§228. Interference with animal research facilities or animal management facilities

A. It shall be unlawful for any person:

(1) To intentionally release, steal, or otherwise cause the loss of any animal from an animal research facility or an animal management facility.

(2) To damage, vandalize, or steal any property from or on an animal research facility or an animal management facility.

(3) To obtain access to an animal research facility or an animal management facility by false pretenses for the purpose of performing acts described in Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Subsection.

(4) To break and enter into any animal research facility or animal management facility with the intent to destroy, alter, duplicate, or obtain unauthorized possession of records, data, materials, equipment, or animals.

(5) To enter or remain on an animal research facility or an animal management facility with the intent to commit an act prohibited in Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Subsection.

(6) To knowingly obtain or exert unauthorized control, by theft or deception, over records, data, material, equipment, or animals of any animal research facility or animal management facility for the purpose of depriving the legal owner of an animal research facility or animal management facility of records, material, data, equipment, or animals or for the purpose of using, concealing, abandoning, or destroying such records, material, data, equipment, or animals.

(7) To possess or use records, material, data, equipment, or animals or in any way to copy or reproduce records or data of an animal research facility or animal management facility, knowing or reasonably believing such records, material, data, equipment, or animals to have been obtained by theft or deception or without authorization of that facility.

B.(1) "Animal research facility" as used herein means that portion of the premises of an accredited institution of higher learning located within the state that is engaged in legitimate scientific, medical, or veterinary medicine research involving the use of animals.

(2) "Animal management facility" as used herein means that portion of any vehicle, building, structure, or premises, where an animal is kept, handled, housed, exhibited, bred, or offered for sale, and any agricultural trade association properties. Animal management facility also means that portion of any vehicle, building, structure, premises, property, or equipment used in the conduction of authorized wildlife management practices, including but not limited to the control of animals that damage property, natural resources, or human health and safety.

C. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than one year, or both.

Acts 1989, No. 644, §1; Acts 1990, No. 445, §1.

{{NOTE: SEE ALSO R.S. 14:102.9.}}