Arkansas does not ban pit bulls at the state level, but that does not mean you can keep one anywhere in the state without restriction. Dozens of cities and municipalities across Arkansas have enacted their own breed-specific ordinances — some banning pit bulls outright, others requiring permits, insurance, and strict containment.
If you own a pit bull in Arkansas, or plan to move there with one, the rules that apply to you depend almost entirely on your specific city or county. This guide walks you through what the law actually says, which cities enforce bans, and what you need to do to stay in compliance wherever you live.
Does Arkansas Allow Breed-Specific Legislation
Arkansas does not have a statewide preemption law blocking local governments from passing breed-specific legislation (BSL). Twenty-two states prohibit local governments from enacting breed-specific legislation — meaning no city, county, or town within those states can single out pit bulls or any other breed for bans or special restrictions. Arkansas is not among them.
Because Arkansas gives municipalities the authority to regulate animal ownership at the local level, individual cities and counties are free to pass their own pit bull ordinances. Many counties and cities in Arkansas have enacted pit bull bans or require special restrictions. This creates a patchwork of rules that can vary dramatically from one town to the next.
Efforts have been made to change this. A bill, HB 1519, was introduced in the Arkansas legislature that would have prohibited cities and counties from enacting or enforcing breed-specific laws. The legislation was defeated in a 34-to-45 vote. As a result, the authority to ban or restrict pit bulls remains firmly in the hands of local governments — and many have used it.
Key Insight: Arkansas has no statewide pit bull ban and no law preventing cities from passing one. Always verify your specific city or county ordinance before bringing a pit bull into any Arkansas municipality.
Local Pit Bull Bans and Restrictions in Arkansas
More than thirty-five cities across Arkansas have banned pit bulls. The ordinances vary in how broadly they define the term “pit bull” and whether they allow any exceptions for grandfathered dogs or registered show animals.
Several cities enforce outright bans with very limited exceptions:
- North Little Rock — Pit bull breeds of dogs are banned entirely and may not be owned or kept within the city. Exceptions exist for registered AKC show dogs and dogs that are grandfathered in, as long as the owner is at least 21 years old, has the dog sterilized and vaccinated for rabies, keeps it properly confined, uses a leash, and displays a “Beware of Dog” sign.
- Batesville — Pit bull dogs are banned and may not be owned or kept within the city, with exceptions for dogs that were licensed prior to the effective date of the ordinance.
- Carlisle — Banned breeds of dogs are banned entirely and may not be owned or kept within the City of Carlisle, Arkansas. Banned breeds include the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Staffordshire Terrier.
- De Queen — It is unlawful for any person to keep within the City of De Queen, Arkansas, any breed of dog identified as “Pit Bull.”
- Gassville — No person shall own or keep a pit bull terrier within the municipal limits of the City of Gassville, Arkansas.
- Sherwood — Sherwood has a ban on pit bull breeds following a deadly attack on a nine-year-old boy. In April 2025, Sherwood’s city council revisited the issue and voted to uphold the pit bull ban.
- Beebe, Blevins — Both cities have enacted outright bans on pit bulls.
Some cities restrict rather than ban pit bulls. In Arkadelphia, it is unlawful for any person to keep within the city limits any pit bull dog, except for AKC or UKC registered show dogs as defined and identified by ordinance. Cabot takes a different approach — pit bulls are declared “potentially dangerous” and may be kept under a permit system with strict conditions.
In Pine Bluff, it is unlawful for any person to keep within the city limits any pit bull dog except in compliance with the specific provisions of the city code. Little Rock similarly does not issue an outright ban but requires registration and compliance with a set of dangerous breed regulations.
Important Note: Ordinances change. The list above reflects information available as of the research date, but local laws are subject to revision. Contact your city’s animal control office directly to confirm the current rules in your municipality.
Pit Bull Ownership Requirements in Arkansas
In cities that allow pit bulls under a permit or registration system, the requirements are typically extensive. While the exact conditions differ by city, a common set of obligations appears across multiple Arkansas municipalities.
