Animal Shelter

Livingston Parish Animal Shelter

The Livingston Parish Animal Shelter is located in the Town of Livingston next to the parish fairgrounds. If the gates are closed during normal business hours, it is due to a call out.  The shelter is minimally staffed and spends most of the day outside of the office with the dogs.  If the answering machine picks up during normal business hours, please leave a message and someone will return your call. 

Currently, the shelter is only able to to pick up dogs that are reported to the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office (LPSO) or other local authority as being vicious, a bite was involved or dogs with life threatening injuries and/or injuries that may impose a health endangerment to the public. Cases of cruelty and/or abandonment only when resulting in citations written to known owner(s). The shelter does not pick up strays in the parish nor allow drop offs or owner surrenders. The shelter only provides services for dogs. Please refer the FAQ’s list and animal laws below to answer most questions you may have. Please DO NOT contact the LPSO unless the dog complaint falls within the above criteria or falls under FAQs listed below.

NOTE:  If you own an animal that requires medical attention or requires euthanasia, please contact a local veterinarian as the shelter does not provide these services.

If you reside inside of the city limits of Denham Springs or Walker, please contact their animal control facilities.

Shelter employees are not commissioned law enforcement officers, therefore all animal complaints must be reported to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office (225) 686-2241.

After receiving an initial complaint, the LPSO or other local authority will be dispatched out to assess the situation and verify if the complaint falls under designated criteria as outlined in the Livingston Parish Animal Shelter Policies and Procedures Manual. If the call is warranted under shelter requirements, a shelter employee will be dispatched through the LPSO only.  If a complaint warrants a citation being written to the dog(s) owner for allowing their dog(s) to roam or if dog(s) do not need to be seized, the LPSO may not notify the shelter. NOTE: Most animal complaints are investigated during normal business hours unless it is a life or death situation for the dog(s).

Once at the shelter, dogs are scanned for possible microchips, vaccinated, wormed, treated for minor injuries, fed, watered and loved. 

If the dog(s) owner is unknown, our first goal is to attempt to located the rightful owner(s) by posting the dog on the LP Animal Shelter Facebook page. After a (5) five day hold and no response from an owner, the dog(s) will be evaluated by shelter employees and posted as available for adoption. or ask for a rescue to pull so that they may re-home.  Most of the dogs that are picked up are obedient and loving dogs that deserve a second chance.

Dogs that are deemed adoptable have been vaccinated, wormed, microchipped and spayed or neutered.

The adoption fee is $70.00 and must be paid in cash.

Micro chips have been found to be such an invaluable tool for re-uniting lost pets with their owners. Vets offices, some rescues, along with our facility all have scanners to check for microchips.  If an owner(s) has current information registered with their chip company, they are simply a phone call away to being reunited with their pet if they are found by others. Dog collars and tags tend to get lost, misplaced, or removed.

See and like our Face Book page, Livingston Parish Animal Shelter, for posts of dogs that have been picked up trying to re-unite owners, as well as, pictures and bios of our adoptable dogs that are waiting on their second chance.

We would like to thank LPSO and other local law enforcement for their assistance and cooperation, for without them, we could not do our jobs.

An ongoing thank you to the individuals and organizations that continue to donate supplies, materials and time to the shelter.  We would also like to thank the rescues who have pulled from the shelter at times when we desperately needed them.  We welcome volunteers who are willing to spend time with the dogs and share their love with our little guys and girls. Volunteers must be 18 or older or accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The shelter utilizes Live Oak Animal Hospital in Watson for all medical cases. Dogs adopted from the shelter have been spayed/neutered and provided with a rabies vaccination. Dogs will have small green tattoos on their belly to help identify that they have been altered. We cannot thank them enough for the services they provide and the compassion they have for all dogs.

PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERS

Keep your pets contained, up to date on annual vaccinations, and always spay and neuter. Low-cost vaccination clinics and spay/neuter programs can be located throughout the parish or through private rescues.  These types of organizations can often be found on Facebook. The shelter always recommends annual visits to your veterinarian. 

