Little Rock, Arkansas

Sec. 6-16. – Confinement.

(g) Penalty, failure to confine. Conviction for failure to confine a dog in violation of this section shall result in a fine as follows:

(1) For a sterilized dog:

a. The first violation within a three-year period shall result in a twenty-five-dollar fine.

b. The second violation within a three-year period shall result in a seventy-five-dollar fine.

c. The third and each subsequent violation within a three-year period shall result in a one-hundred-dollar fine.

(2) For an unsterilized dog:

a. The first violation within a three-year period shall result in a one-hundred-dollar fine, unless by time of sentencing for the violation, proof of sterilization of the animal has been produced, in which case the fine structure applicable to sterilized dogs in subsection (g)(1) herein shall apply.

b. The second and each subsequent violation within a three-year period shall result in a two-hundred-dollar fine, unless by time of sentencing for the violation, proof of sterilization of the animal has been produced, in which case the fine structure applicable to sterilized dogs in subsection (g)(1) herein shall apply.

c. The fine structure applicable to sterilized dogs in subsection (g)(1) herein shall also apply to unsterilized dogs too elderly or infirm to breed, as previously certified in writing as such at the time of the dog’s licensing by a veterinarian licensed to practice within the state.

Sec. 6-28. – Confinement.

(b) Sterilization. All free-roaming cats shall be sterilized unless the owner’s veterinarian, licensed by the state, certifies in writing that the animal is physically unable to reproduce or that the animal is medically compromised to the extent that it cannot be sterilized safely.

Sec. 6-49. – Release of unaltered (unsterilized) animals.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any animal control shelter or animal humane organization to release any unaltered dog or cat to a new owner unless a written agreement to spay or neuter such animal has been signed by the person acquiring the animal and an officer/agent for the animal control shelter or animal humane organization.

(b) The sterilization shall be performed by the date stipulated, but if an extension of time is necessary for a valid reason, the owner shall request and must receive approval for such extension. In the event an extension is granted, a written extension agreement must be signed by the owner and an officer/agent of the animal control shelter or the animal humane organization. The maximum extension that may be granted is thirty (30) days. A copy of the signed written agreement and any extension agreement must be provided to the division of animal control and must be kept on file by the division of animal control. The signed written agreement shall be binding and failure to comply is unlawful. Upon failure to comply:

(1) The animal shall be returned by the owner to the animal control shelter or animal humane organization which released the animal; and

(2) Ownership of the animal reverts to the agency which released the animal;

(3) No claim may be made by the owner to recover expenses incurred for maintenance of the animal, including the initial procurement cost.

(c) This section does not prevent the manager of the division of animal control from establishing clinics for the purpose of sterilization.