Louisiana Service Dog Laws

Definitions

(1) “Service dog” means a dog who has been trained or is being trained to do work or perform a task for a person with a disability. “Service dog” refers to a dog trained as any of the following:
(a) A hearing dog.
(b) A guide dog.
(c) A seizure alert dog.
(d) A mobility dog.
(e) An autism service dog.
(f) A dog providing assistance during a medical crisis.
(g) A service dog providing assistance to persons, including veterans with traumatic brain injury or post traumatic stress disorder.

LSA-R.S. 46:1952

Accommodation Law

Every person with a disability may be accompanied by an assistance dog, especially trained to aid such person, in places like common carriers, educational institutions, lodging places, restaurants, etc. without being required to pay an extra charge for such dog.

LSA-R.S. 46:1953

Each person with a disability who has a service dog, especially trained to aid such person or who obtains such a dog, shall be entitled to full and equal access to all housing accommodations, and he shall not be required to pay extra compensation for such dog but shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or any person on the premises by such dog.

LSA-R.S. 46:1954
During the training of a service dog, any trainer or puppy raiser of such dog shall have the same rights and privileges as a person with a disability to be accompanied by a service dog in any place or facility provided in this Chapter.

LSA-R.S. 46:1955

Denial or interference with full and equal accommodations results in fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

LSA-R.S. 46:1956

Harassment of/Interference with Service Dogs

Any person whopurposely or negligently injures a service dog or any owner of a dog who allows that dog to injure a service dog because he fails to control or leash the dog shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. Such person shall also be liable for any injuries to the service dog and, if necessary, the replacement and compensation for the loss of the service dog.

LSA-R.S. 46:1956

Driving Law

Any such operator who fails to take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to a pedestrian with a disability shall be liable in damages for any injury caused to the pedestrian and any injury caused to the pedestrian’s service dog.

Any such operator who fails to take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to a pedestrian with a disability  shall be liable in damages for any injury caused to the pedestrian and any injury caused to the pedestrian’s service dog.

LSA-R.S. 46:1957

Licensing Law

Service dogs shall be exempt from any state or local license fee.

LSA-R.S. 46:1958