Just a note: If your dog becomes pregnant and you do not want the puppies, in most cases, no one else does either.

PLEASE, PLEASE, EDUCATE YOURSELF

Heart worms are preventable and treatment is possible. Heartworm related death can be premature and horrific.If not on an heartworm preventative regimen, especially in Louisiana, EVERY dog at ANY time almost definitely WILL contract heart worms from mosquitos.

Intestinal worms, fleas, ticks, and other parasites are also preventable and harmful to your pets. Some are transferrable and harmful to humans as well.

BITE CASES: See Rabies and Quarantine Info

By state law, all bite cases to humans must be reported to local authorities or the animal shelter within twenty-four hours from the time of the bite. Also, by state law, with all bite cases to humans, dogs must be quarantined for a minimum of ten (10) days from the date of the bite for rabies observation within twenty-four (24) hours from the time of the bite.

Owners are allowed to quarantine at a veterinarian of their choice. Follow up will be made to see that dog has been quarantined. Our shelter is an option for quarantine on a pre-paid basis. Dogs must be picked up after their quarantine period from the shelter or this will be considered “abandonment” punishable under §2452 Abandoned Animals. If dogs do not have proof of other current vaccinations, charges will be added to daily board fees.

It is highly recommended that all bites to human and/or animal be seen by a physician / veterinarian as bite wounds, if not treated, possibly with antibiotic and tetanus, could lead to nasty infections or worse.

INJURED DOGS:

If you find a dog that has been injured, please do not attempt to move or pick them up. They will bite you due to their pain as this is their only defense mechanism. You will not know their current vaccine status or medical condition, and not only could the bite be hurtful, it could be harmful to you. Be advised, if you do in fact remove the dog from its location, you will have taken on the responsibility and ownership of the dog.  Owners responsibility to provide necessary vet care otherwise considered animal cruelty.

FAQS:

Please read as this may answer most of the questions you may have. These answers are covered under these few listed of many Louisiana State Laws pertaining to animals some people may not be aware of. This does in fact include Livingston Parish. 
 2771. Dogs not to run at large

No person shall suffer or permit 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. (Leash Law in effect for all of Louisiana. Does not have to be written or enforced as a Parish Ordinance because it is already a state law. Also, animals are considered private property. Owners are liable for any physical damage by their animal including, but not limited to, harm to humans, harm to other animals, property damage, etc.)

§ 2652. Liability for injury to livestock caused by dog

Any owner, harborer, or possessor of any dog that kills, harasses, or wounds livestock shall be liable to the owner of the livestock for the damages sustained, to be recovered before any court of competent jurisdiction.

 § 2452. Abandoned animals

A. An animal shall be considered abandoned when the owner thereof has not paid the charge for veterinary services, including medical, or for boarding, within ten days after rendition to the owner of the invoice for such services or boarding and no other agreement with the owner has been reached for the payment of such charge for services or boarding.

Livingston Parish Ordinance

Sec. 5.5-13. - Maximum permissible sound levels.

(g)  Animals and birds. It shall be a violation of this article for any person to own,

possess or harbor any animal or bird which frequently or for continued duration howls, barks, meows, squawks, or makes any other sound which shall disturb the comfort or repose of persons dwelling in the vicinity of where the animal or bird is kept.

Sec. 5.5-16. - Violations and penalties.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) or not more than thirty (30) days in jail, or both, at the discretion of the judge.

(Only some, not all of glossary defined below:)

Louisiana Statutes Annotated. Louisiana Revised Statutes. Title 14. Criminal Law. Chapter 1. Criminal Code. Part VI. Offenses Affecting The Public Generally. Subpart B. Offenses Affecting The Public Sensibility

§ 102 .    Definitions; cruelty to animals

§ 102.1 . Cruelty to animals; simple and aggravated

§ 102.2 . Seizure and disposition of animals cruelly treated

§ 102.3 . Search warrant; animal cruelty offenses

§ 102.4 . Confined animals; necessary food and water

§ 102.5 . Dogfighting; training and possession of dogs for fighting

§ 102.6 . Seizure and destruction or disposition of dogs and equipment used in dogfighting

