Arkansas Dog Bite Law
TITLE 20. PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
SUBTITLE 2. HEALTH AND SAFETY
CHAPTER 19. ANIMALS
SUBCHAPTER 4. OWNERSHIP AND BREEDING OF WOLVES AND WOLF-DOG HYBRIDS
A.C.A. § 20-19-406 (2003)
§ 20-19-406. Vaccination
(a) Wolves and wolf-dog hybrids are required to be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian against rabies with a vaccine approved for dog use, and a rabies certificate may be issued.
(b) Veterinarians must inform the owner of the wolf or wolf-dog hybrid, preferably in writing, that the vaccination is considered "off label" and that protection against rabies is not guaranteed.
(c) If a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid bites a person, the following criteria will be used by an official of the Department of Health in dealing with the animal:
(1) The decision shall consider, at least:
(A) The epidemiology and risk of rabies in the species of animal in question;
(B) Possible prior exposure to a rabies vector;
(C) Behavior of the animal at the time of the bite;
(D) Prior rabies vaccinations; and
(E) Other circumstances that may exist;
(2) In some situations, the department will consider the initiative and willingness of the individual so exposed to submit to postexposure antirabies immunization after being adequately informed of all potential risks;
(3) Upon written order by the Director of the Department of Health or a specifically designated representative, any biting animal determined to be at significant risk for the transmission of rabies shall be humanely killed and the brain tissue submitted for testing; and
(4) The department has the authority to order the quarantine of an animal determined to be a very low risk for the transmission of rabies for a thirty-day observation period as an alternate method to euthanasia and testing.
(d) Owners must be notified and given three (3) business days to provide proof to the department in their animal's defense before the animal can be euthanized.
(e) If, in the future, the United States Department of Agriculture approves the use of rabies vaccines in wolves or wolf-dog hybrids, or both, then wolves and wolf-dog hybrids will fall under the same regulations as dogs regarding biting humans and rabies control.
HISTORY: Acts 2001, No. 1768, § 6.
USER NOTE: For more generally applicable notes, see notes under the first section of this part, article, subchapter, chapter, subtitle, or title.
TITLE 20. PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
SUBTITLE 2. HEALTH AND SAFETY
CHAPTER 19. ANIMALS
SUBCHAPTER 4. OWNERSHIP AND BREEDING OF WOLVES AND WOLF-DOG HYBRIDS
A.C.A. § 20-19-407 (2003)
§ 20-19-407. Penalties
(a) If a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid bites a person or injures or destroys another animal while out of its confined area, the person responsible for the adequate confinement of the animal upon conviction shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(b) If a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid is not adequately confined or fed, the person responsible for adequate confinement or adequate feeding of the animal, or both adequate feeding and adequate confinement upon conviction shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) A person who abandons or releases a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid into the wild upon conviction shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
HISTORY: Acts 2001, No. 1768, § 7.
USER NOTE: For more generally applicable notes, see notes under the first section of this part, article, subchapter, chapter, subtitle, or title.
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