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Unlawful dog attack law passed (Arkansas)
Unlawful dog attack law passed
The unlawful dog attack law has also passed. The offense requires
that the dog owner have reason to know that the dog is likely to
attack and, with this knowledge, negligently allows the dog to
attack.Ê The attack must cause death or serious physical injury.
Unlawful dog attack would be a Class A misdemeanor,
punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to
$1,000. Police believe the law might be hard to enforce
because the owner would have to prove the dog had never been
vicious in the past. “I think what you are going to see is
someone having to prove the animal has been violent before.
An example would be neighbors coming forward and saying they
have seen violent behavior,” Rankin said.
The TAPD has worked several dog attacks in recent
months, including one on Artesian Street where a woman
was bitten several times. Rankin said he does not
believe that attack would result in charges according to
the guideline of the bill. The dog that bit her was in a
fenced yard and the woman had entered the yard by her
own will, Rankin said. The law also does not apply if
someone is provoking or aggravating a dog and the animal
attacks.
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