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Animal Services

Basic Animal Control Laws

Every dog or cat four (4) months or older must be vaccinated for Rabies and be licensed by the City of Little Rock (the animal must wear the license on a collar or harness at all times).

All dogs must be confined on the owner’s property by a fence, pen or by tethering to an approved trolley system. Any loose animals in your neighborhood should be reported to Animal Services for their safety and yours. Dogs in an open vehicle or pickup must be confined within a crate or carrier, or inside vehicle cab.

Residents may not exceed four (4) dogs and four (4) cats per household unless a kennel permit is obtained.

Penned animals must be kept clean and sanitary and should not give off offensive odors. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IS AGAINST THE LAW. This includes intentional cruelty, such as shooting or poisoning, and neglect. Cruelty to animals (including neglect) is a punishable crime in Little Rock. Cruelty includes physical abuse and abuse by neglect, which is failure to provide adequate shelter, food, water and medical care.

Animal bites that break the victim's skin must be reported to Animal Services immediately. These animals must be quarantined for a period of ten (10) days regardless of vaccination status (Rabies is not common to pets in Arkansas but precautions must be taken). The owner of the animal is responsible for all costs. The keeping of exotic wildlife including carnivore, innately wild animals, non-human primates and venomous reptiles is prohibited.

Contact Animal Services for complete listing of applicable Animal Control Laws or additional information.

Animal Specifics

Potentially Dangerous Breeds

In February 2008, the Little Rock City Board of Directors passed an ordinance requiring individuals within the City of Little Rock who are owners of certain breeds of dogs to register these animals. The dogs that must be registered are those with a primary breed that is American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffordshire Terrier. These must be registered at the Little Rock Animal Village, 4500 Kramer Street, Little Rock.

The requirements and documents needed for registration are:

  • Proof of Spay or Neuter (or Veterinarian documentation of medical condition that would not allow sterilization)

  • Photo with owner will be taken at the Animal Village. Dog must be present at registration so that the photo can be taken.

  • Micro Chipping of Dog

  • Current Rabies Vaccination

  • Current City License

  • $150.00 Fee (per Animal) for Registration is Required

  • All Dogs of these Breeds must be Confined by a Fence or in a Structure.

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Download Application for Potentially Dangerous Dogs

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Note: A maximum of Two (2) dogs of these breeds will be allowed to be owned.

Small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs and fowl, such as chickens, guineas, turkeys and the like may be kept within the city limits, subject to the following provisions:

a. For rabbits, four (4) square feet per animal over four (4) months of age.

b. For turkeys, four (4) square feet per animal over four (4) months of age.

c. For chickens and similar fowl, three (3) square feet per bird over four (4) months of age.

d. For bantams, three (3) square feet per bird over four (4) months of age.

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Provisions of this section do not apply to pea fowl or ducks.

All pens or yards where such animals are kept shall be placed the following minimum distances from any business establishment or any residence other than that of the owner of same:

a. Rabbits, ten (10) feet.

b. All other animals referred to in paragraph (1) of this section, twenty-five (25) feet; provided, however, that chickens or similar fowls must be kept at least five (5) feet from owner's residence as well as twenty-five (25) feet from the house of the nearest neighbor.

(Ord. No. 18,668, § 3, 4-2-02; Ord. No. 18,959, § 4, 10-7-03)

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*Roosters are not allowed in the city*

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