NAFA's RAID unit was called to an incident last night which involved two neighborhood dogs fighting and subsequently one being shot. When NAFA’s RAID investigator arrived, one individual had shot his neighbor’s male Labrador retriever after a vicious battle with a one of his wolf hybrid females. There was no positive result for either neighbor – one lab is dead and the wolf hybrid died this morning as a result of serious lacerations to the neck. The center of the dog fight was the female wolf-hybrid being in heat and the male lab being unaltered. The neighbor who is proudly breeding wolf hybrid puppies for sale was quickly educated as to state law and wolves or wolf hybrids. Because there are many individuals in Northeast Arkansas who claim to be owners of wolf hybrids, NAFA thought this was a good time to provide some information on Arkansas State Law and owning a wolf or wolf-hybrid.
Wolves and Wolf hybrids in Arkansas Law
For the purpose of Arkansas State Law, "wolf-dog hybrid" is defined as any animal which is publicly acknowledged by its owner as being a wolf or a wolf hybrid. No animal may be judged to be a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid based strictly on its appearance.
(a) Wolves and wolf-dog hybrids are required to be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian against rabies with a vaccine approved for dog use, and a rabies certificate may be issued.
(b) Veterinarians must inform the owner of the wolf or wolf-dog hybrid, preferably in writing, that the vaccination is considered "off label" and that protection against rabies is not guaranteed.
Confinement - Care - Inspections.
(a) Wolves and wolf-dog hybrids shall be provided adequate confinement and adequate feeding.
(b) Adequate confinement shall include at least:
(1) A brick, concrete, or chain link enclosure surrounded by two (2) layers of fencing as follows:
(A) For a single animal:
(i) Either an inner chain link fence a minimum of fifteen feet by eight feet by ten feet (15' x 8' x 10') or an electric fence that prevents climbing over, and either extending two feet (2') underground or employing some other means that prevents digging under; and
(ii) An outer fence eight feet (8') high with at least four feet (4') between the two (2) fences unless the inner fence is an electric fence posted with warning signs and the gate is locked at all times;
(B) For a pair, double the cage length for a single animal; or
(C) For more than two (2) animals, add ten feet (10') to the single animal length and width for each additional animal;
(2) A secluded den four feet (4') square for each animal; and
(3) No more than four (4) total of wolves or wolf-dog hybrids, or both, per acre.
(c) Adequate confinement shall not include tethering of a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid not under the direct supervision and control of the owner or custodian.
(d) (1) Adequate feeding shall include daily feedings and provisions of water.
(2) The feed used shall consist of a minimum meat-based protein content of twenty-five percent (25%) and crude fat of fifteen percent (15%), with exceptions for geriatric and overweight animals or under the advice of a licensed veterinarian.
(e) Owners and custodians of wolves and wolf-dog hybrids shall allow inspections by law enforcement personnel at reasonable hours to ensure adequate confinement and adequate feeding.
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