§ 102.7 . Search warrant for dogfighting offenses

§ 102.8 . Injuring or killing of a police animal

§ 102.9 . Interference with animal research; research laboratory or farm

§ 102.10 . Bear wrestling; penalty

§ 102.12 . Definitions

§ 102.13 . Hearing to determine if dog is dangerous or vicious

§ 102.14 . Unlawful ownership of dangerous dog

§ 102.15 . Unlawful ownership of a vicious dog

§ 102.16 . Seizure and destruction or disposition of dangerous or vicious dogs

§ 102.17 . Registration of dangerous dogs; fees

§ 102.18 . Seizure and disposition of dogs which cause death or inflict bodily injury

§ 102.19 . Hog and canine fighting prohibited; penalties

§ 102.20 . Sport killing of zoo or circus animals prohibited

§ 102.22 . Harboring or concealing an animal which has bitten or inflicted serious bodily injury on a human

§ 102.23 . Cockfighting

§ 102.24 . Participation in cockfighting

§ 102.26 . Unlawful restraint of a dog; definitions; penalties

§ 102.27. Unlawful sale of a live dog or cat at certain locations

§ 102. Definitions; cruelty to animals

The following words, phrases, and terms as used in R.S. 14:102.1 through R.S. 14:102.4 shall be defined and construed as follows:

(1) "Cruel" means every act or failure to act whereby unjustifiable physical pain or suffering is caused or permitted.

(2) "Abandons" means to completely forsake and desert an animal previously under the custody or possession of a person without making reasonable arrangements for its proper care, sustenance, and shelter. NOTE:  Citations will be issued in owner’s name even in the absence of the owner

(3) "Proper food" means providing each animal with daily food of sufficient quality and quantity to prevent unnecessary or unjustifiable suffering by the animal.

(4) "Proper water" means providing each animal with daily water of sufficient quality and quantity to prevent unnecessary or unjustifiable suffering by the animal.

(5) "Proper shelter" means providing each animal with adequate shelter from the elements as required to prevent unnecessary or unjustifiable suffering by the animal.

(6) "Proper veterinary care" means providing each animal with veterinary care sufficient to prevent unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering by the animal.

(Items 7-9 pertain to livestock)

§ 102.1. Cruelty to animals; simple and aggravated

A. (1) Any person who intentionally or with criminal negligence commits any of the following shall be guilty of simple cruelty to animals:

(a) Overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, or overworks a living animal.

(b) Torments, cruelly beats, or unjustifiably injures any living animal, whether belonging to himself or another.

(c) Having charge, custody, or possession of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, unjustifiably fails to provide it with proper food, proper drink, proper shelter, or proper veterinary care.

(d) Abandons any animal. A person shall not be considered to have abandoned an animal if he delivers to an animal control center an animal which he found running at large.

(e) Impounds or confines or causes to be impounded or confined in a pound or other place, a living animal and fails to supply it during such confinement with proper food, proper drink, and proper shelter.

(f) Carries, or causes to be carried, a living animal in or upon a vehicle or otherwise, in a cruel or inhumane manner.

(g) Unjustifiably administers any poisonous or noxious drug or substance to any domestic animal or unjustifiably exposes any such drug or substance, with intent that the same shall be taken or swallowed by any domestic animal.

(h) Injures any animal belonging to another person.

(i) Mistreats any living animal by any act or omission whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain, suffering or death is caused to or permitted upon the animal.

(j) Causes or procures to be done by any person any act enumerated in this Subsection.

(2)(a) Whoever commits the crime of simple cruelty to animals shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

(b) Whoever commits a second or subsequent offense of simple cruelty to animals shall be fined not less than five thousand dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than ten years, or both. In addition, the court shall issue an order prohibiting the defendant from owning or keeping animals for a period of time deemed appropriate by the court.

(c) In addition to any other penalty imposed, a person who commits the crime of cruelty to animals shall be ordered to perform five eight-hour days of court-approved community service. The community service requirement shall not be suspended.

