§ 14:213. Dog fighting.

(a)

No person shall intentionally do any of the following:

(1)

For amusement or gain, cause, allow, engage or make any dog fight with another dog or cause any dogs to injure each other.

(2)

Permit any act in violation of this part to be done on any premises under his charge or control, or aid or abet any such act.

(3)

Promote, stage, advertise, or be employed at a dog fighting exhibition.

(4)

Sell a ticket of admission or receive money for the admission of any person to any place used, or about to be used, for any activity described in paragraph (2).

(5)

Own, manage, or operate any facility kept or used for the purpose of dogfight.

(6)

Own or train a dog with the intent that the dog be used in an exhibition of dog fighting.

(7)

Attend as a spectator, observer, attender or witness an exhibition of dog fighting.

(8)

Bait, attack with violence, provoke or harass an animal with one (1) or more animals for the purpose of training an animal for or to cause or allow an animal to engage in fights with or among other animals.

(b)

Seizure of dogs and equipment used in dog fighting:

(1)

Any law enforcement officer may lawfully take possession of all dogs and all paraphernalia, implements, equipment or other property or things used or employed in violation of this section. Such officer, after taking possession of such dogs, paraphernalia, implements, equipment or other property or things, shall file with the court of the parish within which the alleged violation occurred an affidavit stating therein the name of the person charged, a description of the property so taken, and the time and place of the taking thereof, together with the name of the person who claims to own such property, if known, and that the affiant has reason to believe and does believe, stating the ground of such belief, that the property so taken was used or employed in such violation. He shall thereupon deliver the property so taken to such court which shall, by order in writing, place such dogs, paraphernalia, implements, equipment or other property in the custody of a licensed veterinarian or other suitable custodian, to be kept by such custodian until the conviction or final discharge of the accused and shall send a copy of such order without delay to the appropriate prosecutor. The veterinarian or custodian so named and designated in such order shall immediately thereupon assume the custody of such property and shall retain the same, subject to the order of the court before which the accused shall be required to appear for trial. Upon the certification of a licensed veterinarian that, in his professional judgment, a dog which has been seized is not likely to survive the final disposition of the charges or that, by reasons of the physical or temperamental condition of the dog, it should be humanely euthanized before such time, the court may order the dog humanely euthanized. The owner of a dog which is euthanized without an order of the court with such certification of a licensed veterinarian shall have a right of action for damages against the department or agency by which the arresting or seizing officer is employed. Upon conviction of the person so charged, all dogs so seized shall be adjudged by the court to be forfeited and the court shall order a humane disposition of same. In the event of the acquittal or final discharge, without conviction, of the accused, the court shall, on demand, direct the delivery of the property so held in custody to the owner thereof. All reasonable expenses incurred by the veterinarian or other party as custodian of seized dogs and property shall be charged as costs of court.

(2)

In the event no owner claims or can prove ownership of the dog within ten (10) days after such custody begins, the agency or individual, may, at their reasonable discretion, humanely dispose of the dog in custody. No agency or individual acting under the provisions of this subsection shall be held liable for civil or criminal damages.

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