Arkansas Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights

Arkansas assigns dog bite liability through the common-law one-bite rule, requiring victims to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous, or through ordinary negligence. No statewide civil statute governs these claims; liability turns on what the owner knew and how they acted under common-law principles.

Estimate your claim: Use our free Arkansas Dog Bite Settlement Calculator to see a rough settlement range based on the medical bills, the bite location, the victim's age, and Arkansas's liability rule.

How Dog Bite Liability Works in Arkansas

Arkansas does not have a statewide civil statute that governs dog bite liability. Instead, victims must rely on common-law principles to hold dog owners responsible. The two primary legal theories are the one-bite rule (scienter) and ordinary negligence. Both come from Arkansas common law and court decisions, not from any statute.

This means your path to compensation depends heavily on what the dog owner knew about the animal and what steps they took to prevent an attack.

The One-Bite Rule (Scienter)

Under Arkansas common law, a dog owner can be held liable if the victim proves the owner knew or had reason to know the dog had a propensity to bite, attack, or behave aggressively. This is sometimes called the "scienter" standard, from the Latin word meaning "knowingly."

To succeed under this theory, a victim must show:

• The dog had previously bitten someone or displayed aggressive behavior
• The owner was aware of this dangerous history
• The owner failed to take adequate precautions
• The failure to act caused the victim's injuries

A dog does not necessarily need to have bitten before. Lunging at people, growling threateningly, or escaping confinement repeatedly can all serve as evidence that the owner knew of a dangerous propensity.

Negligence as a Basis for Liability

Even without prior knowledge of dangerous behavior, a dog owner in Arkansas can be held liable through ordinary negligence. Under this theory, the victim must prove four elements:

1. The owner owed a duty of care to the victim
2. The owner breached that duty
3. The breach was the direct cause of the injury
4. The victim suffered actual damages

Common examples of negligence include allowing a dog to roam without a leash in violation of local ordinances, failing to secure a fence or gate, or leaving a known escape artist unsupervised.

Violating a local leash law or animal control ordinance counts as evidence of negligence in Arkansas courts.

Local Ordinances That Override the One-Bite Rule

While Arkansas follows the one-bite rule at the state level, some counties and cities have adopted strict liability ordinances that provide stronger protections for dog bite victims.

Benton County Strict Liability

Benton County enforces one of the most victim-friendly dog bite ordinances in the state. Under Benton County Code of Ordinances Section 10-2, the owner of any animal is liable for property damages and injuries caused by the animal while off the owner's property. This applies regardless of whether the owner knew about aggressive tendencies.

In Benton County, a victim does not need to prove the dog had a history of biting. The owner is automatically liable for injuries their dog causes off their own property.

Other Local Variations

Springdale and other Arkansas municipalities have enacted their own animal control ordinances. Some impose strict liability standards similar to Benton County, while others follow the state's one-bite approach. Always check the ordinances in the specific city or county where the bite occurred.

Criminal Penalties Under Arkansas Code 5-62-125

Arkansas does have one statewide statute that addresses dog attacks directly. Arkansas Code 5-62-125 creates the criminal offense of "unlawful dog attack."

A person commits this offense if:

1. They own a dog they know or have reason to know has a propensity to attack or endanger others without provocation
2. They negligently allow the dog to attack another person
3. The attack causes serious physical injury or death

Penalties for Unlawful Dog Attack

Unlawful dog attack is classified as a Class A misdemeanor under Arkansas law. The penalties include:

Under Arkansas Code 5-4-205, the court or jury may also require the defendant to pay restitution for the victim's medical expenses resulting from the attack.

These criminal penalties exist alongside any civil liability. A dog owner can face both criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit from the same incident.

Damages Dog Bite Victims Can Recover

Dog bite victims in Arkansas may pursue several categories of compensation through a civil lawsuit.

Economic Damages

These cover measurable financial losses:

• Emergency room visits, surgery, and hospitalization
• Ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications
• Lost wages during recovery
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Property damage (clothing, personal items)

Non-Economic Damages

These compensate for subjective harm:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and anxiety
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Post-traumatic stress, especially in children

How Comparative Fault Affects Your Claim

Arkansas uses a modified comparative fault system with a 50% bar. This means:

• If you are found less than 50% at fault for the incident, you can still recover damages, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault
• If you are found 50% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation

For example, if a jury awards $100,000 in damages but finds you were 20% at fault (perhaps you ignored a "Beware of Dog" sign), your recovery is reduced to $80,000.

Statute of Limitations

Under Arkansas Code 16-56-105, you have three years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Key details about the filing deadline:

• The clock starts on the date the bite occurs
• If the victim is a minor, the deadline is tolled (paused) until they turn 18, giving them until age 21 to file
• Arkansas recognizes a discovery rule: if the full extent of injuries was not immediately apparent, the deadline may start from the date you discovered or should have discovered the injury
• Claims against government entities (such as a dog owned by a city employee on duty) often have shorter notice requirements

Missing this deadline almost always results in the court dismissing your case, regardless of its merits.

Dog Owner Responsibilities

Arkansas dog owners must follow several legal requirements that vary by jurisdiction.

Rabies Vaccination

Arkansas Code 20-19-305 states the requirement in a single sentence and delegates every detail: all dogs, cats, and other animals "shall be vaccinated against rabies as required by the State Board of Health."

