Tangipahoa Parish, LA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- General restraint duty
- on and off owner's property (§10-84(a))
- Leash required
- school grounds in session; organized rec events
- Tether rule
- 10-ft min cable, no chains (§10-99)
- Hunting dog exemption
- while actively accompanied by owner
- Trespass penalty
- up to $500 fine or 30 days jail (§10-132)
- General penalty
- up to $500 fine or 6 months jail (§10-100)
Summary
Every dog in unincorporated Tangipahoa Parish must be properly restrained or supervised on and off its owner's property so it doesn't become a public nuisance or stray, per § 10-84(a); a leash is specifically required on school grounds during session and at organized public recreation events, per § 10-84(f).
(a)Every dog shall be properly restrained and/or adequately supervised by the owner, trainer or designated keeper both on and off the premises of the owner so as not to become a public nuisance or be defined as stray. ... (f)Owners and designated keepers shall not permit dogs in their care on any school ground when school is in session, or on any public recreation area when an organized activity is being conducted, unless the dog is restrained by a leash or similar device which prevents the dog from biting a person or animal.
Full Breakdown
Section 10-84 covers restraint broadly: subsection (b) lets an animal control officer investigate a public nuisance complaint and impound the dog until the owner corrects the conditions to the director's satisfaction, and subsection (c) requires any dog already declared dangerous or vicious to be confined in a secure building or enclosure and muzzled or caged off the premises, with a posted warning sign. Subsection (e) exempts hunting or stock dogs actively working with their owner present. Chained dogs get separate treatment under § 10-99's tethering rule: no chains are allowed at all, and a tethered dog must be on a tie-out cable and pivoting stake with a properly fitting collar or harness, the cable at least ten feet long and unable to reach another person's property, a public walkway or a road; animal control may enter the property to check the cable and collar.
A parallel, broader restraint rule sits in Article V's § 10-130, which requires every animal (not just dogs) to be restrained so it doesn't trespass onto another's property, with § 10-131 making the owner liable for resulting property damage and § 10-132 setting a distinct penalty for that trespass violation.
Violations & Fines
A dog found at large that becomes a public nuisance may be seized and impounded under §§ 10-84(b) and 10-85, with the owner owing a reclamation fee before release; a general Article IV conviction under § 10-100(b) carries a fine of up to $500.00 or up to six months in jail, or both. Separately, failing to restrain an animal from trespassing under Article V is a misdemeanor under § 10-132 punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00, imprisonment in the parish jail for not more than 30 days, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a dog have to be on a leash at all times in unincorporated Tangipahoa Parish?
Are there places where a leash is specifically required?
Can I tether my dog on a chain in the yard?
What happens if my dog gets loose and trespasses onto a neighbor's land?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tangipahoa Parish
Compare Tangipahoa Parish to another location·View the Louisiana animal ordinances overview
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