§ 7-81. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicated 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 to provide for its proper care, sustenance, shelter and medical care.

Animal means every nonhuman species of animal, both domestic and wild.

Animal control shelter means any facility operated by Tangipahoa Parish Department of Animal Control or its unauthorized agents, for the purpose of impounding animals under the authority of this article or state law for care, confinement, return to owner, adoption or euthanasia, by the department's director, agents and employees. The Tangipahoa Parish Department of Animal Control has jurisdiction throughout the entire geographical area of Tangipahoa Parish including all municipalities.

Animal control officer means any person designated by the Tangipahoa Parish Council or its authorized agents as a law enforcement officer who is qualified to perform such duties as specified under this article and the laws of this state and has received a law enforcement commission.

At large means an animal shall be deemed to be at large if it is not under the restraint of a person capable of controlling it and off the premises of its owner or designated keeper.

Exceptions: Hunting or stock dogs, show dogs and cats, government or law enforcement dogs actively being worked or other animals being worked or shown under the physically present supervision of their owners or agents or employees of owners are excepted.

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

Commercial animal establishment means any pet shop, grooming shop, private shelter, commercial or private boarding, training or breeding kennel, riding school or stable, zoological park or performing animal exhibition. Veterinary medical facilities are exempt from this definition.

Commercial kennel or cattery means any premises wherein any person engages in the business of boarding, breeding, buying, letting for hire, training for a fee, or selling dogs or cats, not including veterinary hospital or clinics.

Domestic animal means a tame animal that is of a species bred, raised, and adapted to live in or about the habitation of people, and is kept by people for pleasure or utility, excluding any animal otherwise classified here as wild or exotic.

Exotic animal means all species of vertebrate animals not naturally occurring, either presently or historically, in the United States, including hybrids thereof.

Feral means a domestic species of animal which has reverted to or which exists in an untamed state and is unsocialized to humans.

Owner means any person, partnership, corporation, company or other legal entity having the right of property or custody of an animal or who keeps harbors, or knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about his/her/their/its premises and therefore herein shall be deemed the owner of the animal.

Public nuisance means any animal that unreasonably annoys humans, endangers the health, safety or life of other animals or persons, or substantially interferes with the rights of citizens, other than their owners, to enjoyment of life or property. The term "public nuisance animal" shall mean and include, but is not limited to, any animal that:

(1)

Is repeatedly found at large.

(2)

Damages the property of anyone other than its owner.

(3)

Molests or intimidates pedestrians or passersby.

(4)

Chases motor vehicles.

(5)

Excessively makes noises of such loudness, intensity and duration as to prevent or interfere with a person's ability to enjoy his property, when that person is in close proximity to the premises where that animal is kept or harbored, including but not limited to, situations where:

a.

On more than one occasion has awakened the complainant up from sleep; or

b.

Continues in such a manner so as to cause mental anguish or suffering, loss of sleep or a disturbance of the peace.

Such noises include but are not limited to: continued and repeated howling, barking or whining.

(6)

Is kept or harbored in unsanitary conditions in enclosures or surroundings such that the conditions interfere with another person's enjoyment of his/her/their/its property and/or poses a threat to public health and/or comfort.

(7)

Is offensive or dangerous to the public health, safety or welfare by virtue of the number and/or types of animals kept or harbored.

(8)

Attacks, bites or injures other domestic animals without adequate provocation.

(9)

Scratches on or digs into or eliminates/defecates upon lawns, shrubs, buildings or any property either public or private other than the property of the owner or keeper of the animal.

(10)

Is found to be a public nuisance as declared by the animal control officer after an investigation is made following a complaint of bad behavior.

Restraint means secured by a leash or lead and under the control of the owner, trainer, or designated keeper and obedient to that person's commands, or within the real property limits of its owner or designated keeper.

Severely injured means any animal which because of major trauma, broken bones, blood loss or other easily apparent life-threatening condition, will not be expected to live and is in severe pain or suffering.

Stray animal means any animal that is found to be unsupervised and/or roaming freely upon a public street, alleyway, highway, common or public square which is found, observed or impounded while at large or secured by a complainant and not physically wearing a rabies license tags or other means of readily visible identification.

Tangipahoa Parish Department of Animal Control ("animal control department") means a law enforcement department established under the authority of Tangipahoa Parish Council in conjunction with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff for the purpose of enforcing the parish animal control ordinance and other pertinent laws pertaining to animals, thereby protecting animals and preserving public health and safety. The animal control shelter and all department employees are included in this definition.

Terminally ill means any animal that, because of apparent sickness or physical condition, is not expected to live and is in dire physical distress.

Veterinary hospital means any establishment for surgery, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injures of animals which is privately maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian.

Vicious animal means any animal that attacks, bites or injures humans or domestic animals without adequate provocation.

Wild animal means any living member of the animal kingdom, including those born or raised in captivity, occurring naturally either presently or historically within the boundaries of the United States except humans, domestic dogs (excluding hybrids with wolves, coyotes or other non-domestic canis), domestic cats (excluding hybrids with ocelots, margays, or other non-domestic felines), livestock, commonly domesticated cavies (guinea pigs), domesticated strains of mice, rats or gerbils, domesticated members of the species Oryctolagus cuniculus (rabbits chinchillas) domestic ferrets, and captive—bred species of common cage birds.

(Ord. No. 18-15, 5-29-28)