§ 3:734 — Livestock brand inspectors

§734. Livestock brand inspectors
A. Livestock brand inspectors employed by the commissioner shall be commissioned
by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and, for the purposes of this Part, shall
have the same power and authority as is vested in the state police. Inspectors shall have
general jurisdiction throughout the state to enforce the provisions of the Louisiana Criminal
Code as set forth in Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section, this Part, and the rules and regulations
adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Part.
B. Personnel of the commission who are commissioned peace officers shall be under
the direction, control, and supervision of the commissioner and shall have the following
powers and duties:
(1) To provide for the protection of the assets and property of the Department of
Agriculture and Forestry, to enforce the rules and regulations pertaining to the Louisiana
Board of Animal Health adopted pursuant to Part I of Chapter 16 of Title 3 of the Louisiana
Revised Statutes of 1950, as authorized in R.S. 3:2093, to enforce all of the provisions of this
Part, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Part and
provisions in the Louisiana Criminal Code relating to the theft of animals, the illegal
branding or marking of animals, the disposition of strayed animals, the theft of any farm
machinery, equipment, or supplies, and to perform such duties with respect to any other
farm-related crime.
(2) To take the following actions, with or without a warrant, when the inspector has
probable cause to believe that the provisions of the Louisiana Criminal Code as set forth in
Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section or this Part, or of the rules and regulations adopted under
the provisions of this Part, have been violated:
(a) To enter upon private land or premises.
(b) To stop and search any airplane, automobile, truck, boat, or other vehicle.
(c) To enter any establishment where livestock or carcasses are slaughtered,
butchered, stored, or sold.
(d) To hold livestock, carcasses, parts of carcasses, or hides for a reasonable time for
the purposes of investigation and determination of ownership.
(3) To arrest, with or without a warrant, any person who the inspector has probable
cause to believe has violated the criminal provisions of this Part or the Louisiana Criminal
Code as set forth in Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section.
(4) To serve all warrants and other processes issued by courts of competent
jurisdiction in connection with violations of the provisions of this Part and the rules and
regulations adopted under the provisions of this Part or the Louisiana Criminal Code as set
forth in Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section.
(5) To cooperate with all other peace officers in the enforcement of the Louisiana
Criminal Code as set forth in Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section, the provisions of this Part and
the rules and regulations adopted under the provisions of this Part.
(6) To be attired in a uniform approved by the commissioner and carry proper
credentials evidencing their authority, which shall be exhibited upon demand of any person.
Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 49:121(E), every automobile, truck, or other vehicle
belonging to the state that is used by an inspector shall conform with the provisions of R.S.
49:121(A)(1), (B), and (C).
C. Additionally, while on special assignment during any riot, insurrection, or any
declared disaster or while in protection of immovable property, movable property, assets, and
resources of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, any commissioned livestock brand
inspector shall possess all the powers and authority of regular law enforcement officers of
this state.
D. Upon the request of any regular law enforcement agency of this state, livestock
brand inspectors shall prevent and detect crime, apprehend criminals, enforce the criminal
and traffic laws of the state, keep the peace and good order in the state in the enforcement
of the state's police powers, and perform any other related duties imposed upon them by the
legislature.

Legislative History

Acts 1982, No. 113, §1; Acts 1992, No. 33, §1; Acts 2008, No. 920, §1, eff. July 14, 2008; Acts 2009, No. 24, §1, eff. June 12, 2009; Acts 2018, No. 429, §1; Acts 2020, No. 159, §1.