Lake Charles, Louisiana

Sec. 4-41. – Dogs running at large—Prohibited.

No person shall allow any dog in his possession, or kept by him about his premises, to run at large on any unenclosed land or trespass upon any enclosed or unenclosed lands of another.

Sec. 4-42. – Same—Penalty.

In addition to the charges and civil penalties specified herein, the owner, harborer or possessor of a dog who is found at large must have the dog microchipped in accordance with Section 4-68. If the dog has not already been rendered sterile, the owner shall be encouraged to have the animal spayed or neutered within seven days of redemption or return. If the impoundment for said animal is a second offense, the provisions of this section will be mandatory. Verification from the veterinarian performing surgery for sterilization shall be provided by the animal’s owner to the animal services and adoption center in writing within seven days of the procedure. The provisions of this section do not apply to a dog owned by and working for a governmental or law enforcement agency.

Sec. 4-69. – Adoption.

Any animal held by the animal services and adoption center may be adopted by a new owner provided the director or his designated agents deem it suitable for release and the prospective owner agrees to the adoption procedure set by the director and makes payment of all fees imposed. No dog or cat shall be released for adoption without being spayed or neutered or without written agreement from adopter guaranteeing that the animal will be altered within a specified time.

ARTICLE V. – PET OVERPOPULATION CONTROL

Sec. 4-81. – Sterilization required.

(a) Provisions shall be made for the sterilization of all dogs and cats sold or released for adoption or purchased from any public or private animal shelter or animal control agency by either:

(1) Providing sterilization by a Louisiana licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the animal;

(2) Entering into a written agreement with the adopter or purchaser guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed by a Louisiana licensed veterinarian in compliance with a sterilization agreement that shall contain the following information:

a. The date of the agreement;

b. The name, address, and signature of the releasing agency and the adopter;

c. A description of the animal to be adopted;

d. A sterilization completion date which shall be either:

1. The thirtieth day after the date of adoption in the case of an adult animal,

2. The thirtieth day after a specified date estimated to be the date an adopted infant female or male puppy or kitten becomes six months of age,

3. If the releasing agency has a written policy recommending sterilization of certain infant animals at an earlier date, the thirtieth day after the date contained in the written policy.

e. A statement printed in conspicuous bold print, that sterilization of the animal is required under this article and LSA R.S. 3:2472.

(b) Except as provided by this subsection, an adopter that signs an agreement under this article shall have the adopted animal sterilized on or before the sterilization date stated in the agreement. If the sterilization completion date stated in the agreement falls on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline shall be extended to the first day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The releasing agency may extend the deadline for 30 days on the presentation of a letter or telephone report from a Louisiana licensed veterinarian stating that the life or health of the adopted animal may be jeopardized by sterilization. There shall be no limit to the number of extensions that may be granted for this reason.

Sec. 4-82. – Adoption standards.

(a) Each releasing agency shall agree to give title, possession, and control of the animal as long as the adopter complies with the terms and conditions of the agreement as set forth in this article.

(b) Failure by either party to comply with any provision of the adoption agreement as set forth in this article may give rise to a cause of action in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Sec. 4-83. – Confirmation of sterilization.

The releasing agency shall consider the animal sterilized upon receipt of written confirmation signed by the Louisiana licensed veterinarian who performed the sterilization.

Sec. 4-84. – Exceptions.

(a) The sterilization requirements of this article do not apply to a dog or cat that is claimed from a releasing agency by a person who already owns the animal.

(b) The provisions of this article shall not apply to animals sold or released from any humane society, public or private shelter, or animal control agency to the United States armed forces, police or other law enforcement agencies, licensed veterinary facilities, or to licensed medical facilities.

(c) The sterilization requirements of this article do not apply to a dog or cat that is claimed by an adopter who executes a written agreement obligating the adopter to care for the adopted dog or cat and all of its offspring and pays the fee set by the releasing agency, which fee shall be in addition to the set adoption fee. Failure of the adopter to comply with the written agreement may give rise to a cause of action in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Sec. 4-85. – Fees.

All costs of sterilization pursuant to this article shall be established by ordinance or joint service agreement and paid by the prospective adopter or purchaser, unless otherwise provided.