My name is Genitta S. Pettit, and I’m the sponsor of the Arkansas Stray and Abandoned Animal Protection Act (ASAAPA) — a statewide bill written to deal with the growing danger of stray, dumped, and abandoned dogs.

This bill was created because people are being chased, attacked, and forced to live in fear — often on their own property. Law enforcement usually shows up but doesn’t have clear laws to act on. Animal Control and the Humane Society say there’s nothing illegal about dogs being left out in the woods without a home.

ASAAPA changes that. It gives every county one clear set of rules: No dumping. No chaining dogs on vacant land. No roaming packs. No more confusion. It protects responsible owners and gives people the legal right to defend themselves, their animals, and their property..

Dear Sir or Madam: I am a lifelong Arkansan living on the Pulaski-Faulkner County line. For years, I and

others have reported dangerous stray, dumped, and chained dogs in our rural areas-often ignored by sheriffs,

animal control, and even judges. Now, after the tragic mauling death of 15-year-old Makayla in Saline

County, Jan Morgan is pushing her own bill, the 'Makayla Bill.' While I support action, I must speak up: her bill

does not include our reality, and once again, the rural voices most affected are being left out. I have written

the Arkansas Stray and Abandoned Animal Protection Act (ASAAPA)-a detailed, citizen-driven proposal that

gives law enforcement real tools and citizens real rights. This is not about headlines. It's about safety. It's

about survival. We deserve to be heard. We refuse to be ignored.

Sincerely,

Genitta S. Pettit

Rural Citizen Advocate

15903 Old Highway 5

Cabot, AR 72023

(501) 286-0022

Basketcasebar@yahoo.com

BILL TITLE

Arkansas Stray and Abandoned Animal Protection Act (ASAAPA)

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act shall be cited as the "Arkansas Stray and Abandoned Animal Protection Act" or ASAAPA.

SECTION 2: PURPOSE

To establish clear legal protections and response procedures regarding stray, abandoned, and chained

animals in Arkansas, with the intent to: Prevent attacks on citizens, Clarify ownership and abandonment laws,

Empower enforcement agencies, Protect rural families and property.

SECTION 3: DEFINITIONS

- Abandoned Animal: An animal left without a responsible person on a property with no legal residence,

contact, or supervision for more than 24 hours.

- Stray Animal: An unconfined or unclaimed animal not under immediate supervision or identifiable

ownership.

- Chained Animal: An animal tethered outside without human contact for extended periods (over 8

hours/day), especially in isolated, uninhabited areas.

SECTION 4: OWNERSHIP TERMINATION

An animal is presumed legally abandoned and no longer under ownership if: It is found alone on a property

without human habitation or active caretaking. The animal is tethered or roaming beyond 50 feet of the

owner's primary residence or regularly occupied structure, regardless of whether the owner can be contacted

or refuses contact. It is chained in a remote area with no active dwelling, no running water, electricity, or

shelter for a human. If the owner cannot be located or refuses contact for more than 24 hours, abandonment

is presumed.

SECTION 5: CITIZEN PROTECTION RIGHTSAny citizen who encounters an abandoned or threatening animal may: File a formal complaint with local

animal control or sheriff. Defend themselves, others, or their livestock if the animal poses a threat. Request

immediate intervention if law enforcement refuses to act.

SECTION 6: MANDATORY ENFORCEMENT

Law enforcement must respond to valid complaints of stray/abandoned animals within 72 hours. Officers or

Animal Control may seize any animal meeting the legal definition of abandoned. Failure of a sheriff's

department or animal control to respond may result in a state review.

SECTION 7: PENALTIES FOR ABANDONMENT

First offense: $250 fine and mandatory community service or animal safety training. Second offense: $1,000

fine and animal ownership ban for 1 year. Third offense: $2,500 fine and permanent animal ownership ban,

plus potential criminal charges.

SECTION 8: DOG ATTACKS CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE

If an abandoned or unsupervised dog causes injury or death: The last known "owner" may be held civilly or

criminally liable. Law enforcement agencies that ignored prior reports may also be subject to state disciplinary

review.

SECTION 9: PUBLIC RECORD & REGISTRY

Citizens may access an online report system to track: Complaints filed, Dangerous animal sightings, Areas

under investigation. A registry of habitual abandoners will be made public.

SECTION 10: NO-POLITICS CLAUSE

This Act is not to be used to further political careers or agendas. It is drafted by the people, for the people,

and must remain transparent and inclusive of public feedback and community involvement.

SECTION 11: DOG CONFINEMENT AND TETHERING REQUIREMENTS

All dogs must be confined within a securely fenced enclosure or tethered within 50 feet of the owner's primary

residence or regularly occupied structure. Dogs are prohibited from roaming or being tethered beyond this

50-foot boundary, regardless of property size or rural/urban location. Owners are responsible for ensuring

dogs do not create nuisance, threat, or danger to neighbors or the public by exceeding this confinement

distance. Failure to comply constitutes unlawful confinement or abandonment and is subject to penalties

outlined in SECTION 7. No exceptions will be made based on owner contactability or knowledge. 

Accountability for safe animal containment is absolute. Accountability for safe animal containment is absolute

 

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