§ 14:212. Dog and cat bite cases.

(a)

Dog and cat bite case in general:

(1)

The breaking of the skin of a human being by a dog or cat shall be considered a bite case; except that if a dog or cat which is currently vaccinated and licensed scratches a human being, that animal shall not be required to be held for observation. All unvaccinated dog or cat scratch cases shall be held for observation. Stray dogs or cats may be sacrificed for testing or held for ten (10) days' observation.

(2)

All bite cases shall be reported to the animal control and rescue center or to the city police department or parish sheriff's office as soon as possible and in no case more than twenty-four (24) hours after such bite. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of the animal and/or the person bitten to report such fact to the proper authorities as stated above.

(3)

Any dog or cat that has bitten a human shall be impounded at the animal shelter or licensed veterinarian of the owner's choice in the for a period of not less than ten (10) days from the date of the bite.

(4)

Any dog or cat which is suspected of being rabid may be destroyed and its head shall be submitted for proper testing at a suitable facility or may be held for ten (10) days' rabies observation at a licensed veterinarian or at the animal shelter.

(5)

No animal shall be held for ten (10) days' rabies observation outside of the without the prior approval of the director of the animal control and rescue center.

(6)

Any dog or cat in violation of this title at the time of the bite shall be cause for said animal to be impounded and taken to the animal shelter. After any applicable fees or fines are paid in cash, the animal may then be transferred to a veterinarian by an agent of the animal control and rescue center for the remainder of the ten-day period.

(7)

In the event of extenuating circumstances, an animal control officer may permit the owner to produce proof, within twenty-four (24) hours of the bite, that the animal was currently licensed and vaccinated and not at large at the time of the bite, before requiring that the animal be delivered to a licensed veterinarian in the parish.

(8)

No animal shall be returned to the owner prior to the expiration of the ten-day observation period.

(9)

The day of the bite shall be considered day one (1) of the observation period.

(10)

All animals shall be released by a licensed veterinarian after the ten-day observation period, either at the animal shelter or within twenty-four (24) hours after being redeemed by the owner. Results of the post-rabies observation examination and the name and location of the attending veterinarian shall be reported to the animal control and rescue center within twenty-four (24) hours after redemption, or the end of the ten-day rabies observation period.

(11)

Animals shall be redeemed by the owner within twenty-four (24) hours after the ten-day observation period is finished. Failure to redeem animals within this time period shall be cause for the animal shelter to dispose of said animal, in the reasonable discretion of the animal shelter, as they would then be considered abandoned and shall be property of the animal shelter.

(12)

Stray animals may be disposed of after the expiration of the ten-day observation period or may be sacrificed for testing at the reasonable discretion of the animal shelter.

(13)

All animals which have broken the skin of a human being and are found dead are to be immediately impounded and their heads sent to the parish health agency or appropriate facility for rabies examination.

(14)

When an animal, not otherwise in violation of this title and upon being provoked, breaks the skin of a human being, there will be no fees applicable if the animal is held for observation at the animal shelter.

(b)

In-home rabies observation:

(1)

The animal control and rescue center may consider in-home ten (10) days' rabies observation only if the following criteria are met:

a.

The owner of the animal agrees to the in-home observation and signs a form recognizing such agreement.

b.

The animal was in full compliance with the requirements under sections 14:200 and 14:201 at the time of the bite.

c.

The animal was not at large at the time of the bite.

d.

The owner signs an indemnity clause holding the animal control and rescue center, animal shelter, and city-parish harmless from any and all liability which might arise while the animal is undergoing in- home observation.

e.

The animal control and rescue center may inspect the facilities at any time to determine compliance.

f.

The animal is secured on the property at all times during observation in a room, pen, or other structure to prevent escape and contact with other animals or humans other than the owner.

g.

Animals shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian within twenty- four (24) hours after the end of the observation period, and the animal control and rescue center shall be notified of release within twenty- four (24) hours thereof.

h.

The animal control and rescue center shall be notified within twenty-four (24) hours if the animal dies, escapes or becomes ill during the observation period.

i.

If the animal control and rescue center observes any violation of this exception, the animal shall then be seized and taken to the animal shelter or a licensed veterinary facility; and the owner may be issued a summons for violation of this part.

(2)

All law enforcement agencies are exempt from this requirement. Vaccination status of all K-9 or enforcement dogs shall be retained by the agency involved.

(Ord. No. 9634 § 1, 5-26-93; Ord. No. 9766, §§ 5, 6, 11-24-93; Ord. No. 15237, § 1, 1-11-12)