While it may be tempting to adopt every friendly, fuzzy face you see, Arkansas law places restrictions on the number of canines you can add to your clan.

Written by Kara Vanderbeek

Reviewed by Melanie Reiff

Updated on May 27, 2022

Table of Contents

Does Arkansas have laws limiting how many dogs you can own?
Are there any dog breeds outlawed in Arkansas?
What are the leash laws in Arkansas?
Where to find affordable insurance in Arkansas

Municipalities in

Arkansas

generally limit dog ownership to 4 dogs per home. However, limits vary by area, so there may be specific guidelines for you to follow depending on where you reside.

Although it may seem strange to place a limit on how many adorable pups we can bring into our homes, regulations are in place to ensure our Doodles and Dobermanns alike are getting the care they need. Before you start expanding your family of furry companions, you should be aware of the specific rules pertaining to dog ownership in the Wonder State.

To give you a breakdown of dog laws,

Jerry

, the

home insurance

broker and

super app

, has compiled this guide to legal dog ownership in Arkansas.

Does Arkansas have laws limiting how many dogs you can own?

There are

limits to how many canines

you can call your own in Arkansas. However, these limits are contingent on the city or municipality within which you reside, so be sure to check out the specific laws in your area.

To give you an idea of the types of restrictions you can expect, we’ll give you a breakdown of the dog-limiting laws in various cities:

For

Jacksonville

and

Bentonville

residents, the magic number is four. It is against the law to own, keep, or harbor

more than 4 dogs

(and/or cats) over the age of

4 months

Greenwood

, residents are permitted

no more than 4 dogs, cats, wolves, wolf hybrids, or ferrets

per household

Little Rock

residents have a little more leeway and are permitted

no more than 4 dogs and 4 cats

per household unless the resident has a kennel permit

Texarkana

, you can legally own 4 dogs. However, if your pups are

less than 6 months old

, you are allowed more. If they are older than 6 months, you will need a

breeder’s license

Are there any dog breeds outlawed in Arkansas?

Arkansas has strict rules outlawing dog breeds, particularly

Pitbulls.

If you live in any of the following cities,

you cannot legally own a Pitbull

Batesville

Beebe

Blevins

Caraway

Carlisle

Dardanelle

(also bans American bulldogs)

De Queen

Gassville

, Rottweilers are also banned

Russellville

bans pit mixed breeds as well

Salem

, Rottweilers are also banned

Searcy

, Rottweilers are also banned

Shannon Hills, with exceptions

Sherwood

, American bulldogs are also banned

Trumann

Arkansas does not have a dangerous dog statute

. However, if a dog bites another person, its owner must notify public health authorities immediately.

MORE

Can You Get Pet Insurance for a Pet with Preexisting Conditions?

What are the leash laws in Arkansas?

While there are

no statewide dog leash laws

in Arkansas, certain municipalities, such as

Cabot

and

Little Rock

, have adopted basic leash laws. These laws require that dogs be

on a leash at all times

and that the

owner has control over the animal

while outside the home.

Under Arkansas law, municipalities also have the power to develop their own rules and regulations pertaining to:

Dogs that are a

threat to public health

(i.e. dogs running at large without a rabies vaccination)

Dogs that are an

annoyance to animal control and animal shelters

Dogs that have

injured people or other domestic animals

Penalties for breaking dog laws in Arkansas

Similar to dog leash regulations, Arkansas has

no statewide dog bite laws

. However, the state does have laws regarding vicious dog attacks, or “Unlawful Dog Attack” regulations.

An incident can be classified under this regulation if the attack:

Occurred with the knowledge that the dog was a danger to others (i.e. the attack was intentional)

Resulted in serious injury or death of the attacked person

The penalties for an incident of this nature would include a

Class A misdemeanor

, along with

compensation or restitution payments

to the attacked person.

On the other hand, if an attack occurs without any prior incidents of dangerous behavior, Arkansas law would require the dog to be confined

by health authorities

and assessed for rabies.

Keep in mind that it is against the law to

not inform health authorities

of dog bite incidents, for the owner to

sell the dog

after it has bitten a person, and for the dog to be

moved to another location

or disposed of before notifying health authorities.

MORE

Pet medical insurance companies

Where to find affordable insurance in Arkansas

While your dog may be a walking, barking alarm system, it’s still a good idea to protect you and your furry companion with

homeowners insurance

. With #1 rated super-app

Jerry

, you’ll be connected with competitive quotes from over 55 insurance providers.

Just download the app, enter your information, and you’ll be protected in no time.

The average Jerry user saves over $800 per year! With savings like that, you’ll be able to give your dog the care they need.

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