§403.6.  Reporting of neglect or abuse of animals

A.  Any state or local law enforcement officer, or any employee of government or of a government contractor who in his professional capacity routinely investigates alleged abuse or neglect or sexual abuse of a child, or abuse or neglect of an adult under the provisions of R.S. 15:1507, who becomes aware of evidence of neglect or abuse of an animal shall report such incident to the law enforcement authority of the governing authority in which the incident has occurred or the local animal welfare authority.  The name and identifying information regarding the reporter of animal maltreatment shall be confidential.

B.  No person required to report under the provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall knowingly and willfully obstruct the procedures for receiving and investigating a report of abuse or neglect or shall disclose, without authorization, confidential information which was reported.

C.  No person shall make a report required by this Section knowing that any information therein is false.

Acts 2001, No. 1136, §1; Acts 2010, No. 861, §6; Acts 2012, No. 811, §4, eff. July 1, 2012.