Louisiana Dog Bite Laws: Owner Liability and Deadlines

Louisiana has a dog bite statute that makes owners liable without proof that they knew the dog was dangerous, subject to the defenses written into the law.

Louisiana dog bite law at a glance

Question	Answer
Type of rule	Strict liability for preventable injuries
Main statute	La. Civil Code art. 2321
Defense	Provocation
Filing deadline	2 years (art. 3493.1, from July 1, 2024)

What Louisiana law says

Civil Code art. 2321: owner of a dog is strictly liable for damage the owner could have prevented and that did not result from provocation (MSU, Justia).
Owners are liable when dogs kill or harass livestock, without proof they knew it would happen (La. R.S. 3:2652, 3:2653).

Strict liability vs. the one-bite rule

Under a strict liability statute, the owner is responsible for the injury even if the dog never showed aggression before and the owner was careful. The victim does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous; the main defenses are the ones written into the statute, such as provocation or trespassing.

Dangerous dog rules in Louisiana

Louisiana's criminal code covers dangerous and vicious dogs, including unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog (La. R.S. 14:102.14).
Local governments may regulate or prohibit vicious or dangerous dogs (3:2731).

Deadline to file a claim

Louisiana Civil Code art. 3493.1 sets a 2-year prescriptive period for delictual (tort) actions, effective July 1, 2024 (Acts 2024, No. 423). Before that change the period was one year, so older injuries may follow the old rule. The clock usually starts on the day of the bite. Different deadlines can apply to claims against a government agency or on behalf of a child, so confirm the deadline for your situation with a licensed attorney.

What to do after a dog bite

Get medical care, even for a small puncture; bites can become infected.
Get the owner's name, contact details and the dog's rabies vaccination status.
Report the bite to local animal control or the health department; many places require it so the dog can be observed for rabies.
Photograph the injuries and the location, and write down witness names.
Keep medical bills and records of missed work, and talk to an attorney before signing anything from an insurer.

If you own a dog that has bitten someone, follow any confinement order from animal control, keep the dog's rabies vaccination current, and consider working with a trainer or behaviorist. Leash rules are covered in Louisiana leash laws.

Sources

This page summarizes state statutes for general information and is not legal advice. Laws change and cities and counties often add their own rules; check the current statute and your local ordinance, or ask a licensed attorney about your situation.

Louisiana Dog Bite Laws