§ 4-1. Definitions.

When used in this chapter, the following words, terms and phrases, and their derivations shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, including all articles and sections hereof, except where the content clearly indicates a different meaning:

Animal means any living domestic or wild creature.

Animal control agency means the Vermilion Parish Police Jury's Department and/or designee which performs animal control functions.

At large means an animal that is not under the direct control of the owner.

Circus means a nonresident variety show which features animal acts.

Dangerous dog means any dog which has exhibited any one (1) of the following characteristics, or meets the breeding requirements found in subsection (4) hereof:

(1)

Any dog which when unprovoked engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog are off the property of the owner of the dog; or

(2)

Any dog which, when unprovoked, has aggressively bitten a person causing an injury; or

(3)

Any dog which, when unprovoked, on two (2) separate occasions within the prior thirty-six-month period, has killed, seriously bitten, inflicted injury, or otherwise caused injury to a domestic animal, excluding fowl of any type, off the property of the owner of the dog.

(4)

A rottweiler or pit bull terrier, which includes any dog or mixed breed of dog which contains either as an element of its breeding.

Direct control means immediate, continuous physical control of an animal such as by means of a leash, cord, secure fence, or chain of such strength to restrain the animal and controlled by a person capable of restraining the animal, or safe secure restraint within a vehicle. If the controlling person is at all times fully and clearly within unobstructed sight and bearing of the animal, voice control shall be considered direct control when the animal is actually participating in training or in an official showing, obedience, or field event. Direct control shall not be required of animals actually participating in a legal sport in an authorized area or to government police animals.

Impoundment means taking or picking up and confining of an animal by any police officer, animal control officer or any other public officer under the provisions of this chapter.

Kennel means any person not engaged in business, owning, harboring, keeping or maintaining four (4) or more animals over the age of six (6) months.

Livestock includes, but is not limited to, cattle, horses, donkeys, mules, sheep, swine, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese or other fowl.

Microchip identification tag means a duly licensed veterinarian-approved readable data storage device approved for implantation subcutaneously in animals.

Muzzle means a device constructed of strong, soft material or of metal designed to fasten over the mouth of an animal to prevent the animal from biting any person or other animal.

Owner means any person, partnership, corporation or other legal entity owning, harboring or keeping any livestock, or in the case of a person under the age of eighteen (18), that person's parent or legal guardian. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed, sheltered, or allowed to occupy one's property. This definition shall not apply to any veterinary clinic or boarding kennel.

Presumption of ownership. One who harbors an animal shall be presumed to be the owner thereof.

Restraint means an animal secured by a leash, led under the control of a person physically capable of restraining the animal and obedient to that person's commands, or securely enclosed within the real property limits of the owner's premises.

Secure enclosure means a fence or structure suitable to prevent the entry of young children, and which is suitable to confine a dangerous dog in conjunction with other measures which may be taken by the owner of the dog. At a minimum the enclosure must be not less than four (4) feet wide by ten (10) feet long by six (6) feet high have a concrete base with metal fencing imbedded therein and a locked gate. The enclosure shall be designed in order to prevent the animal from escaping, either by tunneling or climbing and shall include a roof if necessary.

Serious bodily injury means bodily injury which involves unconsciousness, extreme physical pain or protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty, or a substantial risk of death.

Under restraint means that an animal is muzzled and secured by a leash of not more than four (4) feet, led under the control of a person over eighteen (18) years of age who is physically capable of restraining the animal and obedient to that person's commands or securely enclosed within the property limits of the owner's premises.

Veterinary clinic or hospital means any establishment maintained and operated by a licensed veterinarian for the boarding of animals or the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals.

Vicious dog means any dog which when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner, inflicts serious bodily injury on or kills a human being and was previously determined to be a dangerous dog.

Wild or exotic animal means any mammal, reptile or fowl which is not naturally tame or gentle.

Zoological garden means any park or zoo operated by any person for the keeping of animals.

( Ord. No. 15-09 , 11-3-15; Ord. No. 18-03, 5-15-18 )