§ 6:670. Inspection.

(a)

The director of mosquito abatement and rodent control or his designees shall have the right to inspect any apiary between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Where practicable, prior notice shall be given to the beekeeper if he resides at the apiary or if his name is marked on the hives.

(b)

If upon inspection, it is determined that the bees are unusually aggressive so as to pose an immediate threat of bodily harm or death to humans or animals, the inspector shall have the right to have the bees destroyed immediately without the necessity of a hearing. Written notice that the bees have been destroyed shall be given to the beekeeper by certified mail or personal delivery. If the beekeeper is not able to be located, then notice may be given by publication one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation. The beekeeper shall have five (5) days from receipt of the notice, or from the publication of same, to request a hearing. Once a hearing is requested, the notification procedures in section 6:671 shall be followed. If the hearing officer finds that the bees were unusually aggressive so as to pose an immediate threat of bodily harm or death to humans or animals, then the destruction shall be deemed to have been necessary and the city-parish shall not be liable for damages. If, however, the hearing officer finds that no such threat existed, then the city-parish shall reimburse the beekeeper for all monetary damages directly caused by the destruction. The determination of the hearing officer shall be final unless appealed to the district court within five (5) days of the signing of the decision.

(Ord. No. 9449, § 1, 6-24-92; Ord. No. 10500, § 1, 11-8-95)