La. Stat. Ann. § R.S. 46:1956
Violation of rights; injury or interference with a service dog; penalties; civil action; damages; cost and attorney fees
Operative Text
§1956. Violation of rights; injury or interference with a service dog; penalties; civil action; damages; cost and attorney fees A. Any person, firm, or corporation, or the agent, representative, or employee of any person, firm, or corporation who withholds, denies, deprives, or attempts to withhold, deny, or deprive; intimidates, threatens, coerces, or attempts to threaten, intimidate, or coerce; punishes or attempts to punish a person with a disability or a trainer or puppy raiser of a service dog, during the training of such dog, or for exercising his right to be admitted to or enjoy the places and facilities provided in this Chapter; or otherwise interferes with the rights of a person with a disability under this Chapter shall 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. B. Any person who purposely 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. C. For every offense, such person shall pay for actual damages for any economic loss to any person aggrieved thereby, to be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction in the parish where such offense was committed or where the aggrieved person resides. D. In an action brought under this Section, the court may award costs and reasonable attorney's fee to the prevailing party. Acts 1993, No. 482, §1; Acts 2014, No. 492, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §24, eff. June 23, 2014. NOTE: Acts 1993, No. 763, §1 amended prior R.S. 46:1952(A), (B), and (C), 1953(D), and 1954 and enacted R.S. 46:1953(E). Acts 1993, No. 482, §1 amended and reenacted the entire Chapter. The Chapter appears as in Act No. 482. The Louisiana State Law Institute printed the provisions of Act No. 763 as a note at the head of this Chapter.
La. R.S. § 46:1956 establishes that anyone who denies, withholds, or interferes with the rights of a person with a disability—or who injures a service dog—can face criminal misdemeanor charges, fines between $100 and $500, and up to six months in jail. The law also creates a civil remedy, allowing aggrieved individuals to recover actual economic damages in a local court. Courts handling cases under this provision may additionally award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under La. R.S. § 46:1956, property owners and managers who comply with service-dog access rights generally ensure that tenants and visitors with disabilities, as well as service-dog trainers and puppy raisers, are not denied entry, threatened, or otherwise interfered with. Compliant operators also take reasonable steps to prevent their own dogs or animals on the premises from injuring a service dog, such as maintaining leash and control policies. Keeping clear written policies and training staff on service-dog accommodation obligations are practices commonly associated with compliance under this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
La. R.S. § 46:1956 gives people with disabilities—and those training service dogs—the right to seek both criminal penalties and civil damages when their access rights are violated or when their service dog is harmed. If a landlord or other party denies access, threatens, or interferes with a service dog, a tenant may file a complaint with local law enforcement to pursue misdemeanor charges, or bring a civil action in the parish court where the offense occurred or where the aggrieved person resides. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help explain the range of remedies available, including recovery of economic losses and potentially attorney's fees under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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