Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Livestock Protection topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate committee backs bill to impose treble damages for repeat dog attacks on livestock
Summary
Senate Bill 342 would let livestock owners recover treble damages when they show a dog repeatedly killed or harassed livestock; sponsors argued the remedy deters repeat offenders while opponents suggested attorney‑fee recovery or clearer venue language.
Senator Alan Clark presented Senate Bill 342 to the Judiciary Committee, saying the bill responds to repeated incidents in rural areas where dogs kill livestock and owners have limited local remedies. The bill allows owners who can prove a dog is responsible to recover three times the animal’s value in civil court, a remedy the sponsor described as both punitive and compensatory.
Senators debated aspects of the measure. Senator Tucker asked whether awarding attorney’s fees would better reflect the actual cost of litigating claims than a flat treble damages multiplier; Senator Clark said most cases will be resolved in small‑claims court and not involve attorneys, and that treble damages compensate owners for repeated losses and the trouble of pursuing a remedy. Members also flagged statutory language about venue and jurisdiction; Tucker suggested replacing jurisdiction language with venue code cites to match Arkansas code conventions. The sponsor agreed to work with members to refine drafting before floor action.
Supporters gave real‑world examples of multi‑animal losses and argued that treble damages were necessary to provide a meaningful remedy for rural livestock owners who otherwise bear the cost. The committee voted to advance the bill as amended.