(d) In addition to any other penalty imposed, the court may order a psychological evaluation or anger management treatment for a first conviction of the crime of simple cruelty to animals. For a second or subsequent offense of the crime of simple cruelty to an animal, the court shall order a psychological evaluation or anger management treatment. Any costs associated with any evaluation or treatment ordered by the court shall be borne by the defendant.

(3) For purposes of this Subsection, if more than one animal is subject to an act of cruel treatment by an offender, each act shall constitute a separate offense.

B. (1) Any person who intentionally or with criminal negligence tortures, maims, or mutilates any living animal, whether belonging to himself or another, shall be guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals.

(2) Any person who tampers with livestock at a public livestock exhibition or at a private sale shall also be guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals.

(3) Any person who causes or procures to be done by any person any act designated in this Subsection shall also be guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals.

(4) Any person who intentionally or with criminal negligence mistreats any living animal whether belonging to himself or another by any act or omission which causes or permits unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain, suffering, or death to the animal shall also be guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals.

(5) In addition to any other penalty imposed for a violation of this Subsection, the offender shall be ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and subsequently recommended psychological treatment and shall be banned by court order from owning or keeping animals for a period of time deemed appropriate by the court. Any costs associated with any evaluation or treatment ordered by the court shall be borne by the defendant.

(6) Whoever commits the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals shall be fined not less than five thousand dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than ten years, or both.

(7) For purposes of this Subsection, where more than one animal is tortured, maimed, mutilated, or maliciously killed or where more than one head of livestock is tampered with, each act comprises a separate offense.

C. This Section shall not apply to any of the following:

(1) The lawful hunting or trapping of wildlife as provided by law.

(2) Herding of domestic animals.

(3) Accepted veterinary practices.

(4) Activities carried on for scientific or medical research governed by accepted standards.

(5) Traditional rural Mardi Gras parades, processions, or runs involving chickens.

(6) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the standard transportation and agricultural processing of agriculture products as defined in R.S. 3:3602(5) and (6).

§ 102.2. Seizure and disposition of animals cruelly treated

A. When a person is charged with cruelty to animals, said person's animal may be seized by the arresting officer and held pursuant to this Section.

B. (1) The seizing officer shall notify the owner of the seized animal of the provisions of this Section by posting written notice at the location where the animal was seized or by leaving it with a person of suitable age and discretion residing at that location within twenty-four hours of the seizure.

§ 102.4 Confined animals; necessary food and water

Allows law enforcement, as often as necessary, enter any place in which an animal is impounded or confined without necessary food and water for over twenty-four hours to supply food and water.

§ 102.14 Unlawful Ownership of Dangerous Dog (In part)

Dangerous dog defined as: 1. Any dog, which unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior thirty-six month period, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and the dog are off the property of the owner of the dog; or 2. Any dog which, when unprovoked, bites a person causing injury; or 3. Any dog which, unprovoked, on two separate occasions within the prior thirty-six month period, has killed, seriously bitten, inflicted injury, or otherwise caused injury to a domestic animal off the property of the owner of the dog.
It is unlawful for any person to own a dangerous dog without properly restraining or confining the dog.

Rs 14102.26 Unlawful Restraint Of A Dog Definitions Penalties

§102.26. Unlawful restraint of a dog; definitions; penalties

A. As used in this Section:

            (1) "Collar" means any collar constructed of nylon, leather, or similar material, specifically designed to be used for a dog.

            (2) "Owner" means a person who owns or has custody or control of a dog.

            (3) "Properly fitted" means, with respect to a collar, a collar that measures the circumference of a dog's neck plus at least one inch.

            (4) "Restraint" means a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or other device that attaches a dog to a stationary object or trolley system.

B. It shall be unlawful to tie, tether, or restrain any animal in a manner that is inhumane, cruel, or detrimental to its welfare.

C. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any of the following:

            (1) Accepted veterinary practices.

            (2) Activities carried on for scientific or medical research governed by accepted standards.

            (3) A dog restrained to a running line, pulley, or trolley system and is not restrained to the running line, pulley, or trolley system by means of a pinch-type, prong-type, choke-type, or improperly fitted collar.

