Clark County Humane Society no longer taking pit bulls

From the Humane Society of Clark County. Photo by Shutterstock Images.

Effective immediately Pit-Bull dogs and pit mixed dogs will not be accepted, under any circumstances, at the Humane Society of Clark County shelter in Arkadelphia.

The new policy was adopted, unanimously, by the Board of Directors on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, and includes adult dogs, puppies, owner-surrenders, and stray surrenders.

This decision was not made lightly and came after thorough consideration of the issue including:

• The community impact

• The well-being of the dogs currently in the shelter

• The safety of the public and the staff

• The constant overcrowding crisis and adoption challenges presented by the breed.

• The unexpected delay in acquiring land for a new shelter.

Other issues noted by the shelter leadership:

• The lack of mandatory spay and neuter laws in Clark County or any of the towns in the county.

• The lack of spay and neuter services that are affordable for Senior and low-income pet owners.

• Irresponsible pet owners who do not get their pets altered and allow them to roam the community.

• Pet owners who are uneducated about the long-term effect on the community when pets are not altered at an early age.

It is the hope of the HSCC leadership that this policy will, at least, be part of new community awareness of the lack of effective, enforced laws regarding pet ownership, the effects of constant overcrowding at the shelter and the overwhelming numbers of abandoned or unwanted dogs in Clark County.

For more information, email humanesocietyclarkcounty@yahoo.com or leave a message at 870-245-2579 for a callback.