Latest news with #LDWF
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Animal lover nursed orphaned baby deer back to health...then Louisiana wildlife officials turned up and EUTHANIZED it
A Louisiana woman lovingly nursed a baby deer back to health before state officials removed the animal from her property and 'cruelly' euthanized it. Kimberly Graham, 63, of Greenburg, near Baton Rouge, rescued an injured fawn her granddaughter named BabyBelle after receiving an urgent call on July 27, she revealed in a Facebook post. She gave the small white-tailed animal fluids and bottle-fed it after it had been wandering around injured for two days. Four days into her caring for the fawn, the Louisiana Department Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) showed up after receiving a tip from someone who reportedly spotted the deer wearing a 'hunter's orange collar' around its neck. They stated that Graham was running an illegal deer rehabilitation center at her home, according to the report, which was viewed by WBRZ. After packing the baby deer up in a cat carrier, officials allegedly euthanized BabyBelle just 20 minutes later. 'He just outright said: "The deer was euthanized 20 minutes after leaving your house,"' she told the outlet. 'They allowed me to glove my hands, feed her a bottle and potty her before putting her in a cat kennel to take her off.' Graham had been hopeful the fawn would survive and be released back into the wild, as BabyBelle had made significant strides in just the four days in her care. 'In a moment of crisis, I did what I was trained to do and save a helpless, tiny life. I fought hard for her, administering drugs I use on my horses. My fight wasn't enough and she was destroyed by gunfire,' she claimed on Facebook. She called the incident 'incredibly cruel.' LDWF denied shooting the animal, but did not publicly release its method of euthanasia for BabyBelle. The LDWF report did say the animal was euthanized because she had spent too much time in captivity away from her mother and would be unable to survive on her own. State Representative Lauren Ventrella, who is also an attorney, is now representing Graham and they are hoping to reach an amicable resolution. They are calling for an oversight hearing to help change the process at a legislative level. 'You have to look at the humanity of the situation of what is right and what is just,' Ventrella said. 'We know what the law says, but we have to utilize some common sense and what is best for the people.' LDWF, however, said: 'Spotted fawns are especially vulnerable, so they are afforded heightened protection from private possession under the law. 'When we find illegally possessed captive wildlife, we make every effort to return them safely and humanely to their natural habitat. 'As part of that mission, LDWF enforces laws set by the legislature to keep wildlife wild and protected in its native habitat.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sheriff: Livingston Parish deputy accused of driving boat while intoxicated demoted
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office deputy arrested by agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) in March has been demoted. Cedric Brignac, 42, was charged with operating a vessel while impaired. LDWF said agents who were patrolling Lake Maurepas in Livingston Parish encountered him a few times before he almost crashed into a wooden barrier. He also had slurred speech. The incident report stated that Brignac's boat was near the agents. They could smell alcohol coming from his direction. The agents also saw beer cans scattered throughout the boat. According to the incident report, Brignac admitted to drinking 'about four Natural Lights' and continued to sway during field sobriety tests conducted onshore. Kenner Police make third arrest in connection to drugging death of news reporter Sheriff Jason Ard confirmed Brignac, formerly a Major in the Training Division, has been demoted to Captain. He was also cited for a first offense of operating a vessel while intoxicated. 'The off-duty incident was self-reported by Brignac (Training Division). The matter was turned over to the District Attorney's Office for processing – just as all other cases are,' Ard said. Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson sued on rape allegations, additional charges Pedestrian in serious condition after being hit on Airline Highway, police say Sheriff: Livingston Parish deputy accused of driving boat while intoxicated demoted EBRSO investigating shooting that left 1 hurt in Baton Rouge Denham Springs sports center offers cheer, gymnastics camps for summer Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Free fishing weekend in Louisiana allows catch without license
LOUISIANA (KTAL/KMSS) — The Annual Louisiana Free Fishing Weekend returns on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, Jun 8. Northwestern State University expanding club sports programs to meet student requests Free Fishing Weekend allows residents and visitors to fish without a fishing license. All other normal restrictions (size, season, catch limits, and gear) will still apply. