheriff's Office Deputies ordered us to leave the school. We were forbidden to take pets. A St. Bernard Sheriff's Office Deputy assured us "your pets will be rescued." I wrote a note on the school wall pleading for Angel's safekeeping. I wrote "she is a good girl." Others wrote similar notes with contact information, hoping that the Deputy's word would be kept.

One week after Hurricane Rita evacuations, my sister Carol, her family, and I were in a hotel. A dear friend searching for Angel advised me to watch CNN that evening at 10:00 pm. We saw Anderson Cooper break a story called Dog Killings at Three St. Bernard Parish Schools. The crew first filmed room 203 at PGT Beauregard Middle School. What we saw was devastating.


The camera trailed rescue teams as they opened the door. The first dog seen: My sister's husky mix, Bullet. Bullet had not been rescued as promised. Bullet was dead. In the next room, the camera showed my Angel Girl and Honey, both shot to death.


The next Saturday my sister Carol, her husband Gene Hamm, and I drove back to St. Bernard Parish for the first time since Katrina. Our first stop was PGT Beauregard Middle School. We went to the room where Gene was forced to leave our dogs. The sight was beyond words, my worst nightmare. When I saw my beloved Angel in a pool of her blood, I knelt down beside her, crying. I asked aloud, "Why did this happen and who did it?" On my knees in her blood, I told her I was sorry that I was forced to leave her and could not save her. I kissed Angel's forehead. Carol and Gene also spoke to their dead dog Bullet.

I still have nightmares about what happened and I picture this all too often in my head. I still lay awake at night crying because Angel Girl was all I had.

This bill must be passed so that our pets can be rescued alongside their human family members and not murdered by unprepared law enforcement agents or people who do not like animals nor understand our family bonds with them. Also, the bill will ensure that well-meaning rescuers do not misplace our pets in other states where name tags and paperwork have gone missing during the chaos.

Before I close, I would like to call attention to the three empty leashes that I carry today. They represent my family's three dogs, killed in St. Bernard Parish. It is for the love of these dogs that I am here today.

Right Photo Collage: Pasado's Safe Haven cofounder Mark Steinway comforts John Bozes at a 2008 memorial, PGT Beauregard Middle School. Bozes' dog Angel Girl, along with relatives' dogs Bullet and Honey, were shot dead in the school. Evacuees forced to flee without animals left food/water, treats, collars…with notes that begged authorities to save them.
John Bozes holds Angel Girl and Bullet photo, family dogs shot dead in St Bernard school massacre 267x400 Angel Girl, Bullet and others were shot execution style by law officers 267x306 Memorial for animals slaughtered post Katrina in St Bernard Parish streets and schools 360x570

Louisiana Voters: Lobby For SB-607

Calls and letters are wonderful, but showing up at your legislators' offices really counts. You vote. They get elected. So constituents have their ear. If it feels intimidating, go in pairs. Ask that your visit be recorded, along with your stance on Louisiana's pending Pet Evacuation Bill. Most offices have a guest book, or a staff member tallies calls, visits, letters, email.

Do's and Don'ts of Lobbying
  • Do know who represents you at all government levels. Find your state and federal reps.
  • Do identify yourself by name and organization, if applicable.
  • Do state a clear objective. Say canned hunts should be banned (specific), not just that outrageous hunting practices should stop (too broad). Explain terms that may be unfamiliar: canned, pound seizure, class B dealers, etc. Emotional words – violent training of circus animals is inexcusable – may reflect how you feel, but don't convey action officials can take.
  • If possible, link the issue to a personal experience or a situation in the elected official's district.
  • Do know prior actions an official has taken on behalf of animals.
  • Do get to know your elected officials. Try to appear at their town meetings and events.
  • Do emphasize funding for animal issues. Tell officials this is how you want your tax dollars spent.
  • Do join, create, or revitalize statewide groups to give your cause more clout.
  • Do develop a workable relationship with key experts who can influence animal outcomes. Animal control officers, veterinarians, state wildlife board members, prosecuting attorneys, and health officials have major impact on animal protection bills. Legislators listen to their views.
  • Do join forces with other groups that may share your position even if for different reasons – churches, teachers, chambers of commerce, local universities, or specific industries.
  • Do wear many hats, not just your animal advocate hat. Identify yourself as a parent, businessperson, campaign contributor, or fellow church/club/team member.
  • Do work with legislative staff. Staff speak to your reps regularly and often advise on policy.
  • Do get involved in legislative campaigns. Volunteer, display a campaign sign, leaflet, etc.
  • Do work with your local press. Develop relationships with friendly reporters and editors.
  • Do respond to action alerts from animal advocacy organizations.

  • Don't threaten, antagonize or make enemies.
  • Don't refer to bills by numbers alone. State: SB-607 Louisiana Pet Evacuation Bill.
  • Don't ignore an elected official's comments. If asked how a bill impacts jobs, medical care, or the budget, find ways to address those issues.
  • Don't overwhelm with too much information or paperwork. Legislators don't have time.
  • Don't be inflexible. If compromises don't harm animals, consider the situation. Learn strategies that might save a doomed bill such as sunset provisions, grand fathering clauses, and codifying provisions as regulation (rule) instead of a statute (law).
    Source: Humane Society Of The U.S.

More LA Animal Legislation

HB-1146: Large Birds In Cruelty Law
Source: Humane Society Of Louisiana

Over the last few years, we've investigated numerous complaints about mistreatment and neglect of large birds such as swans, peacocks and rarities (ostriches, emus and rheas). Since these fowl are neither classified as native, migratory nor songbirds, they lack state and federal protection. We asked Representative Warren Triche to introduce House Bill 1146, which amends the definition of animals to include large birds in state cruelty statutes, under R.S. 14. 102.1.

HB 1146 will be heard in the Administration of Criminal Justice. To support this bill:
  • Call the House switchboard, 225-342-6945.
  • Leave the same message for 3 separate legislators.
  • Ask legislators to vote in favor of House Bill 1146.

Contact Representatives of the Criminal Justice Administration:

Daniel Martiny, Chair, larep079@legis.state.la.us
Alex Heaton, Vice Chair, larep095@legis.state.la.us
Ernest Wooton, larep105@legis.state.la.us
Jane Smith, larep008@legis.state.la.us
Errol Romero, larep048@legis.state.la.us
Arthur Morrell, larep097@legis.state.la.us
Eric LaFleur, larep038@legis.state.la.us
Charles DeWitt, larep025@legis.state.la.us
Donald Cravins Jr., larep040@legis.state.la.us
Donald Cazayoux, larep18@legis.state.la.us
Beverly Bruce, larep007@legis.state.la.us
Damon Baldone, larep053@legis.state.la.us
Mack "Bodi" White, larep064@legis.state.la.us