§ 4-34. Definitions

[For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section.]

Adult dogs means any dog, male or female seven (7) months of age or older.

Allow means to permit by neglecting to restrain or prevent.

Animal shall have its customary common meaning and shall include dogs, where applicable. "Animal," shall include but not be limited to dogs, cats, and livestock as defined in this chapter.

Animal control agency means the parish or local animal control agency. If the parish does not have an animal control agency, it means an agency designated by the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury to perform animal control functions by intergovernmental agency agreement, contract or otherwise. (R.S. 14:102.12.1)

Animal shelter means a facility used to care for homeless, stray or unwanted animals by a governing entity or authorized animal welfare society and may include more than one (1) location.

At large means to be off the premises of the owner and not under control of either the owner or a person authorized by the owner.

Cat means any member, male or female of the family feline or any cat appearing animal that is kept as a domestic pet.

Cruelty to animals shall be as defined in R.S. 14:102—R.S. 14:102.1 of the Louisiana State Criminal Code.

Dangerous dog means:

(1) Any dog which when unprovoked, on two (2) separate occasions within the prior thirty-six-month period, 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, bites 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

(4) Otherwise caused injury to a domestic animal off the property of the owner of the dog. (R.S. 14:102.14)

Director means the head administrative official of the animal control agency which has been authorized by the governing entity.

Dog means any member, male or female of the family canis familiaris or any dog-appearing animal that is kept as a domestic pet.

Dogs under control means that the owner or keeper, by means of leash attached to an appropriate collar, harness to contain the dog, restrains the dog to the owner or keeper's immediate proximity, preventing the dog from trespassing upon property or annoying or chasm* other persons, animals, or vehicles of any sort.

Domestic pet means any animal, male or female kept as a pet and not defined under the definition for livestock under section 4-31

Harboring means that actions of any occupant of any premises on which an animal remains or to which it customarily returns daily for food and care for a period of fourteen (14) days. Such occupant shall be presumed to be harboring or keeping the animal within means of this chapter.

Leash shall mean a chain, rope, leather strap, or cord or sufficient tether attached to a collar or harness that will humanely bind the dog directly to the owner or keeper and prevent such dog from moving free of the owner's or keeper's immediate control.

Nuisance means annoying, chasing, or threatening behavior toward persons, animals, vehicles and/or destroying public or private property.

Owner means any person, firm, corporation, organization, or department processing, harboring, keeping, having any interest in, or having control or custody of an animal.

Pet shop is any establishment or premises maintained for the purchase, sale or exchange of pets of any type.

Severe injury means any physical injury that result in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.

Shelter governing entity shall mean the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury and/or other authorized agencies as legally defined within an official cooperative endeavor agreement.

Stray animal means any unidentified dog, cat, or other animal, whose owner is unknown or who has no owner, which is declared by the animal control agency to be a nuisance. For the purpose of this section, stray dog or stray animal means any dog, cat or other animal appearing or remaining in a neighborhood or any public place without an apparent home.

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. (R.S. 14:102.15)

(Ord. of 3-15-10)