AR: Arkansas
Summary: One of the strongest states: Rino's Law (2023) pays up to $2,500 a year in food and vet care for retired State Police K9s adopted by their handlers. Gabo's Law lets EMS treat and transport injured police dogs, and harming a police animal is a Class D felony.
Body armor
None found. No vest mandate or fund found. Gabo's Law is named for a K9 whose vest stopped a fatal round (K9 MEDIC state law map (verified Sep 18, 2026)).
Medical & insurance
Ark. Code § 20-13-217, Gabo's Law. EMS may transport an injured police dog and, during transport, give listed care (airway, oxygen, bleeding control, splints, naloxone under a vet protocol). Responders are immune and aren't liable for the vet bill. K9 MEDIC state law map (verified Sep 18, 2026).
Retirement & service limits
Rino's Law (below) covers State Police dogs retired and adopted by their handlers. No general retirement age or service limit statute found.
Post retirement care
HB 1319 (2023 Regular Session), Rino's Law, Act 113 of 2023. Sponsors Rep. Mark Berry and Sen. Blake Johnson. Passed the Senate 30-0 on Feb 15, 2023. Gives up to $2,500 a year for food, flea and tick prevention, and vet care for eligible retired Arkansas State Police canines adopted by their handlers. Covers State Police only, not local agencies. arkleg HB1319; Arkansas Times
Penalties for harming police animals
Ark. Code § 5-54-126. Purposely killing or injuring an animal owned or used by law enforcement, or a search and rescue dog, is a Class D felony. Interfering with or obstructing one is a Class A misdemeanor. Restitution covers vet bills and replacement. Justia
Pending or failed bills
- HB 1319 (2023): enacted (Act 113).
Sources
- https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?ddBienniumSession=2023%2F2023R&id=HB1319
- https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-5/subtitle-5/chapter-54/subchapter-1/section-5-54-126/
- https://www.k9medic.com/k9-laws/
- Cross state reference: K9 MEDIC state law map (verified Sep 18, 2026)
- Federal backdrop (not state law): 18 U.S.C. § 1368 makes it a crime to harm a federal police animal, up to 10 years if the animal is seriously hurt or killed (Animal Legal & Historical Center).
Listing a bill or sponsor here does not mean they support the ARC Act.