Dardanelle, Arkansas

Sec. 4-61. – Spay and neuter requirements; penalty.

(a) Sterilization of dogs and cats.

(1) All dogs and cats shall be sterilized prior to being sold or released for adoption from any animal shelter, pound or veterinarian clinic engaged by the city by either:

a. Providing for sterilization by a veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the animal; or

b. Entering into a written agreement with the adopted purchaser that guarantees that sterilization will be performed prior to sexual maturity or as soon as medically possible if it is determined by a veterinarian that sterilization would endanger the animal’s health due to its age, infirmity, disability or illness. The sterilization shall be performed by the date stipulated, the signed promise shall be binding, and failure to comply shall constitute a violation of this section.

(2) In such case, the animal described therein shall be returned to the releasing agency upon demand. Ownership of the animal reverts to the releasing agency in such instance. No claim may be made by the owner to recover expenses incurred for maintenance of the animal, including the initial procurement cost.

(3) Violations of this section are punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00.

(b) Additional penalty for dogs and cats not spayed or neutered. Any owner found to be in violation of any provision of this section that involves an at-large dog or cat shall be assessed an additional fine of $100.00 if the dog or cat has not been spayed or neutered. If the owner of such dog or cat shall have the dog or cat spayed or neutered within ten days after receipt of the violation, the court may, in its discretion, suspend the additional fine.

Sec. 4-160. – Redemption by owner.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the owner of any impounded animal may redeem the animal, upon payment to the city of the following:

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(5) The cost of sterilization, unless applicable certification documenting animal is already sterile, or a sterilization deposit, as applicable;

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(b) If an owned animal is habitually at large, the owner upon conditions of redemption shall pay a sufficient deposit, as determined by animal control, as a condition of the agreement to sterilize, which deposit shall be refundable upon presenting to the animal control written verification by the veterinarian who performed the sterilization that the animal has been sterilized.

Sec. 4-165. – Sterilization required prior to redemption of adoption; exception.

All dogs and cats redeemed or adopted from animal control shall be sterilized, as applicable, by a veterinarian before redemption or adoption, except when a veterinarian determines that sterilization would endanger the animal’s health due to its age, infirmity, disability or illness. In such case, the owner or adopter shall sign a written agreement that sterilization shall be performed as soon as health permits, and in the case of kittens and puppies, at eight weeks of age. In addition, the owner or adopter shall pay a deposit in the amount of $100.00, to animal control, as a condition of the agreement to sterilize, which deposit shall be refundable upon presenting to animal control written verification by the veterinarian who performed the sterilization that the animal has been sterilized. An animal redeemed by its owner who submits proof that the animal is used for breeding or exhibition purposes is exempt from sterilization.