Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB149 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	HB149INTRODUCED
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3	3	HB149
4	4	9N3LMBB-1
5	5	By Representatives Ensler, Lands
6	6	RFD: Agriculture and Forestry
7	7	First Read: 04-Feb-25
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12	12	5 9N3LMBB-1 01/30/2025 ZAK (L)ZAK 2024-2343
13	13	Page 1
14	14	First Read: 04-Feb-25
15	15	SYNOPSIS:
16	16	Under existing law, animals are afforded
17	17	protections regarding their care in this state.
18	18	This bill would require certain methods be used
19	19	to tether or confine a dog.
20	20	This bill would require certain care be provided
21	21	to dogs kept outside using one of these methods.
22	22	This bill would exempt certain persons and
23	23	activities from these requirements.
24	24	This bill would also provide a criminal penalty
25	25	for tethering or confining a dog in violation of this
26	26	act.
27	27	A BILL
28	28	TO BE ENTITLED
29	29	AN ACT
30	30	Relating to dogs; to provide methods for tethering and
31	31	confining dogs; to provide certain standards of care for dogs
32	32	kept outside; to exempt certain persons and activities; and to
33	33	provide criminal penalties for violations.
34	34	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
35	35	Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as
36	36	the Alabama Dog Tethering and Outdoor Shelter Act.
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64	64	28 HB149 INTRODUCED
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66	66	the Alabama Dog Tethering and Outdoor Shelter Act.
67	67	Section 2. (a) A person may not leave or keep a dog
68	68	chained or tethered to a stationary object, including a
69	69	structure, dog house, pole, or tree, or otherwise confined
70	70	unless in accordance with one of the following:
71	71	(1)a. Confined in a secure enclosure that has adequate
72	72	space for exercise depending upon the age, size, breed, and
73	73	weight of the dog.
74	74	b. The secure enclosure shall be constructed with chain
75	75	link or other sturdy material, with all four sides enclosed
76	76	and with a minimum height sufficient to confine the dog.
77	77	(2) Confined in a fully fenced, including
78	78	electronically fenced, or otherwise securely enclosed yard
79	79	where the dog has the ability to run but is unable to leave
80	80	the yard.
81	81	(3) Tethered to a trolley system that satisfies all of
82	82	the following:
83	83	a. The tether is designed for dogs.
84	84	b. The tether does not weigh more than one-eighth of
85	85	the dog's body weight.
86	86	c. The trolley system does not allow the dog to leave
87	87	the property of the owner or keeper.
88	88	d. Only one dog is tethered to each cable run.
89	89	e. The tether is attached to a properly fitting collar
90	90	or harness worn by the dog, with adequate space between the
91	91	collar and the dog's throat.
92	92	f. The tether has a swivel on both ends to minimize
93	93	tangling of the collar.
94	94	g. The tether and cable run are both at least 10 feet
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124	124	g. The tether and cable run are both at least 10 feet
125	125	in length and the cable run is secured at least four feet, but
126	126	not more than seven feet, above ground level.
127	127	h. The length of the tether from the cable run to the
128	128	dog's collar or harness allows continuous access at all times
129	129	to clean water, adequate food, and shelter as described in
130	130	subsection (d).
131	131	i. The trolley system is of an appropriate
132	132	configuration to confine the dog to the property of the owner
133	133	or keeper, prevent the cable run and tether from extending
134	134	over an object or edge that could result in injury or
135	135	strangulation of the dog, and prevent the cable run and tether
136	136	from becoming tangled with other objects or animals.
137	137	(b) Subsection (a) shall not be construed to apply to
138	138	any of the following:
139	139	(1) A licensed veterinary practice that tethers or
140	140	confines a dog in the course of its practice.
141	141	(2) A boarding kennel or public or private animal
142	142	shelter with secure enclosures for the temporary boarding or
143	143	housing of dogs.
144	144	(3) An exhibition, trial, show, contest, or other
145	145	temporary event in which skill, breeding, or stamina of a dog
146	146	is judged or examined.
147	147	(4) A dog that is used or receives training in a lawful
148	148	manner to hunt wildlife.
149	149	(5) The temporary tethering of a dog at any campsite or
150	150	recreation area.
151	151	(6) A licensed grooming shop or facility during the
152	152	grooming of a dog.
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182	182	grooming of a dog.
183	183	(7) Any emergency circumstance during which tethering a
184	184	dog is necessary, but not exceeding a period of three hours.
185	185	(c) A logging chain or other line or device not
186	186	designed or intended for tethering a dog, or a choke collar or
187	187	pinch collar, may not be used temporarily or indefinitely to
188	188	tether a dog.
189	189	(d) In addition to any other requirement, a person
190	190	leaving or keeping a dog confined outside shall provide the
191	191	dog with access to clean water, adequate food, and shelter
192	192	that complies with all of the following:
193	193	(1) Allows the dog to remain dry and protected from the
194	194	elements, including providing shade for the dog and containing
195	195	adequate bedding for cold weather when necessary.
196	196	(2) Has a roof, four walls, and a solid floor.
197	197	(3) Is constructed or manufactured of durable materials
198	198	and provides adequate ventilation.
199	199	(4) Has adequate space for the dog to stand up, turn
200	200	around, and extend its limbs.
201	201	(5) Is free from accumulated waste, standing water, and
202	202	debris.
203	203	(6) Allows the dog unlimited access.
204	204	(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to do
205	205	any of the following:
206	206	(1) Subject a dog actively engaged in conduct that is
207	207	directly related to the business of shepherding or herding
208	208	livestock or cultivating agricultural products to the outdoor
209	209	confinement limitations provided by this section.
210	210	(2) Prohibit a person from walking a dog on a handheld
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240	240	(2) Prohibit a person from walking a dog on a handheld
241	241	leash.
242	242	(3) Prohibit a person from tethering a dog near a place
243	243	of business while the person is inside or otherwise
244	244	interacting with the business, subject to the following
245	245	conditions:
246	246	a. The dog is tethered for a reasonable amount of time.
247	247	b. The dog is tethered in a reasonable location near
248	248	the place of business.
249	249	(f) A person who violates this section shall be guilty
250	250	of a Class B misdemeanor.
251	251	Section 3. This act shall become effective on October
252	252	1, 2025.
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