Louisiana
Weird Laws in Louisiana: Which Are Still on the Books?
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 21, 2026). · 3 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
We checked three claims from popular weird-law lists about Louisiana against the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as of October 21, 2026. All three rest on a real statute, but only one says what the list says. Our weird laws by state guide has the same check for every other state.
Weird laws in Louisiana: the verdicts
Each claim below was checked against the Louisiana code and, where it names a town, the local code. 3 claims checked.
The claim: Ordering a pizza delivered to someone without their knowledge: $500 fine.
What the law says: Louisiana makes it a crime to order goods or services delivered to someone who did not authorize the order and would have to pay for it, when the person placing the order intends to harass or annoy. The penalty is a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both, and the court may order restitution.
“It is unlawful for any person to intentionally place an order for any goods or services to be supplied or delivered to another person when all of the following circumstances apply: (1) The person receiving the goods or services has not previously authorized such an order, does not reside with the person who placed the order, and the goods or services are not being given as a gift to that person. (2) The person receiving the goods or services is required to pay for such goods or services, either in advance or upon delivery and has not previously agreed to do so, or is required to return the items to the sender at his expense. (3) The person placing the order for goods or services intends to harass or annoy the person receiving such goods or services.”
Penalty: Whoever violates Subsection A shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
No court opinion in our database cites this section.
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
The claim: Bear wrestling is prohibited.
What the law says: Louisiana makes it a crime to promote, take part in, or profit from a bear wrestling match, or to sell, buy, possess or train a bear for one.
“Any person who intentionally commits any of the following shall be guilty of bear wrestling: (1) Promotes, engages in, or is employed by anyone who conducts a bear wrestling match.”
Penalty: fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both
No court opinion in our database cites this section.
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
The claim: Urinating in the water supply carries up to 20 years.
What the law says: La. R.S. 14:58 makes it a crime to intentionally do any act tending to contaminate a public or private water supply. Up to 20 years applies only when the act foreseeably endangers human life or health; otherwise up to 5 years. The statute never mentions urination.
“Contaminating water supplies is the intentional performance of any act tending to contaminate any private or public water supply.”
Penalty: when the act foreseeably endangers the life or health of human beings, fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than twenty years, or both; otherwise fine up to $500 and up to five years
Last cited by a court: White Hat v. Landry (2024)
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
Checked October 21, 2026. This is legal history and information, not legal advice. Laws change; the linked official text is the authority.
Bear wrestling is a named crime
This one is exactly as advertised. La. R.S. 14:102.10 defines the crime of bear wrestling, and the first item reads:
Any person who intentionally commits any of the following shall be guilty of bear wrestling: (1) Promotes, engages in, or is employed by anyone who conducts a bear wrestling match.
The section also reaches people who profit from a match and anyone who sells, buys, possesses or trains a bear for one. The penalty is a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both.
The prank delivery law, minus the pizza
The popular version says ordering a pizza for someone without their knowledge brings a $500 fine. The statute, La. R.S. 14:68.6, is written about goods or services in general, and all three of its conditions have to be met:
- the recipient did not authorize the order, does not live with the person who placed it, and is not getting it as a gift;
- the recipient has to pay for it, in advance or on delivery, without having agreed to, or has to return it at their own expense; and
- the person placing the order intends to harass or annoy the recipient.
So the law is aimed at harassment, not surprise dinners. The penalty is a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both, and the court may order restitution.
Contaminating the water supply
The claim says urinating in the water supply carries up to 20 years. La. R.S. 14:58 does not mention urination. It defines the crime broadly:
Contaminating water supplies is the intentional performance of any act tending to contaminate any private or public water supply.
The 20-year figure is the top tier. When the act foreseeably endangers human life or health, the penalty is a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to 20 years, or both. Otherwise the maximum is a $500 fine and up to five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bear wrestling illegal in Louisiana?
Yes. La. R.S. 14:102.10 makes it a crime to promote, engage in or profit from a bear wrestling match, or to sell, buy, possess or train a bear for one. The penalty is a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both.
Is it illegal to send someone a pizza without their knowledge in Louisiana?
La. R.S. 14:68.6 makes it a crime to order goods or services delivered to someone who did not authorize the order and would have to pay for it, when the person ordering intends to harass or annoy. The statute does not name pizza. The penalty is up to $500, up to six months, or both, and the court may order restitution.
Is urinating in the water supply a 20-year crime in Louisiana?
La. R.S. 14:58 does not mention urination. It punishes any intentional act tending to contaminate a water supply. Up to 20 years applies only when the act foreseeably endangers human life or health; otherwise the maximum is five years and a $500 fine.
What are some weird laws in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a statute naming bear wrestling as a crime, a law against harassing someone with unauthorized deliveries they must pay for, and a water contamination law often retold as a ban on urinating in the water supply.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
Sources and References
- La. R.S. 14:102.10, Bear wrestling (Louisiana State Legislature)(www.legis.la.gov).gov
- La. R.S. 14:68.6, unauthorized ordering of goods or services (Louisiana State Legislature)(www.legis.la.gov).gov
- La. R.S. 14:58, Contaminating water supplies (Louisiana State Legislature)(legis.la.gov).gov
- White Hat v. Landry (2024)(courtlistener.com)