The legality of leaving pets—specifically dogs—chained or tethered outside in Arkansas depends largely on local ordinances, as the state does not have a comprehensive statewide law regulating dog tethering. However, some cities have enacted their own restrictions, while others have no specific rules, leaving general animal cruelty statutes as the primary protection.
Statewide Laws: Limited Specifics
Arkansas state law does not specifically prohibit chaining or tethering dogs outdoors. The state’s animal protection statutes focus primarily on cruelty, neglect, and basic care standards. For example, it is unlawful to tether primates outdoors, but there is no equivalent statewide ban for dogs or other common pets. Instead, the state relies on local governments to enact and enforce more detailed tethering or chaining regulations.
Local Ordinances: City-by-City Rules
Jonesboro, Arkansas is one example of a city with detailed tethering laws. According to Jonesboro’s municipal code, it is generally unlawful to tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog to stationary objects such as houses, trees, or fences, except under specific, limited circumstances:
- Adult dogs (over one year old and under 20 pounds) may be tethered for up to two hours.
- Tethering using a trolley system is allowed, but with strict limitations:
- No more than 12 consecutive hours or 18 hours total in a 24-hour period.
- Puppies under three months may only be tethered for one consecutive hour or eight hours total in a day.
- Dogs that are not spayed or neutered cannot be tethered at all; they must be kept in a secure pen or indoors.
- Tethering must not cause harm, such as using ill-fitting collars or heavy chains, and must not allow the dog to leave the owner’s property or be within 25 feet of another dwelling.
Violating these rules can result in citations and penalties from local animal control authorities.
Benton, Arkansas currently has no restrictions on dog tethering, as a proposed ordinance to ban or limit chaining failed to pass. Animal control officials in Benton have voiced concerns about the welfare of dogs left chained outside, especially in extreme weather, but for now, there are no legal limits.
General Animal Cruelty Protections
Even in areas without specific tethering ordinances, Arkansas’s general animal cruelty laws still apply. If a pet is left chained outside without adequate shelter, food, or water, or in a manner that causes harm or distress, the owner could be prosecuted for animal cruelty. This includes situations where the animal is exposed to extreme heat, cold, or dangerous conditions.
No Statewide Leash or Tethering Law
Unlike some states that have enacted limits on the number of hours a dog can be tethered or have banned chaining altogether, Arkansas leaves most of these decisions to local governments. This means that the legality of chaining a pet outside varies widely from one city or county to another.
Key Takeaways
- No statewide ban: Arkansas does not have a law that universally prohibits chaining or tethering dogs outside.
- Local ordinances vary: Some cities, like Jonesboro, have strict rules; others, like Benton, have none.
- Cruelty laws apply: Regardless of local tethering rules, animal cruelty statutes protect pets from neglect and harm.
- Check your city’s code: Pet owners should consult their local animal control or city ordinances to ensure compliance.
Leaving a pet chained outside is not universally illegal in Arkansas, but it may be restricted or regulated depending on where you live. Cities like Jonesboro have detailed laws to protect dogs from the dangers of prolonged or improper tethering, while other areas may have no specific rules.
Regardless, all pet owners are required to provide adequate care and avoid cruelty, and violations can result in legal consequences. Always check your local regulations before tethering your pet outdoors.
SOURCES:-
[1] https://www.peta.org/issues/animal-companion-issues/ordinances/jonesboro-arkansas/
[2] https://www.jamesforarkansas.com/arkansas-dog-laws/
[3] https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-dog-tether-laws
[4] https://aldf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Animal-Protection-Laws-of-Arkansas-2018.pdf
[5] https://katv.com/news/local/dog-tethering-ordinance-fails-in-benton-city-council-expected-to-vote-on-revision
