RS 3:2772

§2772. Dog, cat, and kennel licenses fee and certificate; records A. Each parish or municipality that levies a license fee on dogs and cats shall issue a metallic license tag to each dog or cat owner who applies therefor and pays the dog or cat license fee imposed by the issuing parish or municipality. The license tag shall contain a license number, the name of the issuing body and the calendar year for which such tag is issued. The tag shall be fastened upon the collar worn by the dog or cat owned or kept by such person. A license certificate shall also be issued for such license fee showing the name and address of the owner, a description of the dog or cat by sex and color, the breed of the dog or cat if known, and the year and number of the license tag. A record of all such information shall be kept by the issuing authority which shall be open to the public during regular business hours. B. The governing body of each municipality or parish may, by ordinance, fix the sum to be paid annually for the dog or cat license fee, which sum shall not be more than ten dollars for each spayed or neutered dog or cat and not more than twenty dollars for each unspayed or unneutered dog or cat. However, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, the governing body of any municipality or parish with a population in excess of four hundred seventy-five thousand persons may, by ordinance, fix the sum to be paid annually for the dog or cat license fee, which sum shall not be more than ten dollars for each spayed or neutered dog or cat and not more than twenty dollars for each unspayed or unneutered dog or cat, and any such funds derived from said license fee shall be dedicated solely for the capture, control, and housing of stray animals. C. For the purposes of this Section, a dog or cat shall be considered spayed or neutered whenever any of the following is applicable: (1) Upon presentation of a certificate issued by any licensed veterinarian stating that the dog or cat, if female, was made incapable of producing young by spaying by the veterinarian, or, the dog or cat, if male, was made incapable of producing young by sterilization by the veterinarian. (2) Upon examination by a licensed veterinarian any dog or cat, whether male or female, is certified by the veterinarian to be incapable of producing young. (3) If the dog or cat has been previously licensed as a spayed or neutered dog or cat. D. Dogs used as guides for blind persons and commonly known as "seeing-eye" dogs or dogs used to assist deaf persons and commonly known as "hearing-ear" dogs, may be licensed as other dogs herein provided for, except that the owner or keeper of such dog shall not be required to pay any fee therefor. E. The owner or keeper of five or more dogs may procure a kennel license and pay a kennel license fee in lieu of the individual dog licenses and license fees provided for herein. The governing body of each municipality or parish, may by ordinance, fix the sum to be paid annually for the kennel license fee, which sum shall be a minimum of: (1) Fifteen dollars if no more than five dogs over the age of six months are harbored on the owner's premises at the time of the application. (2) Twenty-five dollars if more than five dogs but no more than ten dogs over the age of six months are harbored on the owner's premises at the time of the application. (3) Thirty dollars if more than ten dogs over the age of six months are harbored on the owner's premises at the time of the application. A licensed veterinarian or a veterinary clinic shall be exempt from this provision in the conduct of their regular business. F. Upon the issuance of a kennel license, the owner shall be furnished a number of license tags equal to the number of dogs harbored on the owner's premises. All of the provisions contained in Subsection A of this Section with regard to issuance of license tag, license certificates and the keeping of records shall also apply to kennel licenses. G. Any individual or business with five or more dogs and who breeds and sells dogs retail, wholesale, or to the public is required to procure a kennel license and pay a kennel license fee in lieu of the individual dog licenses and license fees provided for herein. The governing body of each municipality or parish may, by ordinance, fix the sum to be paid annually for the kennel license fee, which sum shall be dedicated solely for animal impoundment facilities and be a minimum of: (1) Fifteen dollars, if no more than five dogs over the age of six months are harbored on the owner's premises at the time of the application. (2) Twenty-five dollars, if more than five dogs but no more than ten dogs over the age of six months are harbored on the owner's premises at the time of the application. (3) Thirty dollars, if more than ten dogs over the age of six months are harbored on the owner's premises at the time of the application. H. No individual or business that breeds, buys, or sells dogs retail, wholesale, or to the public shall maintain more than seventy-five dogs over the age of one year at any time for breeding purposes. I. At the time of application for an initial or renewal kennel license, an applicant shall provide the governing body of the parish or municipality with a statement that is signed and dated and includes both of the following: (1) The applicant's Class A or Class B animal dealer's license number issued by the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to provisions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq., or the reason the applicant is not required to hold either license. (2) The applicant's sales tax identification number or the reason the applicant is not required to have a sales tax identification number. J. Any person who violates the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 101, §1, eff. July 11, 1982; Acts 1991, No. 940, §1; Acts 2008, No. 894, §1; Acts 2010, No. 92, §1; Acts 2015, No. 365, §1.