§ 20-19-102 — Injuries to domesticated animals by dogs - Definition

(a) (1) As used in this section, "domesticated animals" includes, but is not limited to, sheep, goats, cattle, swine, and poultry. (2) A person owning or having in possession or under control a dog is liable for damages to the owner or owners of a domesticated animal killed or injured by the dog for the full value of the domesticated animal killed or injured. (b) (1) A person engaged in raising domesticated animals or owning domesticated animals who sustains a loss or damage to any of his or her domesticated animals by a dog has a right of action against the owner, possessor, or controller of the dog. (2) A person knowing that a dog has killed or is about to catch, injure, or kill a domesticated animal has the right to kill the dog, without liability to the owner of the dog. (c) The person sustaining loss or damage under subsection (b) of this section and desiring remuneration may go before the circuit court or district court having jurisdiction where the loss or damage occurred and allege the loss or damage sustained, the value of the loss or damage, and the identity of the dog and the dog's owner, possessor, or controller by filing a complaint with the circuit court or district court having jurisdiction as permitted by the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, which under the rules may issue a summons to the defendant to appear in the circuit court or district court having jurisdiction and answer the allegations.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2017, No. 299,§ 4, eff. 8/1/2017. Acts 1887, No. 136, §§ 1-4, p. 235; 1917, No. 155, §§ 1, 2; C. & M. Dig., §§ 339-343; Pope's Dig., §§ 354-358; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 78-206 -- 78-210; Acts 1987, No. 393, §§ 1, 2.