§ 14:215. Issuance and revocation of animal establishment permits.

(a)

The animal control and rescue center director shall conduct all inspections of animal establishments, and the animal control and rescue center shall issue permits in compliance with this part and revoke permits for establishments not in compliance with this part.

(b)

The animal control and rescue center shall have the right of entry, at reasonable hours, on premises affected by this title and into all areas where animals are kept and maintained, for inspection to ascertain if the permittee is in compliance with the standards as set forth in section 14:214. Failure of the owner to comply with the standards as stated therein shall be cause for the revocation of the permit and/or a misdemeanor summons to be issued.

(c)

If the animal control and rescue center, after inspection, determines that the permittee is in violation of this part, it shall advise the permittee in writing of the violations and shall further inform the permittee that its failure to comply with the standards as provided in section 14:214 shall be cause for the removal of animals from such premises or areas and/or a misdemeanor summons may be issued. The animal control and rescue center shall give the permittee fourteen (14) days from receipt of the written notice to comply with the standards. Extended periods may be granted for good cause shown. If it shall be necessary for the animal control and rescue center to remove or cause to be removed any animals as provided herein, it shall return the animals to the permittee upon compliance with this part. The permittee shall compensate the animal control and rescue center or boarder at the daily rate per animal.

(d)

Any person aggrieved by the decision of the animal control and rescue center regarding violations of this part and its decision to suspend or revoke the permit upon the failure of the permittee to comply with this part, may take an appeal to a court of competent jurisdiction with fifteen (15) days of receipt of written notification. The decision of the animal control and rescue center and/or the animal establishments committee shall be final unless appealed within the time and in the manner as set forth above.

(e)

If an applicant is shown to have withheld or falsified any material information on his application, the animal control and rescue center may refuse to issue a permit or license or may revoke a permit or license.

(f)

A person denied a permit may not reapply for a permit until after a period of thirty (30) days has elapsed. Each application shall disclose any previous denial or revocation and shall be accompanied by a fee as set forth in this part.

(g)

The animal establishment permit shall be displayed in a conspicuous place, so as to be plainly visible to any member of the general public.

(h)

Any animal establishment selling avians, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, rabbits or other small animals must make a substantial effort to educate the prospective owner on the environmental and dietary requirements of each species being considered. Written materials regarding environmental and dietary requirements of said species and general counseling shall be considered as adequate educational tools.

(i)

No pet shop or animal establishment may sell a wild or exotic animal as defined in this title. Any pet shop or animal establishment that sells avians, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, rabbits or other small mammals shall post a sign in a conspicuous place and manner and in plain view of the general public, supplied by the animal control and rescue center stating:

"All living creatures have specific dietary and environmental needs. The East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control And Rescue Center recommends consultation with the seller and careful evaluation of an owner's responsibilities towards these animals prior to purchase."

(j)

No turtle with a carapace of less that four (4) inches may be offered for sale by any animal establishment.

(k)

The sale, ownership or possession of poisonous snakes in the parish, except by an institution of higher education, zoo, or governmental agency is prohibited.

(l)

The sale, possession or ownership of any venomoid snakes in the parish, except by an institution of higher education, zoo, or governmental agency is prohibited.

(m)

The animal control director shall be empowered to inspect and issue temporary permits that shall be valid, unless revoked, until the annual inspection occurs.

(n)

It shall be unlawful for any animal establishment to offer for sale or trade any animal that is known or suspected to be ill, sick, injured, diseased or the carrier of a disease.

(o)

Animal establishments shall keep all sick, injured, or diseased animals in a separate area away from healthy animals until they become healthy or are destroyed.

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