Alabama HB 446: Dogs; required methods of confinement provided; persons and activities exempted; criminal penalty for, animal control officer enforcement of violations established

Bill Text

2JQHVKI-1 03/11/2026 ZAK (L) ZAK 2025-2727 SUB HB446
AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY SUBSTITUTE TO HB446
OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE MCCAMPBELL
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SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, animals are afforded
protections regarding their care in this state.
This bill would require certain methods be used
when tethering or confining a dog.
This bill would require certain minimum care be
provided to dogs kept outside using one of these
methods.
This bill would exempt certain persons and
activities from these requirements.
This bill would provide a criminal penalty for
tethering or confining a dog in violation of this act.
This bill would also authorize county and
municipal animal control officers to inspect and
enforce violations of this act.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to dogs; to provide methods for tethering and
confining dogs; to provide certain standards of care for dogs
kept outside; to exempt certain persons and activities; to
provide criminal penalties for violations; and to authorize
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provide criminal penalties for violations; and to authorize
agents of political subdivisions to inspect violations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. For purposes of this act, the following
terms have the following meanings:
(1) ADEQUATE FOOD. Food that is offered in suitable
intervals and in sufficient amounts to prevent starvation or
significant risk to a dog's health from lack of food.
(2) ADEQUATE WATER. Potable water that is offered in
suitable intervals and in sufficient amounts to prevent
dehydration or significant risk to a dog's health from lack of
water.
(3) PROPERLY FITTED. When naturally worn by a dog, a
collar or harness that:
a. Is appropriately sized for the dog based on the
dog's measurements and body weight; and
b. Does not choke the dog or impede the dog's normal
breathing or swallowing.
(4) TETHER. A chain, leash, cable, rope, trolley
system, or other similar device used to tie or otherwise
connect a dog to a stationary object, including a structure,
doghouse, pole, or tree.
Section 2. (a)(1) A person may not tether a dog to a
stationary object, including a tree, pole, stake, or
structure, unless the dog is tethered via a trolley system in
accordance with all of the following:
a. The tether is not unreasonably heavy in relation to
the weight of the dog.
b. The tether does not allow the dog to leave the
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b. The tether does not allow the dog to leave the
property of the owner or person responsible for the dog.
c. The tether is connected to only one dog.
d. The tether is attached to a properly fitted collar
or harness worn by the dog.
e. The tether has a swivel on both ends to minimize
tangling.
f. The tether allows the dog continuous access at all
times to adequate food, adequate water, and shelter as
described in Section 3.
g. The tether does not extend over an object or edge
that could result in injury or strangulation of the dog.
h. The tether is situated in a manner to prevent
entanglement with other objects or animals.
(2) A logging chain, choke collar, or pinch collar may
not be used to tether a dog.
(b) A person may not restrain or restrict a dog's
movement by confining the dog within an enclosure unless in
accordance with all of the following:
(1) The enclosure is secure, fully fenced, and has
adequate space for the dog to run.
(2) The enclosure is constructed with a sturdy
material, including chain link and electronic fencing, with
all four sides enclosed, and with a minimum height sufficient
to confine the dog if not an electronic fence.
(3) The dog has continuous access at all times to
adequate food, adequate water, and shelter as described in
Section 3.
(4) The enclosure does not allow the dog to leave the
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(4) The enclosure does not allow the dog to leave the
property of the owner or person responsible for the dog.
(c) Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to any of the
following:
(1) A licensed veterinary practice that tethers or
confines a dog in the course of its practice.
(2) A boarding kennel or public or private animal
shelter with secure enclosures for the temporary boarding or
housing of dogs.
(3) An exhibition, trial, show, contest, or other
temporary event in which skill, breeding, or stamina of a dog
is judged or examined.
(4) A dog that is used for obedience purposes or
receives training in a lawful manner to hunt or retrieve
wildlife.
(5) A service or assistance dog.
(6) A licensed grooming shop or facility during the
grooming of a dog.
(7) Any emergency circumstance during which tethering
or confining a dog is necessary but not exceeding a reasonab