            (4) A dog restrained in compliance with the requirements of a camping or recreational area as defined by a federal, state, or local authority or jurisdiction.

            (5) A dog restrained while the owner is engaged in, or actively training for, an activity that is conducted pursuant to a valid license issued by this state if the activity for which the license is issued is associated with the use or presence of a dog.

            (6) A dog restrained while the owner is engaged in conduct directly related to the business of shepherding or herding cattle or livestock.

            (7) A dog restrained while the owner is engaged in conduct directly related to the business of cultivating agricultural products if the restraint is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog.

            (8) A dog being restrained and walked with a hand-held leash regardless of the type of collar being used.

D. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than three hundred dollars.

Rabies Vaccinations and Bite Case Rabies Quarantine Observation (In Part)

Title 51

PUBLIC HEALTH-SANITARY CODE

Part Ill. The Control of Rabies and Other Zoonotic Diseases

Chapter 1. Anti-Rabies Vaccination
Requirements for Dogs and Cats

§101. Definitions

(formerly paragraph 3:001]

Local Health Authority-any parish or municipal health
officer, department or other agency charged with the
responsibility of preserving the public health.

Owner-any person who keeps in his care or who
harbors or has custody of a dog or other animal.

Vaccination-the injection, by a licensed veterinarian,
of an animal using anti-rabies vaccine approved by the state
health officer.

Wild Animal-any animal species wherein the majority
of its members are not maintained by humans for
recreational, commercial food production, agricultural,
research, or industrial purposes. Other than possibly
endangered species, the majority of the members of such a
species live primarily in a natural or non-domestic
environment. Wolves, wolf hybrids, and feline species other
than Felis felis/domestic cat hybrids, in circumstances
involving rabies vaccination or rabies exposure, will be
regarded as wild animals.

Zoonotic disease-a disease in humans caused by an
infectious agent transmitted from animals to humans.
Zoonotic diseases include, but are not limited to, anthrax
(caused by Bacillus anthracis) and plague (caused by
Yersinia pestis).

§105.     Human Exposure to Domestic Animal Bites
[formerly paragraph 3:003]

A. When any dog, cat, or ferret bites a human being, said
animal shall be confined (as described in § 113) for a
minimum of 10 days following the bite, or said animal shall
be killed and the head submitted immediately to a laboratory
of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals for
examination for rabies. During the observation period a
rabies vaccine should not be administered to the animal to
avoid confusing signs of rabies with possible side effects of
vaccine administration. Any dog, cat, or ferret that develops
any signs during the 10-day observation period shall be
reported immediately to the local health authority and,
provided such signs are compatible with rabies as
determined by a licensed veterinarian or the official state
public health veterinarian, the animal shall be killed and the
head submitted to a laboratory of the Louisiana Department
of Health and Hospitals for examination.

§lll.      Confinement of Animals
[formerly paragraph 3:007)

A. Where confinement is required under the provisions
of this Code, the owner, veterinarian, animal shelter or other
custodian of the animal shall confine said animal in a cage or
in another manner such that the animal cannot contact any
person or other animal. Tethering is not permitted.

§103.     Mandatory Vaccinations of Dogs, Cats, and
Ferrets[formerly paragraph 3:002]

A. No person shall own, keep or have in his custody a
dog, cat, or ferret over three months of age that has not been
vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Every
owner of a dog, cat, or ferret shall cause said animal to be
vaccinated initially with a series of two vaccinations, the
first to be administered at three months of age, the second to
be administered done year after the initial vaccination. Dogs,
cats, or ferrets initially vaccinated later than three months of
age shall also be administered a series of two vaccines, the
second vaccine to be given one year after the initial
vaccination. Subsequent booster vaccines shall be
administered one year after the administration of a vaccine
that confers one year of immunity and three years after the
administration of a vaccine that confers three years of
immunity.

PLEASE HAVE AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN FOR YOUR PET(S).  It is now a state law that dogs and cats cannot be tied to or tethered during a flood or hurricane.