Lake Charles, LA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 4-37, "Nuisance animal," lets the animal control director or a designated agent designate an animal a nuisance if it molests passersby or vehicles while at large, damages property, barks/whines/howls excessively, continuously, or untimely, or causes unsanitary conditions through urination or defecation. To make the designation stick, the director needs an investigation supported by either sworn statements from two witnesses who are not from the same household and live in the immediate neighborhood, or a sworn statement from one witness combined with a declaration from the investigating officer.

Once designated, the owner faces penalties under Article IV of Chapter 4, and the animal itself may be seized and impounded at the animal services and adoption center. Section 4-37(b) creates an escalation path: after a third offense the owner receives written notice that a fourth offense will result in impoundment, a citation with a specified response period, and if the owner fails to respond the animal becomes property of the animal services and adoption center and may be euthanized or placed with a suitable caretaker who can prevent further nuisance behavior.

00 for a third, and impoundment under Section 4-37 for a fourth offense. A near-identical general nuisance definition in Chapter 4's article I, Section 4-22, covers the same excessive-barking conduct with parallel evidentiary and escalation rules for animals generally, not limited to dogs.