§ 14:203. Minimum requirements for dog and cat pens and yards.

(a)

Minimum requirements for dog and cat pens: Dog and cat pens shall meet the following minimum requirements:

(1)

Pen floors shall be constructed of concrete or other impervious material and shall be constructed so as to prevent animal escape.

(2)

Dogs housed in any primary enclosure shall be provided, as a minimum, floor space equal to the mathematical square of the sum of the length of the dog in inches as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of its tail plus six (6) inches, expressed in square feet. Cats housed in a primary enclosure shall be provided a minimum of two and one-half (2½) square feet of floor space.

(3)

Dog pens shall be sloped to a drain connected to a sanitary sewer or an approved individual sewerage system. This requirement shall not apply to dog pens containing less than two (2) dogs.

(4)

Dog pens shall be equipped with a curb at least three (3) inches high around the perimeter. The top of the curb shall be at such elevation that the surrounding surface water cannot drain into the pen.

(5)

Dog pens shall be provided with a hose bib and water under pressure.

(6)

a.

All dog pens shall be hosed down, thoroughly cleaned and disinfected as often as needed and in no case less than once a day.

b.

It shall be unlawful for any person keeping or harboring animals to fail to keep the dog or cat pen where such animals are kept free from offensive odors to the extent that such odors are disturbing to any person residing within reasonable proximity of said premises.

c.

It shall be unlawful to allow animals or pens where animals are kept to become infested with ticks or fleas or other animal-related parasites, by failing to diligently and systematically apply accepted methods of insect/parasite control as indicated.

(7)

Dog pens shall be located a minimum of ten (10) feet from the nearest property line and a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any residence other than that of the owner.

(8)

The pen must meet all subdivision restrictions or zoning laws or ordinances.

(9)

The above requirements shall only apply to pens located in recognized subdivisions in the parish.

(10)

Pens located outside of a recognized subdivision shall meet the specifications as set forth in (2), (6), (7), and (8) of this subsection.

(11)

Town houses, apartments or condominiums need only comply with paragraphs (2), (6)b. and c. of this section.

(12)

The animal control and rescue center shall be empowered to order all animals removed from affected pens until the owner comes into compliance with this section. The animal shelter shall be entitled to charge a reasonable boarding fee for animals so held, to be set and published in accordance with section 14:101.1 of this title.

(13)

Animal establishments are exempt from the requirements of this section.

(14)

This section shall only take effect upon receipt by the director of the animal control and rescue center, of a written complaint stating what the problem is and the name, address, and phone number of the complainant.

(b)

Minimum requirements for dog and cat yards:

(1)

It shall be unlawful for any person keeping or harboring animals to fail to keep the premises or dog or cat yard where such animals are kept, free from offensive odors to the extent that such odors are disturbing to any person residing within reasonable proximity of said premises.

(2)

It shall be unlawful to allow the premises or dog or cat yards where animals are kept to become unclean and a threat to the public health or comfort by failing to diligently and systematically remove all animal waste and fecal material from the premises.

(3)

It shall be unlawful to allow dogs or cats or premises where dogs or cats are kept to become infested with ticks, fleas, flies or other animal-related parasites, by failing to diligently and systematically apply accepted methods of insect/parasite control as indicated.

(4)

Dog yards shall be fenced in such a manner as to prevent escape of the animal.

(5)

Proper invisible fencing shall have warning signs posted on all sides of the dog yard warning persons that a dog is present. Signs shall be plainly marked and visible. Dogs in estrus and dangerous dogs or dogs that have escaped in the past and threatened or bitten a human or other animal are banned from utilizing this system. Electric fences are illegal. Animals that escape more than once may not be allowed to utilize this system at the discretion of the director of the animal control and rescue center.

(6)

Tethers used to restrict the animal to the confines of its owner's property shall be minimum length of five (5) times the length of the animal, as measured from the nostrils to the base of the tail. Tethers shall restrict the animal to its owner's property. The area shall be kept free of obstructions to prevent entanglement. No tethered animal shall be allowed to endanger the health, safety or welfare of others.

(7)

The animal control and rescue center shall be empowered to order all animals removed from the affected premises and dog and cat yards until the owner comes into compliance with this section. The animal shelter shall be entitled to charge a reasonable boarding fee for animals so held.

(8)

This section shall only take effect upon receipt by the director of animal control and rescue center of a written complaint stating what the problem is and the name, address, and phone number of the complainant.

(Ord. No. 9634 § 1, 5-26-93; Ord. No. 9766, § 3, 11-24-93; Ord. No. 15237, § 1, 1-11-12)