§ 8-120. Muzzling and restraining of potentially dangerous animals.

(a)

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

Potentially dangerous animal means any dog or other animal:

(1)

Which, according to the records of the parish animal shelter or other appropriate law enforcement authority:

a.

Has, without provocation, inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property;

b.

Has killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner's property; or

c.

Has previously been found to be a dangerous animal, the owner having received notice of such, and the animal again bites, attacks or endangers the safety of human beings or domestic animals;

(2)

Which is owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for dog fighting; or

(3)

Which would otherwise be deemed dangerous, but upon review of the facts is declared and designated a vicious animal, after a hearing in accordance with the rules and regulations of the parish.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any owner to allow a potentially dangerous animal to be outside of the dwelling of the owner or outside of its kennel unless it is securely muzzled and restrained with a chain having a tensile strength of 300 pounds and not exceeding three feet in length.

(c)

The potentially dangerous animal shall be under the direct control, supervision and physical restraint of the owner or other responsible person whenever it is outside of the dwelling of the owner or outside of its kennel.

(d)

The required muzzle shall be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration but shall prevent it from biting any person or animal.

(e)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve pet owners of their duties imposed by other sections of this Code, including but not limited to section 8-118.

(Code 1976, § 4:115.2; Ord. No. 1211, §§ I—VI, 5-13-2002)