§ 10-1. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Abandon means to completely forsake and desert an animal previously under the custody or possession of a person without making reasonable arrangements for its proper care, sustenance and shelter for a period longer than 24 hours.

Animal means any living creature except human beings, including, but not limited to, mammals and reptiles, except when referring specifically to the control of rabies, when the word "animal" shall mean only mammals.

Animal shelter means the Ascension Parish Animal Control Shelter, located on U.S. Highway 61, Sorrento, Louisiana, as designated by the town as an official shelter.

At large. An animal shall be deemed to be at large if off the premises of its owner or keeper or not under the immediate control of a responsible person.

Bite means any abrasion, puncture, tear or piercing of the skin actually or suspected of being caused by an animal.

Chained means an animal tied to any stationery object or tethered to any stationery object such as a pole or tree.

Dangerous animal means:

(1)

Any animal that, when unprovoked, approaches in a dangerous or terrorizing manner any person in an apparent attitude of attack when not on its owner's property.

(2)

Any animal with known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack when unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals.

(3)

Any animal which bites, inflicts injury, assaults or otherwise attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation on public or private property.

(4)

Any animal owned or harbored primarily, or in part, for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for dog fighting.

Livestock means cattle, buffalo, bison, oxen, and other bovine; horses, mules, donkeys, and other equine; sheep; goats; swine; domestic rabbits; fish, turtles, and other animals identified with aquaculture that are located in artificial reservoirs or enclosures that are both on privately owned property and constructed so as to prevent, at all times, the ingress and egress of fish life from public waters; imported exotic deer and antelope, elk, farm-raised white-tailed deer, farm-raised ratites, and other farm-raised exotic animals; chickens, turkeys, and other poultry; and animals placed under the jurisdiction of the commissioner of agriculture and forestry and any hybrid, mixture, or mutation or any such animal.

Owner means any person, partnership, business, corporation, firm, investment stock company, association or other legal entity owning, keeping or harboring any animal or having in his care an animal on or about his premises.

Vaccination means inoculation with a recognized anti-rabies vaccine, approved by the state department of health and hospitals (DHH).

(Code 1997, § 10-1; Ord. No. 607-07, 10-8-2007)

State law reference

Similar provisions, R.S. 3:3002.