Alabama Senate bill in Session 2026RS.
Status: enacted. Latest action: April 13, 2026.
Dogs; tethering and confinement requirements provided; persons and activities exempted; criminal penalties for, animal control officer enforcement of, violations established.
This act: (1) prohibits tethering a dog to a stationary object unless a trolley system is used in accordance with specified criteria, including the tether is not unreasonably heavy, only one dog is connected to the tether and is attached to a properly fitted collar or harness using swivels on each end, and the tether allows access to food, water, and shelter; (2) prohibits using a logging chain or choke or pinch collar to tether a dog; (3) prohibits restricting a dog within an enclosure unless in accordance with specified criteria, including the enclosure must have space for the dog to freely move and provide access to adequate water, food, and shelter; (4) exempts certain actions and persons from these prohibitions, including veterinarians, dog contests, service dogs, and walking a dog on a leash; (5) requires dogs tethered or confined outside to have access to shelter that has bedding when cold, a solid floor, space for a dog to extend its limbs, is free from accumulated wastes, and provides adequate ventilation and protection from the elements; (6) exempts certain actions and persons from these prohibitions and requirements including dogs whose purpose is related to agriculture or hunting or individuals temporarily tethering a dog near a place of business, home, or recreation area; (7) upon having probable cause that a violation of this act exists, authorizes certified law enforcement officers to order care be provided to a dog or to remove a dog if its life is in danger; (8) provides hearing and disposition procedures for seized dogs; and (9) provides violators shall pay all costs of boarding and caring for a seized dog and are guilty of a Class C misdemeanor for first violation, a Class B misdemeanor for a second violation, and Class A misdemeanor for a third and subsequent violation.
| Date | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-10 | Introduced | Bill introduced |
| 2026-04-13 | Status | enacted |
| 2026-04-13 | Latest Action | Enacted |