Louisville Metro Code Chapter 91 caps household pet numbers and lets Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) intervene when conditions endanger animal welfare or public sanitation, including in suspected hoarding situations.
LMAS investigates complaints about excessive animals under Chapter 91 cruelty and unsanitary-conditions provisions. Inspectors may enter with consent or warrant when neglect, ammonia odors, fecal accumulation, or dead animals are reported. Hoarding cases often trigger joint response with Public Health & Wellness, Codes & Regulations, and Adult Protective Services. KY state animal cruelty statutes (KRS Chapter 525) supplement local rules, allowing felony charges for torture and misdemeanor charges for cruelty second-degree. Court-ordered mental-health evaluation and forfeiture of all animals are common outcomes in confirmed hoarding prosecutions.
Civil citations and impoundment fees through LMAS, plus state criminal charges under KRS 525.125-525.135 cruelty statutes; courts may order forfeiture of all animals.
Louisville, KY
Louisville Metro Code limits the number of dogs and cats per household; exceeding the limit triggers kennel-license requirements under Chapter 91 and may run...
Louisville, KY
LMCO Chapter 91 § 91.140 regulates exotic species in Louisville Metro. Prohibited wild animals may not be kept without express written permission from the Di...
See how Louisville's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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