Éliane Rigaux was elected president of the Society for the Protection of Animals of Périgueux (SPA) in March 2012. This Monday, December 16, she chose to resign, as “Sud Ouest” announced a few moments before the start of the meeting general of the association. “I was planning to continue until the end of my mandate in 2025 but that is no longer possible,” breathes the volunteer, seeming to have a heavy heart.
The last episode of a psychodrama that has lasted for several months. At the end of February, nine of the 11 members of the board of directors (CA) voted unilaterally to postpone the association's annual general meeting, which was to take place on March 9. In the process, the same people tried to impose on Éliane Rigaux the organization of an extraordinary CA whose purpose would have been her dismissal.
“Tendency to decide alone”
The “79-year-old granny”, as she calls herself, is no longer unanimous and her human management is called into question. “Madame Rigaux has an unfortunate tendency to present volunteers and employees with a fait accompli, to decide alone,” regrets Emmanuelle Jean, former treasurer, without denigrating the actions that were carried out under her presidency.
“I put cats and dogs above all else, so for the sustainability of the association, I requested the appointment of a provisional judicial administration,” Éliane Rigaux responds today. No one heard from me again. But in the association, it continued. Things came back to my ears. »
“Wash your honor”
Members allegedly called her a “thief” and said “she belonged in prison” during a meeting she did not attend. These comments were reported to him. “We therefore filed a complaint for insult and defamation,” explains Me Réda Hammouche, Éliane Rigaux’s lawyer. “We will go to the end to clear his honor. If shame doesn't stop these people, we will bring them to justice. »
“I am disgusted,” continues the resigner. When someone accuses you, what can you do? I did my job for the animals, I'm proud of it, and I don't want to be tainted in the mud. »What will the septuagenarian do now? “I will stay in animal protection in another way, I want to do it. This is my fight. And I wish the SPA good luck! »
The balance sheet
Despite the ban on the press from attending the AGM (covering 2023), “Sud Ouest” was able to follow the discussions through volunteers who left their phones on. It appears that the association now has 11 employees, including 8 on permanent contracts. Financial health is good, since the administrator spoke of the “war chest” of 1.6 million euros in the bank (made up of legacies and successive positive results). The dog pound had less activity in 2023 (-33%); for cats, there is an increase of 3%.
14 candidates applied for the board of directors. 12 are elected. Monday evening, they had to choose their president, but their decision was not yet known at the time of our closing.