No, it’s not outright illegal statewide in Arkansas to leave your pet chained outside, but strict welfare standards and local ordinances heavily regulate it to prevent cruelty.
Arkansas law focuses on prohibiting neglect or inhumane conditions rather than banning chaining entirely.
Statewide Regulations
Arkansas Code § 5-62-101 et seq. (animal cruelty statutes) makes it a misdemeanor or felony to tether or confine any animal, including dogs, in a way that causes unnecessary suffering, such as inadequate shelter, water, or protection from extreme weather.
There’s no fixed time limit on chaining, but continuous restraint without exercise, shade, or proper harnesses (no choke chains) can trigger charges if it leads to injury or distress. Primates face a specific outdoor tethering ban, but dogs fall under general anti-cruelty rules.
Local Ordinances
Many cities impose tougher restrictions since Arkansas lacks full preemption:
- Fayetteville bans prolonged chaining, allowing only trolley systems with owner supervision.
- Sherwood prohibits chaining to stationary objects except briefly (<1 hour for livestock); trolleys are okay for fenced escape-prone dogs.
- Jonesboro limits tethering to 2 hours max for small adult dogs (<20 lbs) and regulates trolleys (15+ ft cable, no hazards).
- North Little Rock and Benton have explored or enacted bans on stationary tethers, emphasizing safety harnesses under 25% of body weight.
| City Example | Chaining Rule | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Sherwood | No stationary tethers | Trolleys in fenced yards |
| Jonesboro | Max 2 hrs for small dogs | Trolleys ≥15 ft |
| Fayetteville | Generally banned | Supervised trolleys |
Cruelty Triggers
Leaving a pet chained in extreme heat (no shade), cold, or during weather alerts violates § 5-62-104 if it risks health based on breed/age. Penalties include fines up to $10,000, jail time (up to 1 year misdemeanor; 4+ years felony for aggravated cases), and pet removal.
Best Practices
Use trolley runs over chains for movement; provide constant water, shelter, and vet checks. Check your city’s code (e.g., Little Rock allows tethers but monitors welfare).
Advocacy groups like Unchain Your Dog track updates—report suspected neglect to local animal control.
SOURCES :
- https://aldf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Animal-Protection-Laws-of-Arkansas-2018.pdf
- http://www.unchainyourdog.org/news/070418_Fayetteville.htm
