TINA BERNARD arrested after dozens of animals found in unsafe conditions at a property in St. Bernard Parish

- Louisiana, USA -

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office said that an investigation into animals who were found in unsafe and unhealthy conditions at a property in St. Bernard community resulted in the arrest of 59-year-old TINA BERNARD (pictured).

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann said the investigation was conducted by Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau in conjunction with investigators from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, St. Bernard Parish Government, and state-licensed veterinarians,

Authorities executed a search warrant at a property in the 1700 block of Robert Drive and discovered what they described as “severe animal neglect and cruelty.”

According to the press release by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, authorities found chickens, ferrets, horses, parrots, a pony and approximately forty-seven dogs.

Thirty-seven of the forty-seven dogs were inside the property while the other ten were located outside.

“Veterinarians on scene determined many of the animals were suffering from serious health concerns and were in danger of imminent death”, stated the press release.

At the time the press release was issued, fourteen dogs, five horses, and one pony had been removed from the property. St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann stated: “Authorities said animals requiring immediate medical attention were removed first, and additional animals are expected to be relocated as the investigation continues.”

After obtaining an arrest warrant, BERNARD was taken into custody on May 18, 2026, and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.

I have emailed Sheriff Pohlmann to inquire about the well-being of all of the animals. If I receive a response, I will post an update.

St. Bernard Parish President Louis Pomes published a Facebook post regarding this animal cruelty case. The post read:

“For some years now, St. Bernard Parish Government has been aware of ongoing concerns involving a residential property in the 1700 block of Robert Drive in St. Bernard where numerous animals were being kept, including horses, mules, ponies, dogs, cats, and birds. This matter, which predates the current Administration, has been the subject of repeated code enforcement and animal welfare-related complaints from neighboring property owners, concerned residents, and members of the public.

As concerns were raised over the years, Parish Government and the appropriate departments reviewed and investigated those complaints within the limits of our lawful authority. The property is zoned in a manner that allows certain agricultural and animal-related uses, and while the conditions and growing number of animals raised concerns, Parish Government was often limited by existing ordinances, zoning regulations, and the lawful authority granted to local government.

This situation has highlighted weaknesses and limitations within our current ordinances, and my Administration is committed to addressing those deficiencies with proactive measures to help ensure a situation like this never occurs again in St. Bernard Parish.

Additionally, the property has previously been the subject of compliance and code enforcement action. In 2024, a case regarding a dilapidated barn structure proceeded through the Parish Board of Administrative Adjudication process in accordance with Parish ordinances and procedures. The structure was ultimately demolished, and a lien was placed on the property related to those enforcement actions. Public records published just last week reflect an outstanding lien of approximately $4,200 associated with that matter. This is important to note because Parish Government has exercised its available authority regarding compliance issues tied to this property, though those actions had little corrective impact on the conditions or number of animals being kept there.

Over the past several weeks, concerns regarding animal welfare intensified significantly. Reports regarding the conditions of the animals and the increasing number being kept on the property prompted extensive coordination involving more than a dozen agencies and individuals. Staff and resources from the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Parish Animal Shelter, Humane Society, State Veterinarian’s Office, Louisiana Livestock Brand Commission, local veterinarians, rescue organizations, the Parish Council, and my Administration worked together to determine the most appropriate course of action.

As a result of that coordinated effort, search warrants were executed on the property on Monday, May 18, 2026, and the property owner, Tina Bernard, was subsequently arrested. At this stage, this is now a law enforcement matter, and I will defer to Sheriff Pohlmann regarding any additional details related to the criminal investigation. Parish Government does not possess law enforcement authority beyond code enforcement and compliance, and that compliance process has remained active and ongoing with this property, including into 2025.

In addition to the criminal investigation, a licensed local veterinarian has been directly involved on site and is coordinating with the Sheriff’s Office, Animal Shelter, and partner agencies to evaluate the animals and determine the appropriate next steps for each of them. There are many moving parts involved, and my Administration is grateful to every agency, organization, advocate, and especially the concerned citizens who remained relentless in bringing attention to this matter.

My Administration and I share the public’s concern, frustration, and desire to see this situation handled properly and lawfully. I want to reiterate that this matter is being carefully handled by the appropriate authorities and that meaningful, lasting change will come through public engagement, coordinated action, improvements to our ordinances, and allowing the proper investigative process to take place.

I understand and share the emotion surrounding issues of animal neglect and cruelty, and I sincerely appreciate the concern, advocacy, and involvement shown by so many residents and members of the surrounding community.

We will continue to stay engaged, cooperate fully, and provide updates as appropriate and available.”

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Mugshot shared from the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office.

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