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The ACRC has commissioned Animal Control Officers (ACO’s) and Humane
Enforcement Officers (HEO’s). Our officers are trained and equipped to help
resolve most animal related situations when called upon.
Our officers are chosen with an eye towards being humane to the animals as
well as having considerable public relations skills. The old cliché in our
line of work is that “We do not have an animal problem, we have a people
problem.”
ACRC Duties and Functions
*Administers the Anti-Rabies Vaccination, licensing and tag program
All dogs, cats and ferrets are required to be vaccinated against rabies at three (3) months
initially by a licensed Veterinarian only, on then on either an annual or a triennial (3-year) basis. The license Registration) and tag are issued at
the time of vaccination. Licenses and tags however are required to be renewed yearly. The license tag is required to be worn at all times.
The ACRC works closely with our local Veterinary Medical Professionals to obtain as high a level of
compliance with the Anti-Rabies program as possible, to ensure public health and safety. Officers bring animals in for the 10-day rabies observation
watch on a daily basis.
Rabies is a fatal disease that is present in our parish. We vaccinate our domestic animals to form a
barrier between humans and wildlife that is the ever present reservoir for rabies parish wide. Refer to FAQ’s
* Investigates Animal Cruelty
HEO’s and ACO’s investigate allegations of animal cruelty. Both State Law and Local Ordinance are used. Cruelties are either felonies or misdemeanors
and are categorized as either active or passive.
* Investigates Dog Fighting
Dog fighting is a cruel and barbaric “Sport” that is a felony in Louisiana. Officers enforce both the state law and local ordinance to protect the
animals from this form of animal cruelty.
* Resolves Dangerous Animal Situations
Dangerous animal situations are a direct threat to public health and safety. Animals that are at large or otherwise, can cause serious and
life-threatening injury to humans. Motorists, pedestrians, children, etc. are subject to attack or worse when animals escape or are allowed to run at
large. EBRP has a strong “Leash Law” that essentially requires animals be leashed or confined at all times. Dangerous dog situations are
generally resolved through one or more of the following systems:
warnings;
fees and/or fines after seizure;
criminal misdemeanor summons;
declaration of potentially dangerous, dangerous or vicious
other legal means i.e. warrants, restraining orders, etc.;
arrest and booking
* Rescues / Injured Animals
Officers perform rescues and save injured animal that have been reported by citizens. Injured animals not only suffering, but they pose a risk to well meaning persons attempting to help them without proper equipment or training.
* Investigates Abandoned Animal Cases
Abandoned animals can suffer a long and excruciatingly painful life until succumbing. Officers use legal means to ensure rescue and rehabilitation if
possible. The owner or keeper is then subjected to any law or ordinance that is pertinent to resolving the cruelty issue at hand.
* Investigates Occult, Animal Sacrifice,
Bestiality Cases
Officers investigate and help resolve matters that are perpetrated under the
guise of occult and generally result in sacrifice or mutilation.
* Resolves Stray Animals Situations
Stray animals pose a threat to the public and other animals. They are
subjected to harsh lives and are sometimes subject to injury, starvation,
cruelty or worse. Officer respond to complaints and release the animals to caring shelter staff who disposition them in a humane manner.
* Enforces Leash Law / Owned Animal Problems
Owned animals that are allowed to run at large may cause a nuisance, dangerous situations or neighborhood feuds. Owners are held strictly liable
for any actions their animals take in EBRP. The liability of allowing a pet to run at large can result in both criminal and civil proceedings against the owner.
It is incumbent upon animal owner to know the laws and ordinances pertaining
to animals, before they become pet owners. Refer to City-Parish Code of Ordinances
* Assists law enforcement narcotics, evictions,
DWI Cases
Our officers work closely to assist fellow law enforcement officers with
law cases involving animals. Examples, such as narcotics cases, DUI’s,
automobile accidents, evictions, dead on arrival's, Customs etc. do require
swift response and resolution.
* Enforces Barking Dog Cases
It is illegal to allow your animal to violate the “excessive barking” or
“excessive noise making” section of the ordinance. Refer to FAQ’s
* Inspects Dog Yards / Pens
Neighbors frequently feud over conditions that dogs, cats and other animals live in on the owner’s property. The ordinance has specific requirement for ownership of certain species under certain conditions in EBRP.
Refer to FAQ’s or Code of Ordinances
* Chaining / Tether Compliance
Dogs should not be kept on chains or tethers continuously as a primary form of restraint. They are natural companion and pack animals and suffer when restricted in this manner.
The ACRC urges citizens to use other means of restraint. Dogs must be restrained by a tether that allows easy access to shelter, food
and water and that is five (5) times the length of the body, as measured from the nose to the base of the tail. Persons chaining dogs in a cruel
manner, or using heavy chains disproportionate to the animals weight, are subject to cruelty charges.
* Assists Animal Welfare Groups with TNR /Ferals
ACRC works closely with allied local groups to allow “Intervention” on certain cases where citizens are complaining about feral cat colonies being
a nuisance. These groups and individuals would have a chance to resolve the problems the citizen is experiencing, prior to any enforcement action or
trapping and subsequent transfer to the shelter takes place.
* Conducts Educational Programs for Schools, Industry and Civic Associations
The key to reducing the pet overpopulation problem at open intake shelters
is summed up by the LES (Legislation, education, sterilization) approach. Extending the newer paradigm to this would include the enhanced “Marketing” approach to the adoptions of all healthy, adoptable shelter
animals, as long as they go to responsible owners/homes.
Educating the public about animal issues is a key facet in the animal
overpopulation and irresponsible owner reality in our parish. Defense against dog attack, the importance of responsible pet ownership, leash law
matters, spay/neuter advantages etc. are all topics that are offered by the department.
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