Caddo Parish panel upholds dangerous-dog classification after neighbor's dog is attacked

The Caddo Parish dangerous-dog hearing ended with the board indicating support for the animal-control director's classification that a dog involved in a recent attack be deemed "dangerous." Assistant Director Kelvin Samuel read the legal definition and outlined consequences, and the panel indicated agreement by a show of hands.

"I just ran back towards the door, and they just caught up to us by the door and got a hold of his leg, one of them, and then I got inside," said Abigail Harrison, who identified herself as the victim and described the incident during the hearing. Harrison's account was a central basis for the board's review.

Samuel read the Parish definition used to evaluate the case, noting that a dog may be deemed dangerous if it "bites, injures, or inflicts" harm when unprovoked. Board members and staff then reviewed the procedural options for the owner, who was told how to appeal the director's decision and how to comply should the owner accept the classification.

Under the conditions read at the hearing, a designated dangerous dog must wear an animal-control-issued collar, be microchipped at the owner's expense, be muzzled when off the owner's principal premises, and be kept in a secure enclosure that meets minimum size and construction standards. Staff told the owner that failure to comply could lead to further enforcement action.

The owner was also told how to request a formal review before the Caddo Parish Commission. Staff advised the owner to review the packet and decide promptly whether to accept the conditions or notify the commission clerk to set an appeal date; the transcript includes different statements about the exact number of days for filing an appeal from different speakers.