Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, and the content of this article is for informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice. If you have specific legal questions or concerns, please consult with a licensed attorney in Arkansas.

The harsh reality is that Arkansas has a serious stray dog problem. This is especially true in rural parts of the state. 

If you happen to stumble upon a stray dog in Arkansas that you want to keep, you may be wondering how long before you have some legal rights to that dog. 

It’s of course best to try to reunite that dog with their original owners. But if that fails, what are your legal rights to that stray dog? How long before a stray dog is legally yours in Arizona?

How Long Before A Stray Dog Is Legally Yours In Arkansas?

How Long Before A Stray Dog Is Legally Yours In Arkansas?

The state of Arkansas requires that animal control keep any found stray dogs for at least 5 days. Besides that, the state gives authority to govern the rules regarding stray dogs up to the individual counties. For example, Pulaski County sticks to the minimum 5-day stray hold as set forth by the state. 

Arkansas state code 14-54-1102 states that municipalities across the state are in charge of dogs running at large. The state of Arkansas gives those municipalities full authority to impound, rehome, or euthanize dogs.

However, the state does require that each municipality hold stray dogs for a minimum of 5 days to give the owners time to locate their dogs. 

If you find a stray dog in Arkansas and want to make it legally yours, the state of Arkansas offers no guidance or rules on this matter. The state of Arkansas considers dogs to be property. Therefore, we’ll need to look at Arkansas property laws.

Dogs As Property In Arkansas

Dogs are considered property in Arkansas. AR Code § 18-28-204 indicates that all property presumed abandoned becomes the custody of the state. This means that simply because you found the dog, that does not make it legally yours.

This isn’t unique to Arkansas. Stray dogs in California are also treated as property in the eyes of the law.

This implies that you are required to surrender the dog to a state-run animal shelter. If you ever want that dog to truly become legally yours, you will need to wait the 5-day holding period. After this, you can legally adopt that dog if the owner has not claimed it.

However, again, this is just at the state level. And the state has specifically farmed out governing stray dogs to local municipalities.

Therefore, we’ll need to look more closely at local ordinances to get a better understanding of how you can legally adopt a stray dog that you find in Arkansas.

How Long Before A Stray Dog Is Legally Yours In Arkansas?

Stray Dogs Across Arkansas

The state of Arkansas has given the responsibility of controlling stray dogs up to the counties. Therefore, each county may have their own rules and regulations about how long before a stray dog can be legally yours.

Pulaski County (home of the capital city, Little Rock) follows the 5-day minimum rule set forth by the state. They also specifically state that any stray dog found running at large becomes the property of the city.

This same code also uses pretty clear language that animal control officers “shall take into custody” any stray dog and they “shall impound the dog in the animal control center.” 

Based on this, if you find a stray dog in Little Rock, Arkansas, you are legally required to surrender it to animal control; it is the property of the city, not yours.

However, Benton County, the second largest county in the state, specifies in its municipal code that unmicrochipped or untagged stray dogs will be kept only for 72 hours before being adopted out or euthanized.  

Why their official county policy directly contradicts the state’s requirements for them is mysterious to me. 

However, stray dogs that are found with tags or microchips will be kept for a minimum of 10 days before being adopted out or euthanized.

They also use less strong wording in their ordinances about whether or not stray dogs will be impounded. Whereas Pulaski County used words like “shall” and “must,” Benton County says stray dogs “may” be impounded. (source)

By the way, if you’ve recently found a stray, you may be wondering how old it is. My guide to figuring out how old your dog is will definitely come in handy.

Conclusion

The state’s decentralized approach, which places the responsibility on individual counties, means that the rules can vary significantly from one county to another.

These disparities underscore the importance your own local ordinances. And, while the Bear State might view dogs as legal property, please remember that you have an ethical responsibility for dogs and your neighbors.

Adopting a stray dog that you find in Arkansas isn’t just about the legal nuances; it’s about compassion.

If you come across a stray dog, always prioritize their safety and well-being, and consult local regulations to ensure you’re acting within the law.

Sources

3 thoughts on “How Long Before A Stray Dog Is Legally Yours In Arkansas?”

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