Shreveport, LA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 14-2's definition of 'vicious dog' lists four behavior-based triggers: the dog attacked and caused severe or gross injury or death to a human being; it was previously classified 'dangerous' under § 14-34(1) and a further violation of that subsection occurs; it was previously classified 'dangerous' and found at large two or more times; or it has exhibited behavior letting the director or animal advisory board reasonably conclude it may not safely coexist with people. Immediately after that list, the definition states flatly that no dog shall be deemed vicious simply by its breed, foreclosing any attempt to classify a dog based on breed alone.

The companion 'dangerous dog' process in § 14-34 works the same way: the animal control center investigates a reported incident and classifies a dog as dangerous only after finding it meets the behavioral definition in § 14-2, not because of what breed it is. Once classified dangerous, an owner must microchip the dog, post a warning sign, keep it in a securely fenced enclosure of at least 48 square feet, and muzzle and leash it whenever it's off the property, none of which turns on breed.

A 'vicious' classification carries harsher consequences: the dog is impounded and, absent a successful appeal to the animal services board within ten days, humanely euthanized. Every classification decision, dangerous or vicious, can be appealed to the animal services board and, from there, to the Caddo Parish Commission.