§ 20-19-301. Title
This subchapter shall be known as the “Rabies Control Act”.
§ 20-19-302. Definitions
As used in this subchapter: (1) “Animal” means any animal other than dogs or cats that may be affected by rabies; (2) “Cats” means any domestic feline animal, species Felis catus; (3) “Dogs” means any domestic canine animal, species Canis lupus familiaris; (4) “Has been bitten” means the skin has been penetrated by an animal’s […]
§ 20-19-303. Power of political subdivisions not limited — Applicability
(a) This subchapter does not limit in any manner the power of any municipality or political subdivision to prohibit dogs, cats, or other animals from running at large whether or not they have been vaccinated against rabies as provided in this subchapter. (b) This subchapter does not limit in any manner the power of any […]
§ 20-19-304. Penalties
(a) (1) A person shall be guilty of a violation for: (A) Violating or aiding in or abetting the violation of any provision of this subchapter; (B) Making a misrepresentation in regard to any matter prescribed by this subchapter; (C) Resisting, obstructing, or impeding any authorized officer in enforcing this subchapter; or (D) Refusing to […]
§ 20-19-305. Vaccination for dogs, cats, and other animals required
All dogs, cats, and other animals shall be vaccinated against rabies as required by the State Board of Health.
§ 20-19-306. Illegal acts when person bitten
(a) It is unlawful for any person bitten, the family, treating physician, or veterinarian that has knowledge of a person bitten by a dog, cat, or other animal to refuse to notify the health authorities promptly. (b) It is unlawful for the owner of the dog, cat, or other animal to sell, give away, transfer, […]
§ 20-19-307. Confinement of animal when person bitten
(a) (1) Whenever the health authorities, county sheriff’s office, or municipal police officers in cooperation with health authorities receive information that any person has been bitten by a dog, cat, or other animal, these local public officials acting in cooperation shall have the dog or other animal confined and observed. (2) If there is no […]
§ 20-19-308. Shipment to laboratory of head of animal suspected of being rabid
Any person causing the death of an animal, either wild or domesticated, suspected of being rabid shall cause the head of the animal to be presented to a county health unit of the county in which the animal was killed.
§ 20-19-309. Area quarantine
(a) (1) The Secretary of the Department of Health shall place certain areas under a rabies quarantine upon request of proper local officials. (2) In serious situations, the secretary may place the area under quarantine without waiting for a local request. (b) The occurrence of three (3) or more positive rabies cases in animals shall […]
§ 20-19-310. Authority to impose additional measures
Whenever the proper officials or a government unit are convinced that the situation is conducive to the spread of rabies, additional measures may be imposed by the government unit if deemed necessary to prevent the spread of rabies among dogs and other animals. The government unit involved may require: (1) That all dogs, cats, or […]
§ 20-19-311. Administration by Secretary of the Department of Health
The Secretary of the Department of Health or his or her official representative shall have the responsibility for carrying out the provisions of this subchapter.
§ 20-19-312. State Board of Health’s authority to regulate
(a) The State Board of Health shall adopt rules necessary to carry out this subchapter, with subsequent amendments as needed. (b) The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission may adopt rules as are necessary pertaining to dogs and cats transported or moved into Arkansas for any purpose.