Vermilion Parish, LA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Vermilion Parish Code § 6-12 defines a dangerous dog three ways: a dog with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack without provocation, to cause injury, or to endanger people, pet animals or livestock; a dog of a breed whose propensities for violent actions are known or should be reasonably foreseeable; and a dog kept primarily to guard public or private property not owned by a law enforcement agency. The definitions and sections quoted here name no specific breed, so the breed prong turns on what is known or foreseeable about the breed.

Section 6-81 makes three acts unlawful for the owner or keeper of a dangerous dog. First, keeping the dog on the property without confining it in a manner approved by the animal control officer, one that prevents entry by the general public and any release or escape. Second, keeping the dog on the property without posting visible and legible signage such as "BEWARE OF DOG" on and around the property. Third, having the dog off the property unless it is securely muzzled and adequately restrained on a leash.

A vicious dog is treated more severely. Section 6-12 defines it as a dog that, while at large, has without provocation inflicted bodily injury on or killed a person, pet animal or livestock, or a dog that on private property, without provocation, approaches in apparent attitude of attack or bites or injures a meter reader, delivery person, service person, mail carrier or other invited or business visitor. Provocation means threatening, teasing or striking an animal, and includes threatening or striking the owner or keeper on or off the property. Under § 6-82 it is unlawful to own, keep or possess any vicious dog, and the animal control officer can take and impound it where a violation occurred in the officer's presence, or when a citizen complaint establishes probable cause and the officer's investigation shows impoundment is needed for the safety of humans or other animals. Under § 6-123, a pet animal that is a known safety hazard or physical threat to people is not released to the owner or anyone else, and the facility can euthanize it on the officer's opinion with a veterinarian's advice.