Animal Ordinances in Ouachita Parish, LA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Ouachita Parish regulates horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, donkeys and mules, not chickens or other fowl, which Section 3-30(b) expressly excludes from the range rider's roundup duty. Section 3-12 bars tethering livestock outside a fence unless closely attended, and Section 3-18 makes it unlawful for these animals to run, roam or be at large anywhere but the owner's own land.
Ouachita Parish Livestock Tethering, At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsOuachita Parish Code of Ordinances § 3-12
It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, picket or otherwise tie livestock outside of a fence or enclosure, whether for grazing or other purposes, unless such livestock is closely attended by a responsible person of sufficient age to prevent such livestock from becoming loose and roaming unconfined.
Dog Leash Laws
All unincorporated Ouachita Parish is a designated dog control zone under Section 3-43(a). Away from its owner's premises, a dog must be leashed and under control whenever it is on public property or another person's private property without permission; running loose without a leash is unlawful under Section 3-43(b), with limited exceptions for search-and-rescue, herding, and sanctioned training or competition.
Ouachita Parish Dog Control Zone Leash Law
Some RestrictionsOuachita Parish Code of Ordinances § 3-43(a)-(b)
[Generally.] All of the unincorporated areas of Ouachita Parish are hereby declared to be a dog control zone. ... Dogs off premises to be under control. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to cause, permit or allow his/her dog to run, stray or otherwise be away from the premises of the owner or keeper within a dog control zone and to be on public property or the private prop...
Breed Restrictions
Ouachita Parish has no breed ban; instead Section 3-47 lets the animal control authority declare an individual dog dangerous or potentially dangerous based on probable cause tied to bite reports, witnessed aggression, or citizen complaints, regardless of breed. A declared dog's owner faces confinement and leash mandates under Section 3-49 and can appeal to a three-member panel.
Ouachita Parish Dangerous Dog Declaration Rule
Significant RestrictionsOuachita Parish Code of Ordinances § 3-47(a)
The animal control authority may find and declare a dog dangerous or potentially dangerous if there is probable cause to believe that the animal falls within the definition set forth in section 3-42. The finding will be based on: (1)The written complaint of a citizen who is willing to testify that the animal has acted in a manner which causes it to fall within the definition of a dangerous or a...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Ouachita Parish does not require every dog or cat owner to sterilize their pet. It does require it of anyone adopting an unredeemed impounded animal: Section 3-55(d) conditions adoption from the parish shelter on the new owner agreeing in writing to have the dog or cat surgically sterilized within one month or upon reaching maturity, and to provide identification for a dog.
Ouachita Parish Shelter Adoption Sterilization Rule
Some RestrictionsOuachita Parish Code of Ordinances § 3-55(d)
Any animal not redeemed by its owner during the prescribed period, may be humanely destroyed by lethal injection, or placed for adoption to a new owner, provided that the new owner agrees in writing to surgically sterilize any dog or cat within one month or upon maturity and to provide proper identification in the case of a dog.
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