In Cabot, for example, the following requirements apply to permitted pit bull owners:
- Liability insurance — The owner must provide documentary proof from an insurance company licensed in the State of Arkansas of liability coverage of not less than $300,000. Proof of homeowners or renters insurance will suffice.
- Microchipping — The dog must be identified by means of a microchip injected under its skin by a licensed veterinarian and maintained as long as the animal is kept within the city limits.
- Sterilization — The owner must provide documentary proof from a licensed veterinarian that their dog has been spayed or neutered.
- Annual city license — The owner must purchase an annual city license for the dog, and the dog must wear the city license tag on its collar at all times.
- Photo on file — The owner must bring their dog to the city animal shelter to have its photo taken with the owner.
- Window sticker — An annual window sticker, provided at the time of registration, must be posted on the owner’s property and visible from the street to indicate that the dog breed resides on the property.
In Little Rock, the owner of any pit bull is allowed to keep the dog within the city limits only if the owner registers the pit bull with the city’s Animal Services Division on an annual basis, pays the dangerous breed registration fee established by the city manager, and obtains a dangerous breed permit and a residence window sticker with each annual registration.
In Pine Bluff, pit bulls must be registered, vaccinated for rabies, sterilized, and the owner must be at least 21 years old and carry liability insurance of $100,000.
These requirements illustrate that even in cities where pit bulls are technically allowed, ownership is a regulated activity with real administrative and financial obligations. Failing to maintain any one of these requirements can result in permit revocation and seizure of the animal.
Housing and Property Restrictions in Arkansas
Even if your city does not ban pit bulls, you may still face restrictions based on your housing situation. Private landlords add another layer of complexity. Even in cities with no breed-specific ordinance, many apartment complexes and rental properties maintain their own breed restrictions as a condition of the lease. Public housing authorities in some cities also ban pit bulls from their developments. These private and quasi-governmental restrictions are generally legal and separate from any municipal breed ban.
If you rent your home, review your lease carefully before bringing a pit bull onto the property. Many landlords specifically list prohibited breeds, and violating that clause can result in eviction or financial penalties regardless of local city law.
Pro Tip: If you rent and own a pit bull, get any landlord permission in writing before moving in. A verbal agreement offers little protection if a dispute arises later.
For homeowners in cities with permit systems, property-specific requirements also apply. In Sherwood, for instance, a securely fenced yard constructed of material at a height that will prevent escape is required — five-foot chain link or six-foot wood privacy fencing is preferred. Chicken or rabbit wire fencing is prohibited. Entry gates must be locked with keyed or combination locks.
Homeowners’ insurance is another concern. Some insurance providers exclude pit bulls from standard policies or charge higher premiums for households with restricted breeds. Check your policy details and be prepared to obtain a separate liability rider if your insurer does not cover pit bull-related incidents.
Containment and Control Laws in Arkansas
Cities that permit pit bull ownership under a registration system consistently impose strict containment and public control standards. These rules apply whether you are at home or out in public with your dog.
In Cabot, containment requirements are clear: the dog shall be confined indoors or by means of a fence that is of adequate height and construction to prevent the dog’s escape. Pit bull dogs shall not be confined by means of an electronic containment device or electronic fence. When outside of an area of confinement, a pit bull dog must be restrained by means of a secure leash held by an adult who has the ability to control the dog.
In Little Rock, public control rules go a step further: during transportation, a pit bull must be confined in a secure temporary enclosure. When outside of an area of containment, a pit bull must be muzzled with a humane muzzle that allows panting and must be restrained by means of a secure leash held by an adult who has the ability to control the dog.
In Sherwood, leash rules are similarly precise: no person shall permit a domesticated animal covered by the ordinance to go outside its containment area unless such animal is muzzled and securely leashed with a leash no longer than four feet in length and held by an adult who has the ability to control the dog.
Across cities, a few common containment principles apply:
- Physical fencing is required — electronic or invisible fences are not accepted as adequate containment.
- Gates and enclosure doors must be secured with locks.
- Leashes must be held by a capable adult, not tied to a stationary object.
- “Beware of Dog” signage must be posted visibly on the property.
