§ 8-68. Impounding or destruction of dogs and cats bitten or scratched by known rabid animals.

(a)

When a dog or cat has been bitten or scratched by a known rabid animal and the dog or cat is currently vaccinated with an approved rabies serum:

(1)

The owner shall have the dog or cat examined by a licensed veterinarian and revaccinated.

(2)

The veterinarian shall submit a written report to the department as to the health of such animal.

(3)

The owner shall place the dog or cat that has been bitten in strict isolation for a 90-day period.

(4)

The dog or cat may be isolated with a licensed veterinary clinic or at the owner's home with the approval of the director after inspection of the home isolation facility. If the owner elects to isolate the animal on his premises, the director shall inspect the security of the animal without notice at least once each week. If the security of the animal is not as approved by the director, the animal shall be seized and transported to the Caddo Parish Animal Shelter and the owner shall be subject to the penalties set forth in section 8-7 and applicable fees set forth in section 8-73.

(5)

The owner shall have the dog or cat examined by a licensed veterinarian at the expiration of the 90-day isolation period, and the veterinarian shall submit a written report to the director as to the health of such dog or cat.

(6)

If the owner of the dog or cat does not desire to have it isolated, he may surrender it to the department for euthanization, after which the head of such animal shall be submitted to the department of health and human resources for analysis.

(b)

When a dog or cat is bitten or scratched by a known rabid animal and the dog or cat is not currently vaccinated with an approved rabies serum, the owner shall have the dog or cat humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian or the department and the head of such animal submitted to the state department of health and human resources for analysis; or alternatively, the owner shall have the dog or cat placed in isolation for a period of six months at a licensed veterinary clinic, which shall examine such animal, render a written report on the health thereof to the department. The department shall cause such dog or cat to be euthanized and the head of such animal shall be submitted to the department of health and human resources laboratory for analysis.

(c)

If the dog or cat should become sick during a period of isolation after being bitten by a known rabid animal, the owner, if the dog or cat is isolated on the owner's premises, or the veterinarian, if the dog or cat is isolated at a veterinary clinic, shall immediately advise the department. The department shall cause such dog or cat to be euthanized and the head of such animal shall be submitted to the department of health and human resources laboratory for analysis.

(d)

Guard dogs must be kept within a structure or a fenced enclosure at all times. Any premises guarded by a dog shall be prominently posted with a sign containing the wording "guard dog" or words of similar import. It shall be the owner's responsibility to immediately notify Caddo Parish Animal Services when a guard dog has escaped and is running at large.

( Ord. No. 5580 , 5-19-2016)