2019 Arkansas Code
Title 5 - Criminal Offenses
Subtitle 6 - Offenses Against Public Health, Safety, or Welfare
Chapter 62 - Animals
Subchapter 1 - General Provisions
§ 5-62-124. Unlawful Bear Exploitation

Universal Citation: AR Code § 5-62-124 (2019)
  • (a) A person commits the offense of unlawful bear exploitation if he or she knowingly:

    • (1) Promotes, engages in, or is employed at a bear wrestling match;

    • (2) Receives money for the admission of another person to a place kept for bear wrestling;

    • (3) Sells, purchases, possesses, or trains a bear for bear wrestling; or

    • (4) For purposes of exploitation, subjects a bear to surgical alteration in any form, including, but not limited to, declawing, tooth removal, and severing tendons.

  • (b) Unlawful bear exploitation is a Class D felony.

  • (c) Upon the arrest of any person for violating a provision of this section, the arresting law enforcement officer or animal control officer may seize and take custody of any bear in the possession of the arrested person.

  • (d)

    • (1) Upon the conviction of any person for violating a provision of this section, any court of competent jurisdiction may order the forfeiture by the convicted person of any bear the use of which was the basis of the conviction.

    • (2) Any bear ordered forfeited under a provision of this section shall be placed in the custody of a society which is incorporated for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

  • (e) In addition to the fines, penalties, and forfeitures imposed under a provision of this section, the court may require the defendant to make restitution to the state, any of its political subdivisions, or a society which is incorporated for the prevention of cruelty to animals for housing, feeding, or providing medical treatment to a bear used for unlawful wrestling.

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