Traveling Through or Moving to Arkansas With a Pit Bull
If you are traveling through Arkansas with a pit bull, the key question is whether you will be stopping — and where. A banned breed of dog shall not be considered owned or kept in the city if the dog is only brought into the city to a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine located in the city for the purpose of veterinary care, as is necessary for the completion of veterinary care, or for special event dog shows sanctioned by the city. This language, found in North Little Rock’s ordinance, is typical of how many Arkansas cities treat transient pit bull owners.
In Little Rock, the rules for temporary transport are explicit: a person may temporarily transport into and hold a pit bull in the city limits only for the purpose of transporting the animal to a veterinarian or groomer for care, or to participate in a contest or show sponsored by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club.
If you are moving to Arkansas permanently, research your destination city before you arrive. This list of ordinances is not exhaustive and is subject to change. If you are curious about breed restrictions in your residential area, search your local city website for details or contact animal control. Arriving with a pit bull in a city that bans the breed could result in immediate seizure of your dog.
Important Note: If you are relocating to Arkansas with a pit bull, confirm your destination city’s ordinance before signing a lease or purchasing a home. Some cities allow no grace period for compliance after you move in.
You can also compare how neighboring states handle these laws. For example, see how pit bull laws in Tennessee differ from Arkansas, or review pit bull laws in Texas, where the state has taken a preemption approach that limits local breed bans.
Liability and Penalties for Pit Bull Incidents in Arkansas
Arkansas dog bite law is grounded in the “one bite rule” under common law, which generally requires a victim to show the owner knew or had reason to know the dog was dangerous. However, when a pit bull is involved — especially in a city that has declared the breed dangerous — the legal calculus can shift significantly.
In some instances, you may be able to hold dog owners liable for dog bite injuries under strict liability rules. Strict liability rules are used when no finding of fault can be placed on the dog owner for their dog biting someone, yet the dog owner can still be held liable for the injuries that were caused. This is common when the dog breed is one that is considered dangerous, or having a propensity to violence, such as with a pit bull.
Beyond civil liability, cities impose their own criminal and administrative penalties for violations. In North Little Rock:
- The animal will be seized by North Little Rock Animal Control (NLRAC) and held for three business days for the owner to reclaim the dog with a reclaim fee of $100.00.
- Fines for first offenses can cost $500 per animal and second offenses can cost $1,000 per animal. Fines can vary according to circumstances at the judge’s discretion.
In Sherwood, any dog found to be the subject of a violation shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment or may be euthanized. The owner may be fined up to $1,000 and imprisoned for up to 30 days.
Cities that require liability insurance as a condition of ownership — such as Cabot, Batesville, Pine Bluff, and Sherwood — do so precisely because of the financial risk that comes with an incident. The owner must provide proof of liability insurance or a bond in the amount of $100,000 per occurrence in the event that their dog causes injury or damage. The policy or bond must contain a provision requiring the insurance company to provide written notice to the relevant city department not less than fifteen days prior to any cancellation, termination, or expiration of the policy.
Common Mistake: Assuming that because your city allows pit bulls under a permit system, you have reduced legal exposure if your dog bites someone. Permitted ownership does not shield you from civil liability — it simply means you are allowed to keep the dog.
If your pit bull is involved in an attack or bite incident, you could face simultaneous consequences: permit revocation, animal seizure, criminal fines, and a civil lawsuit. Maintaining your insurance, complying with containment laws, and keeping your registration current are the most effective ways to reduce your legal risk.
For a broader look at how other states handle these issues, you may find it useful to compare pit bull laws in Ohio, pit bull laws in Virginia, or pit bull laws in Oklahoma — each of which takes a notably different approach to breed-specific liability and local regulation.
Understanding the full legal picture in Arkansas — from local bans to insurance mandates to bite liability — is the most important step you can take as a responsible pit bull owner in the state. When in doubt, contact your city’s animal control office directly for the most current and specific guidance that applies to your address.
You can also explore how pit bull laws compare in nearby states such as Alabama, West Virginia, and South Carolina to understand the broader regional landscape.