Ordinances Governing Pets
The following are a few sections from the Terrebonne Parish Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 "Animals". These excerpts are not intended to represent the entire animal-related ordinances.
Refer to Chapter 5 of the Terrebonne Parish Code of Ordinances to view the all animal-related ordinances.
- It shall be the duty of every owner residing in the parish to obtain and retain an annual license for each dog and cat three (3) months of age and older, with the exception of community cats. The license certificate shall include the name and address of the owner, a description of the dog or cat including its breed, color, gender, and date of birth or estimated age, and the year and number of the license tag. The annual license fee shall be five dollars ($5.00) for each spayed or neutered dog or cat... Continue
- Each owner and/or attendant shall keep his domestic animal under restraint at all times to prevent the escape from his property or person and shall prevent his animal from threatening, attacking, and/or biting any lawfully acting person or animal.
- When off the property of the owner or attendant, every domestic animal must be securely fastened to a leash, in a pet carrier/cage, or in a vehicle.
- Every domestic animal shall be restrained in a humane manner that protects the animal from injury and escape while being transported.
- Every female dog and cat in estrus or "heat" shall be confined by way of a solid barrier such as a wooden fence, inside the owner or attendant's home, or in a veterinary hospital or animal establishment,in such a manner that another not neutered male of the same species cannot come in contact with such dog or cat, except for intentional breeding... Continue
- Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person owning or keeping a dog to leave a dog tethered while unsupervised as a means of confinement.
-
A dog may be tethered to a running line, pulley, or trolley system in accordance with all of the following specifications:
- Only one dog shall be attached to a tether at one time;
- The minimum length of the trolley line shall be 15 feet;
- The tether line shall weigh no more than 5% of the dog's body weight and be made of a substance which cannot be damaged by the dog;
- The dog shall be fitted with an appropriate harness or buckle-style collar properly fitted with room enough for two fingers to fit between the collar and the dog;
- The use of pinch, weighted, or choke collars is prohibited;
- The clamp of proper size and durability shall connect the dog's harness to the tether line and a swivel of proper size and durability shall connect the tether line to the trolley line... Continue
- An Animal Control Officer shall seize any dog found not restrained and unaccompanied by its owner or attendant.
- The Animal Control Officer(s) may seize any domestic animal found not restrained and off the property of the owner or attendant.
- The Animal Control Officer(s) shall cause any seized animal to be impounded in the Animal Shelter. Impounded dogs shall be confined in a humane manner for a period of not less than three (3) days, and thereafter may be adopted/transferred to a person/organization deemed to be responsible and suitable, or euthanized in a humane manner, if not claimed by their owners. There shall be no stray hold period for a community cat so they may be sterilized and returned to their home location... Continue
- No person shall own, keep, or harbor any dog, cat or ferret three (3) months and older within Terrebonne Parish without it being vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Every owner of a dog, cat, and ferret shall cause said animal to be vaccinated initially with a series of two vaccinations, the first to be administered at three (3) months of age and the second to be administered one year after the initial vaccination. Subsequent booster vaccines shall be administered one year after the administration of the last vaccine administered, except in cases of a medical condition that would preclude proper vaccination or endanger the health of the dog, cat, or ferret. Exceptions shall only be given for dogs, cats, and ferrets after a letter signed by a licensed veterinarian requesting... Continue
- Proper food shall be wholesome, palatable, and free from contamination. Food shall be provided in a sanitary receptacle sufficient quantity with consideration of the age, species, condition, and size of animal a minimum of once a day except as directed by a veterinarian.
- Proper water shall be clean drinkable water provided in a sanitary receptacle of appropriate size and design which is affixed to prevent spills and made available as often as necessary for health and comfort to all animals which are in a climate controlled environment. Animals which are not in a climate controlled environment shall have proper water available at all times in a sanitary receptacle of appropriate size and design which are affixed to prevent spills. Exceptions shall only be allowed upon... Continue
Any domestic animal found by a person other than the parish run Animal Shelter shall be held for fourteen (14) days before claiming ownership and/or adopting/transferring said animal so long as the said animal has not displayed or reported to have displayed any aggression towards humans or other animals and/or has not caused damage nor reported to have caused damage to property. Additionally, reasonable attempts to locate and reunite the found animal with its rightful owner shall be made within the fourteen (14) days, including but not limited to, placing an ad in the local newspaper(s), completing a found report with the Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter, and having the found animal scanned for a microchip... Continue