The state-level rules every owner and walker in Arkansas should know. Local leash lengths, licensing and off-leash rules are set by each city — find those on the city pages below.
Arkansas has no statewide dog-bite statute — it's a one-bite / negligence state where the specific local ordinance decides the case, and a leash violation is evidence of negligence.
Arkansas has no statewide dog-bite statute — it is a one-bite / negligence state, though local ordinances vary widely and some counties impose their own strict-liability rules. Recovery runs on scienter (the owner knew or should have known the dog was vicious — liable regardless of precautions, even a caged known-vicious dog that escapes) or negligence / negligence per se (an ordinary-care duty to keep the dog from running at large; a local leash or at-large violation is evidence of negligence). Liability first requires the defendant owned or kept the dog — so a walker who keeps or controls the dog is a potential defendant.
There is also a criminal hook: Ark. Code § 5-62-125 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to negligently allow a vicious dog to cause serious injury or death, and the court can order restitution for the victim's medical bills. Dangerous-dog rules require designation, $100,000 insurance, microchip, enclosure, and leash or muzzle off-property.
Arkansas applies modified comparative fault (check the local rule), and leash rules are local (for example, Little Rock requires confinement or a leash). The personal-injury limit is three years.
This is general information about Arkansas law, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the official state and municipal sources.