§2804. Impounding livestock found at large upon highways

            A. The deputy secretary of Department of Public Safety shall, and all sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables, and justices of the peace may, cause any livestock found at large upon any highway of the state of Louisiana, as defined in R.S. 3:2803, to be taken into custody and impounded. Any livestock so taken into custody shall be impounded in the nearest official state police impoundment area. Any officer taking custody of and impounding livestock shall immediately notify the deputy secretary of Department of Public Safety or his duly authorized representative in the parish in which the livestock is impounded and shall, within twenty-four hours after such notification, notify the owner or manager of such livestock, if known, personally or by leaving written notice at his place of residence.

            B. The owner or manager of livestock so impounded shall have the right to secure his livestock upon the payment to the superintendent of state police or officer impounding the livestock of an impoundment fee of twenty dollars per head of livestock and a daily boarding fee of ten dollars for each animal. He shall also pay to the officer impounding such livestock the cost of any necessary veterinary and advertisement fees incurred.

            C. The governor is authorized to establish, by executive order, in the Department of Public Safety, a suitable patrol force to enforce the provisions of this Subpart. The members of the patrol shall be employees of the Department of Public Safety, and their salaries and expenses shall be paid in the same manner as is provided for other employees.

            D. The provisions of this Section and of R.S. 3:2805 and 2806 shall be effective for any fiscal year or portion of a fiscal year only if sufficient funds have been appropriated to the deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections for the purpose of enforcing those Sections for the fiscal year or the portion of the fiscal year. If sufficient funds have not been appropriated the deputy secretary shall provide written notice to the Senate and House Committees on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

            Added by Acts 1950, No. 443, §1. Amended by Acts 1954, No. 202, §1, eff. July 1, 1955; Acts 1976, No. 323, §1; Acts 1977, No. 503, §1, eff. July 13, 1977; Acts 1978, No. 528, §1; Acts 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 33, §1, eff. Jan. 19, 1983; Acts 1989, No. 494, §1; Acts 2019, No. 250, §1.

*See R.S. 36:405.