§ 7-98. K-9 or guard or attack dog services.

(a)

Permit required. No person shall operate a K-9 or guard or attack dog service unless a permit to operate such establishment shall have been granted by the animal shelter department. Application procedures and requirements for such permit shall be in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the animal shelter advisory board under the provisions of this article. The permit period shall be the calendar year and the permit fee shall be as stated in section 7-30 for each permit period or part thereof beginning with the first day of the calendar year.

(b)

Requirements for holding of permit. All K-9 or guard or attack dog services shall, in addition to all other requirements of this article, comply with the requirements set forth below. Failure to meet these requirements shall be grounds for denial of a permit or revocation of any previously issued permit.

(c)

Application for permit; temporary permit. Permit application forms may be obtained from the animal shelter department at #1 Humane Way, P.O. Box 10640, Jefferson LA 70181-0640, or may be requested in writing or by telephone. Completed, notarized forms accompanied by the appropriate fee may be mailed to the above address. If any applicant certifies that all of the requirements of these rules and regulations are being met in his establishment, the animal shelter department may issue a temporary permit until such time as it may make a physical inspection of the establishment. Such temporary permit, however, shall not be valid for more than three (3) months from date of issue, and shall be revoked at the time of inspection if all permit requirements are not being met. Upon certification by an authorized representative of the animal shelter department that all pertinent requirements are being met, the director shall forthwith issue a regular permit which shall be valid until December thirty-first of the year issued.

(d)

Renewal of permit. Prior to December thirty-first of each year, all holders of animal handling permits must renew same by applying to the animal shelter department for the appropriate form, executing such form and remitting the current annual permit fee.

(e)

Inspection. All premises of the K-9 or guard dog services shall be subject to inspection at any time by the animal shelter department.

(f)

Minimum standards:

(1)

Fresh water for drinking shall be available to all species at all times. Containers are to be cleaned and disinfected each day. All water containers shall be removable for cleaning and be mounted so that the animals cannot turn them over;

(2)

Permanent housing for dogs not on duty or in transport shall consist of runs whose dimensions and areas shall be at least as great as those specified for runs in the table of section 7-107. Cages may be used for temporary housing not to exceed thirty (30) days, provided that the requirements of the table of section 7-108 are met;

(3)

Runs must have at least six-foot high fences completely surrounding them to which are to be added anticlimbers, or the top must be completely covered;

(4)

All gates and entrances to the runs, kennel, and training area must be kept locked when not in use;

(5)

A perimeter fence at least six (6) feet high with anticlimbing devices must be installed to encircle the training and kennel area. Fences must be maintained escape proof;

(6)

A dog in training as a guard or sentry or attack dog must be confined at all times to its kennel or run or training area, unless he is under leash control of his handler;

(7)

Cages used for the transportation of guard dogs need not conform to all the minimum dimensions of the table of section 7-109, however, each cage used must be of sufficient size that a dog placed in it can stand erect with at least six (6) inches of clear space above its withers. The length of the cage must be at least six (6) inches longer than the length of the dog from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and the width of the cage should be such as to permit the dog to turn around freely. Cages shall have bottoms of solid material and be covered so as to provide protection from the elements;

(8)

When transport cages are mounted on a vehicle, sufficient space or ventilation must be provided to prevent cage temperatures from rising more than three (3) degrees centigrade or five (5) degrees Fahrenheit above ambient air temperature;

(9)

No dogs shall be left in transport cages, except while actually in transport, for any period longer than a reasonable time for loading or unloading. In no case shall such reasonable time exceed thirty (30) minutes for any one (1) dog;

(10)

All trainers of dogs for guard service must have had at least two (2) years experience in facilities training dogs;

(11)

Procedures must be established to notify police and fire departments of the location of guard or sentry dogs placed on guard duty without handlers.

(g)

Records; number and person to contact in emergencies. The holder of any K-9 or guard dog service permit, shall keep available for inspection on the premises a record that shall show the name, current address and telephone number of the owner of each animal kept at the facility, the date such animal entered the facility, the reason for such animal being at the facility such as for boarding, sale, breeding or grooming; the description of the animal, including its age, breed, sex and color. The owner shall place in a visible place the name, address and telephone number of the parish animal shelter, or other party who can be contacted in case of emergency, to assume the care of the animals on the premises. In addition, the holder shall furnish to the parish animal shelter the name, address and telephone number of the veterinarian or other responsible party authorized to act on behalf of the holder in case of emergency.

(Code 1961, § 4-15(c), (c.1), (e.1); Ord. No. 20257, §§ 1, 3, 1-14-98)