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Tyler Bosworth explained, 'Each year, we designate a weekend of fishing with no need to purchase a fishing license as an incentive for families and friends to enjoy one of our state's most beloved pastimes.' LDWF will also offer events on June 7 to teach basic fishing skills. These include the things you need to know while preparing to catch fish, such as bait choice, tackle setup, casting, and knot tying, and fishing mechanics, such as techniques, landing, handling, and taking the fish off the hook. I-10 Park in Jennings, LA, will host a Get Out & Fish event from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers and LDWF biologists will provide instruction and assistance while guests fish a stocked pond. Equipment and bait will be provided while supplies last. LSUS Fishing connecting with community through seminars at senior care facilities LDWF will host two Intro to Fishing courses. The first will be at the Gretna City Park from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The second will be in New Orleans at Joe Brown Park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Both events will teach rigging, bait, and gear selection to new and out-of-practice anglers, followed by an hour of fishing with LDWF staff. The event is free, but requires registration. For Intro to Fishing, participants 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Participants 18 and older must have a valid fishing license. Shreveport Aquarium, Caddo Lake Institute to release more Paddlefish on March 2 Zemurray Park in Hammond will host a youth fishing rodeo with fishing, prizes, and resource booths for ages 5-15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. An offshore landing permit is still required when possessing tuna, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, cobia, wahoo, dolphinfish, and gray triggerfish, but it is free for the weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Livingston Parish deputy arrested, accused of driving boat while intoxicated
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested by agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) on March 22, 2025. Cedric Brignac, 42, was charged with operating a vessel while impaired. According to an incident report, agents were patrolling Lake Maurepas in Livingston Parish when they received complaints of illegal night hunting. Around 7 p.m., agents saw a vessel operated by Brignac traveling at a near standstill speed. After agents checked on Brignac and the passengers from a distance to make sure their boat was operating properly, they parted ways. Minutes after the encounter, LDWF agents heard a boat quickly approaching a 'No Wake Zone' near them. As the boat approached, they learned it was Brignac's boat. Brignac appeared confused as to why the agents were exiting the 'No Wake Zone.' The agents reported their boat was too tall to pass under the bridge, but suggested Brignac continue through the area. According to authorities, Brignac later showed signs of disorientation as he nearly crashed into a wooden boatway barrier and had slurred speech. The incident report states that Brignac's boat was close enough to the agents' that they could smell the odor of alcohol coming from Brignac's direction. The agents also saw beer cans scattered throughout the boat. Agents decided to conduct a boating safety check, which partly requires presenting life jackets and a fire extinguisher. While LDWF searched for the life jackets, Brignac struggled to keep his balance. At one point, agents asked Brignac if he had been drinking. He responded with, 'Yeah, about four Natural Lights.' Caregiver accused of punching, slapping and sitting on man at group home in Baton Rouge Agents took Brignac to the shore to conduct several more field tests. As he walked, he continued to sway and had a strong odor of alcohol. Brignac was taken to the Killian Police Department before being taken to the Livingston Parish Courthouse. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard released the following statement about the LDWF investigation. 'The off-duty incident was self-reported by Brignac (Training Division),' Ard said. 'The matter was turned over to the District Attorney's Office for processing, just as all other cases are. Disciplinary action by this department will be decided and administered at the conclusion of the DA's proceedings.' Former Baton Rouge mayor Kip Holden lies in state at City Hall Teacher accused of dropping cocaine at Lutcher school Tom Brady's new Vegas exhibit features Morgan Freeman, Oprah and Michael Jordan artifacts Taurine, common ingredient in food, linked to leukemia growth: study Gov. Landry signs executive order to improve security at parish jails, prisons Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
8 men accused of driving boats while intoxicated on Tickfaw, Blind River arrested
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and state troopers arrested eight people for DWI during the 2025 Tickfaw 200 Poker Run on May 2 and 3. They also issued several boating safety citations. On May 2, LDWF agents arrested Wallace Wolfe, 54, of Gonzales, Todd Bourgeois, 38, of Paulina, and Dustin Miller, 24, of Franklinton after allegedly operating a boat while impaired on the Blind River and Diversion Canal. Agents also arrested Brandon Lecompte, 43, of Youngsville on the Tickfaw River the same day. On May 3, Chase Hebert, 30, of Prairieville, was arrested and charged with a second-offense DWI on the Blind River. Three others—Courtland Ray, 31 of Livingston, Joseph Bardzilowski, 58, of South Dakota, and Stephen Holland, 29, of Kentwood—were also arrested on the Tickfaw River and charged with DWI. LDWF said Blake O. Comardelle, 31, of Maurice, was cited for careless operation of a vessel after being involved in a boating incident on May 2 that resulted in serious but non-life-threatening injuries to himself and a passenger. LDWF said anyone arrested for DWI on the water faces the same penalties as on the road. This includes losing both driving and boating privileges, fines, and possible jail time. Rapper 50 Cent visits Gov. Landry to discuss Louisiana projects Pope Leo XIV previously shared criticism of Trump administration on social media Trump pushes Republicans to have rich pay more taxes 8 men accused of driving boats while intoxicated on Tickfaw, Blind River arrested Changes made to Louisiana bill inspired by Make America Healthy Again movement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
