"Dog Gone" Confusion In Mooringsport

A Mooringsport man is at odds with town officials over his pets. He has nearly 20 dogs in his backyard and thought he was in compliance with the new Caddo Parish Animal Ordinance. Bennie Baham has raised hog-hunting dogs at his home since he moved to Mooringsport six years ago. His backyard is filled with pittbulls, hounds and kerr dogs but he could soon be forced to move or get rid of them. Under the ordinance, residents can`t have more than four dogs without a special permit. It was granted to Baham after an investigation by animal control but it could soon become null and void. Mooringsport`s council will vote to adopt the parish`s animal ordinance on Thursday but it`s version includes two amended areas dealing with "non-commercial kennels" "We are not going to allow any non-commercial kennels in Mooringsport, " said Mayor Lynn Porter. When that version is passed everything Bennie has done to keep man`s best friend won`t matter because his kennels are located in a residential zone and the city will make the final decision. Baham says he`s spent more than 5-thousand dollars on fencing to comply with the ordinance. At Thursday night`s meeting, he will present a petition to the council his neighbors signed showing their support. That meeting starts at 6:30pm at Town Hall.