§ 7-20. Trapping of domesticated animals.

(a)

Standard of care for trapped domesticated animals.

(1)

All traps shall be checked at least once every eight (8) hours, day and night.

(2)

All traps shall have the full name and contact information of the responsible party securely affixed to the trap in a conspicuous place. Any trap without such identification shall be subject to impoundment until ownership of the trap can be established.

(3)

No traps shall be used in extreme or inclement weather conditions which includes but is not limited to temperatures below thirty-two (32) degrees and above ninety-two (92) degrees Fahrenheit, during rain, flash flooding and tropical storm watch or warning conditions. No trap shall be set in direct sunlight and the trap shall have airflow for the anticipated ambient temperature. All traps must be covered with material to reduce stress on the animal.

(4)

All traps shall be used only on property owned by the person who is utilizing and/or authorized the trap.

(5)

Only non-toxic baits are authorized for use in any trap. The use of toxic substances shall be a violation of this specific section and also a violation of chapter 7, division 6, humane care and treatment.

(6)

A container of clean, potable water of a size appropriate for the animal being trapped shall be placed in the trap along with the bait.

(7)

No trap shall be entrusted to or operated by any person under the age of eighteen (18). Any improper or negligent act of omission regarding a trap on the part of any person under eighteen (18) years of age is the liability of the person who allowed the minor to locate the trap on their property as well as the legal guardians of said minor.

(8)

Any illegal, improper, or negligent use of any trap is strictly prohibited.

(9)

Traps shall not be set between noon on Saturday and Monday at 6:00 a.m. as the parish animal shelter is not open to accept trapped animals during said time period.

(10)

If trapping is accomplished by a commercial business then the additional standards of care must also be met:

a.

Such commercial business must maintain a written contemporaneous record of when the traps are checked in connection to compliance with section 7-20(a)(1) and such record must be made available upon demand by the parish animal shelter.

b.

A prominent sign (at least twelve (12) by twelve (12)) warning of animal trapping operations which includes the name of the responsible commercial business conducting the trapping operations shall be posted in such a manner as to be conspicuous to the general public from the time the trap(s) is first set and for twelve (12) hours after the trapping operations have been removed.

(b)

All domesticated animals shall be returned to the known or identifiable owner of the trapped animal. In the event, if the owner can not be identified, then the trapped domesticated animal must be brought into the parish animal shelter immediately.

(c)

Such provisions shall not interfere, supersede or conflict with the community cats program of the parish which allows, including but not limited to, persons to trap community cats, have them assessed by a veterinarian, sterilized, provide rabies vaccination, ear tipped and returned to the area in which it was trapped.

(d)

Violations of this section shall be adjudicated before the bureau of administrative adjudication and will be subject to any and all penalties under chapter 1 and chapter 2.5 of the parish Code of Ordinances.

(Ord. No. 25608 , § 1, 7-25-18)