Full Statute Name: West's Louisiana Statutes Annotated. Louisiana Revised Statutes. Title 9. Civil Code Ancillaries. Code Book III. Of the Different Modes of Acquiring the Ownership of Things. Code Title V. Of Quasi Contracts, and of Offenses and Quasi Offenses. Chapter 2. Of Offenses and Quasi Offenses. § 2800.28. Limitation of liability for veterinary professionals who report animal cruelty
Primary Citation: LSA-R.S. 9:2800.28Country of Origin: United StatesLast Checked: March, 2025Date Adopted: 2022Historical:
Summary:
This Louisiana law gives immunity to licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians who report suspected animal cruelty. Any veterinarian licensed by the state or veterinary technician licensed by the state who reports in good faith and has reasonable belief that an animal has been the subject of a violation of R.S. 14:102.1, 102.5, 102.8, 102.19, 102.20, 102.23, or 102.26 shall be immune from civil liability or criminal prosecution if he reports such violation to the commissioner or designee of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, a P.O.S.T. certified animal control officer, a law enforcement agency, or a prosecuting attorney or if he participates in any investigation or proceeding for acts prohibited by law.
A. Any veterinarian licensed by the state or veterinary technician licensed by the state who reports in good faith and has reasonable belief that an animal has been the subject of a violation of R.S. 14:102.1, 102.5, 102.8, 102.19, 102.20, 102.23, or 102.26 shall be immune from civil liability or criminal prosecution if he reports such violation to the commissioner or designee of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, a P.O.S.T. certified animal control officer, a law enforcement agency, or a prosecuting attorney or if he participates in any investigation or proceeding for acts prohibited by law.
B. Additionally, any veterinarian licensed by the state or veterinary technician licensed by the state shall be immune from civil liability or criminal prosecution for the release of confidential information pursuant to a subpoena or court-ordered disclosure, or upon written consent from the animal's owner or the animal owner's legal representative.
C. This Section shall not apply if the veterinarian or veterinary technician acts with gross negligence, willful misconduct, or in bad faith.
