Louisiana
Updates about legal issues facing animals in the state
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals.
Animal Protection Laws Ranking
Each year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes its U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. Each state is ranked based on 20 different categories of animal protection.
Louisiana
Overall Rank: #7 (Top Tier)
- +Thorough definitions for standards of care that guardians must provide for their animals
- +Social services professionals have a duty to report suspected animal cruelty
- +Mandatory mental health evaluations and treatment/anger management classes for certain offenders
- -Veterinarians are not required to report suspected animal cruelty
- -Felony animal fighting only covers limited species
Animal Protection Laws of Louisiana
The Animal Protection Laws of Louisiana compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for Louisiana with an effective date on or before September 1, 2022.
Legislative Session
Active Legislation
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Active Cases
Upholding Lousiana’s Big Cat Ban
Michael Sandlin and Tiger Truck Stop, Inc. v. State of Louisiana ...., Through Its Secretary Robert J. Barham, Attorney General of the State of Louisiana, James D. "Buddy" Caldwell, and Iberville Parish Through Its President, J. Mitchell Ourso, JR.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund intervened in Tiger Truck Stop’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the big cat ban so that we could both defend the big cat ban and challenge the special law exempting Tiger Truck Stop from the ban.
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.
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Stop Ag-Gag Laws
Undercover investigations and whistleblowers have exposed some of the worst aspects of factory farming, but Ag-Gag laws punish people who speak out about cruelty in animal agriculture. Voice your opposition.
No More Puppy Mills
Puppy mill operators maximize their profits by producing large numbers of puppies as quickly as possible. As a result, unsanitary conditions, disease, and neglect are rampant. Sign our pledge to boycott puppy mills. Together we can end cruel puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban
In this free webinar, we walk you through the basics of how to pass a retail pet sale bans in your community — a powerful way to fight back against puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows
This webinar will focus on passing a local prohibition on animals used in circuses and other traveling shows.
Recent Victories
Revoke Permit for Tony the Truck Stop Tiger
Animal Legal Defense Fund, Warren Triche Jr., Brandi J. Sutten and Jennifer Torquati v. State of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
In 2011 the Animal Legal Defense Fund successfully sued the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, arguing that granting a permit to exhibit Tony violated state and local laws including Louisiana’s 2006 ban on private ownership of big cats.
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2022 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws