The city of Little Rock has temporarily halted adoptions of certain dog breeds, citing concerns over public safety. The decision, which specifically affects “potentially dangerous breeds” like pit bulls, follows a Pulaski County jury ruling that found the city liable for damages in a case where a pit bull adopted from the shelter injured another dog.
City officials have announced plans to appeal the jury’s decision and are reviewing adoption policies related to certain breeds. However, this move has sparked criticism, particularly from local volunteers. Lauren Hughes, a volunteer at the Little Rock Animal Village, expressed her disapproval, emphasizing that many of the pit bulls at the shelter have been well-behaved.
Hughes, who has walked hundreds of dogs at the shelter, including numerous pit bulls, argued that the decision was unfair to the dogs. “I don’t think that we should be making rules simply based on what a dog looks like,” she said. Hughes believes that the ban on certain breeds doesn’t necessarily improve public safety and may result in a significant number of dogs losing their chance at adoption.
The Little Rock Animal Village, where roughly half of the dogs are pit bulls or pit bull mixes, has long been a refuge for these animals. Hughes warned that the continued suspension could lead to thousands of dogs being euthanized if the ban stays in place. Instead of a blanket ban, she advocates for policies developed in collaboration with those who work directly with the dogs, using their understanding of dog behavior to inform decisions.
The city’s definition of “potentially dangerous breeds” includes pit bulls and related mixes such as American Staffordshire terriers and Staffordshire terriers, with specific regulations already in place for pit bull owners in Little Rock. The debate over breed-specific policies remains contentious, with volunteers like Hughes pushing for more nuanced approaches.