AlabamaAlabama law sets rules for tethering and housing dogs outdoors
Starting October 1, 2026, Alabama law requires safe tethers and outdoor enclosures, with food, water, and shelter for dogs, subject to listed exceptions.
What it does
People tethering dogs to fixed objects must use a safe trolley system that keeps each dog on the property and lets it reach food, water, and shelter. Several activities and temporary situations are exempt.
Outdoor enclosures must keep dogs on the property and give them room to move, food and water, and suitable shelter. The law exempts certain work dogs and some temporary situations.
People who violate the law must pay boarding and veterinary costs, and repeat violations bring more serious misdemeanor charges. Officers may remove a dog in danger or order its owner to provide care, with hearing procedures applying.
Argument forDogs kept outside could have safer tethers and shelter, with steady access to food and water and protection from bad weather.
Argument againstOwners could face dog removal when an officer believes its life is in danger, care costs, and higher misdemeanor penalties for repeat violations.
More detail
People who tether a dog to a fixed object must use a trolley system that meets the law’s safety rules. These rules cover people tethering dogs to stationary objects, such as trees, poles, or buildings, except for the listed activities and circumstances. A tether must be light enough for the dog, keep the dog on the owner’s property, connect to one dog, and attach to a properly fitted collar or harness. It must have swivels at both ends, allow constant access to food, water, and shelter, and avoid hazards that could tangle, injure, or strangle the dog. Logging chains, choke collars, and pinch collars are barred. Exceptions include veterinary care, boarding, shelters, certain temporary events or circumstances, service dogs, lawful training, grooming, and walking a dog on a leash. Other exceptions are listed below. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
People who keep a dog in an outdoor enclosure must provide enough room, food, water, and suitable shelter. These rules cover people who leave or keep dogs tethered or confined outside, except for the law’s listed exemptions. The enclosure must be secure and fully fenced, give the dog room to move freely, and keep it on the property. The dog must have constant access to adequate food, water, and shelter. Shelter must keep the dog dry and protected from weather, provide shade and bedding when needed, have a solid floor and room for the dog to stand, turn, lie down, and stretch, and be ventilated and free of accumulated waste, standing water, and debris. The dog must have unlimited access to it. The law also exempts certain work and training dogs, reasonable-time tethering or confinement near a business, and temporary stays at campsites, recreation areas, or homes, subject to weather-related limits. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
A person who violates the law must pay the dog’s boarding and veterinary costs and is guilty of a misdemeanor. The care-cost and misdemeanor penalties apply to a person who violates the law. A county or city may appoint animal control officers to investigate alleged violations; they need not be certified law enforcement officers. With probable cause, a certified law enforcement officer may remove a dog if the officer believes its life is in danger, or order the owner to provide care at the owner’s expense. State hearing procedures apply to removal and care orders. The first violation is a Class C misdemeanor, the second a Class B misdemeanor, and the third and later violations Class A misdemeanors. The law does not limit enforcement of other animal cruelty or neglect laws. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 9Ready to Enroll
- Apr 9EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 9Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 9Signature Requested
- Apr 8Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Ensler motion to Table - Adopted Roll Call 1276. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Ensler motion to Table - Lost Roll Call 1277. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1267. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Gudger motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1267. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1270. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Ensler motion to Table - Lost Roll Call 1269. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1273. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1275. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1279. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1268. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Ensler motion to Table - Adopted Roll Call 1271. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Ensler motion to Table - Lost Roll Call 1274. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Ellis motion to Table - Adopted Roll Call 1278. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1272. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1280. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8Agriculture and Forestry Engrossed Substitute Offered (Agriculture and Forestry)Minor
- Apr 8Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1267Major
- Apr 8Lovvorn 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1268Major
- Apr 8Brinyark 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Ensler motion to Table - Lost Roll Call 1269
- Apr 8Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1270Major
- Apr 8Rigsby 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Hammett 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Ensler motion to Table - Adopted Roll Call 1271Major
- Apr 8Rigsby 2nd Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1272Major
- Apr 8Lovvorn 2nd Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1273Major
- Apr 8Rehm 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Ensler motion to Table - Lost Roll Call 1274
- Apr 8Colvin 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1275Major
- Apr 8Smith 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Ensler motion to Table - Adopted Roll Call 1276Major
- Apr 8Fidler 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Ensler motion to Table - Lost Roll Call 1277
- Apr 8Ellis motion to Table - Adopted Roll Call 1278Major
- Apr 8Faulkner 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 8Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1279Major
- Apr 8Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1280Passed House
- Apr 8Gudger motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1267Major
- Mar 19Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Agriculture and Forestry)Minor
- Mar 18Reported Out of Committee Second House (Agriculture and Forestry)
- Mar 12Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 857. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 857Passed Senate
- Mar 12Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and ForestryMinor
- Mar 12Pending Committee Action in Second House (Agriculture and Forestry)
- Mar 11Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Mar 11Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (State Governmental Affairs)Minor
- Mar 10Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on State Governmental AffairsMinor
- Mar 10Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (State Governmental Affairs)Introduced
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