The specifics come from the Board's Rules Pertaining to Rabies Control, promulgated under Arkansas Code 20-19-301 et seq. Under Section III.A of those rules, the owner of every dog or cat four months of age or older must have the animal vaccinated against rabies. Unvaccinated dogs or cats more than four months old that are acquired or moved into the state must be vaccinated within 30 days of purchase or arrival, unless there is documented evidence of current vaccination.

The rules count a vaccination only if it is administered by a licensed veterinarian, a veterinary technician, a veterinary technologist, a veterinary technician specialist, or an agent of the Health Department.

Leash and Confinement Laws

Arkansas does not have a statewide leash law. However, most cities and counties have enacted their own leash ordinances. Common requirements include:

• Dogs must be on a leash when in public areas
• Dogs must be securely confined on the owner's property
• Owners of designated dangerous dogs must use a muzzle and leash in public

Licensing

Most Arkansas municipalities require dog owners to register and license their pets. Licensing requirements and fees vary by jurisdiction.

Legal Defenses Available to Dog Owners

Dog owners in Arkansas can raise several defenses to reduce or eliminate liability.

Provocation

If the victim provoked the dog through teasing, tormenting, hitting, or other aggressive behavior, the owner may avoid liability. The provocation must be severe enough that a normally calm dog would react aggressively.

Trespassing

Dog owners typically have reduced or no liability when a dog bites someone who is trespassing on the owner's property. However, this defense may not fully apply to children, who may not understand property boundaries.

Comparative Fault

As discussed above, if the victim shares blame for the incident, the owner can argue for a reduction in damages. If the victim is 50% or more at fault, the owner owes nothing.

Assumption of Risk

People who voluntarily accept the risk of working with dogs, such as veterinarians, groomers, or kennel workers, may have limited ability to recover damages if bitten while performing their professional duties.

Dangerous Dog Designations

Arkansas has no statewide dangerous-dog or vicious-dog statute. The Arkansas Code creates no such classification, and Arkansas Code 20-19-303 expressly leaves municipalities and other political subdivisions free to further control and regulate dogs. Every dangerous-dog designation in Arkansas therefore comes from a city or county ordinance, so both the criteria and the consequences differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Local ordinances that create a dangerous-dog category commonly apply it to a dog that has:

• Bitten a person without provocation
• Killed or seriously injured a domestic animal while off its owner's property
• Been previously designated as potentially dangerous and continues to exhibit threatening behavior

Depending on which ordinance applies, an owner of a dog designated dangerous may face requirements such as:

• Carrying liability insurance in whatever amount the ordinance sets
• Keeping the dog in a secure, escape-proof enclosure
• Using a muzzle and leash whenever the dog is in public
• Posting visible warning signs on the property
• Microchipping and registering the dog with animal control

Because none of this comes from state law, read the ordinance for the city or county where the dog is kept to learn which requirements actually apply and in what amounts. Failure to comply with a local dangerous dog ordinance can result in fines, seizure of the dog, or criminal charges.

Breed-Specific Legislation in Arkansas

Several Arkansas cities have enacted breed-specific legislation (BSL) that restricts or bans certain dog breeds.

Cities With Active Breed Bans

Legislative Efforts to Preempt BSL

In 2023, HB 1519 sought to prohibit municipalities from enacting breed-specific regulations. The bill was defeated in the Arkansas House by a 34-45 vote. Advocacy groups have continued to push for similar legislation in subsequent sessions.

If you own a restricted breed, check the specific ordinances in your city before moving or traveling with your dog.

Landlord Liability for Dog Bites

Arkansas is one of the most landlord-friendly states regarding dog bite liability. Under Arkansas case law, including Bryant v. Putnam, 322 Ark. 284 (1995), landlords generally are not liable for injuries caused by a tenant's dog, even if the landlord knew the dog was dangerous.

Arkansas Code 18-16-110 bars a claim against a landlord for injury caused by a defect or disrepair on the premises unless the landlord both (1) agreed, supported by consideration, or assumed by conduct a duty to undertake an obligation to maintain or repair the leased premises, and (2) failed to perform that agreement or assumed duty in a reasonable manner. The assumption-by-conduct route matters: a landlord who has taken on repairs in practice may fall inside the statute even without a written promise. Courts have not extended this to impose a duty on landlords to control tenants' animals.

Landlords can still protect themselves by:

• Including pet policies and breed restrictions in lease agreements
• Requiring tenants with dogs to carry renter's insurance with liability coverage
• Reserving the right to require removal of animals that pose a safety risk

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Arkansas

If you are bitten by a dog in Arkansas, taking these steps promptly protects both your health and your legal rights:

1. Get medical treatment immediately. Dog bites carry risks of infection, nerve damage, and scarring. Keep all medical records and receipts.
2. Report the bite to animal control. File a report with your local animal control agency and, if the injury is serious, with law enforcement.
3. Document everything. Photograph your injuries, the location where the bite occurred, and the dog if you can do so safely.
4. Collect the owner's information. Get the dog owner's name, address, phone number, and homeowner's or renter's insurance details.
5. Find witnesses. Get contact information from anyone who saw the attack.
6. Preserve evidence. Keep torn or bloodied clothing and any other physical evidence.
7. Contact a personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer can evaluate whether to pursue a claim under the one-bite rule, negligence, or a local strict liability ordinance.

More Arkansas Laws

• Arkansas Slip and Fall Laws
• Arkansas Statute of Limitations