{"id":371338,"date":"2024-11-08T15:09:48","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T20:09:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-leash-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-11-08T15:26:32","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T20:26:32","slug":"alabama-leash-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-leash-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Alabama Leash Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alabama Leash Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

In Alabama, most laws regarding animal restraints come from city, county, or town ordinances. State law generally requires pet owners to leash or otherwise restrain their pets in public places, like parks and public sidewalks. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In Alabama, cities and counties are generally in charge of animal control. Because of this, most leash laws originate at the city and county levels. There are relatively few state laws regarding leashing animals.<\/p>\r\n

For example, the city of Birmingham, Alabama, has an ordinance that makes it unlawful for any dog or cat owner to allow their pet "to be or to run at large<\/a>." In other words, an owner must generally leash their pet if it is off their private property. A conviction for a first-time offense is $100. Subsequent convictions carry higher fines and potential imprisonment.<\/p>\r\n

Birmingham also allows animal control officers to impound dogs or cats<\/a> in an animal control center. They must confine the animals for at least three days, but they can "dispose" of such dogs and cats afterward if their owners do not claim them.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides an overview of Alabama’s state leash laws. It also provides a brief look at several city ordinances throughout the state of Alabama. For more general information, visit FindLaw’s article on Dog Laws<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Alabama Leash and Restraint of Dogs: State Law Overview<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The table below contains Alabama’s state laws regarding leashed animals. Below the chart, you’ll find several links to city ordinances and related resources. Note that different rules may apply to service animals, companion animals, and emotional support animals<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Code Section<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Code of Alabama Title 3, Chapter 1 – General Provisions<\/b><\/p>\r\n

Dog owner responsibilities<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Dog owners (and those in charge of dogs) must confine their dog(s) to the limits of the property where they regularly keep the dog(s). However, the dog’s owner or someone in charge of the dog may bring them outside of such property. (\u00a7 3-1-5(a))<\/p>\r\n

The requirements of \u00a7 3-1-5(a) do not apply to dogs in a city, county, or town that requires a dog to have license tags. (\u00a7 3-1-5(b))<\/p>\r\n

A property owner or person in charge of a dog who violates this section commits a misdemeanor. A conviction carries a fine between $2 and $50.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Owner liability<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

If a dog kills or injures livestock while it is off the owner’s premises, the owner or person in charge of the dog is liable for damages sustained by the dog’s actions. (\u00a7 3-1-6)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Guide dogs<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

A public accommodation, amusement, or recreational establishment cannot refuse to permit a guide dog entry so it can accompany and lead a blind person. The dog must wear a harness, and the blind person must present credentials for the guide dog that issued by an accredited school for training guide dogs.<\/p>\r\n

An owner, employee, etc., of public property that violates this law commits a misdemeanor. The court may issue a fine of up to $50 if convicted. (\u00a7 3-1-7)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Selected City Ordinances: Leash Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

As noted above, cities, counties, and towns generally set their own animal control laws. The following provides a brief look at several cities’ leash laws. For more information, visit the links below. To find your applicable law regarding the restraint of dogs, search for your city, county, or town’s name and city ordinances.<\/p>\r\n

Auburn<\/b><\/p>\r\n

Dog owners in Auburn<\/a> must always keep their dogs under restraint. It’s unlawful for the owner of any dog to allow their dog off-leash in public.<\/p>\r\n

Huntsville:<\/b><\/p>\r\n

Every Huntsville dog owner<\/a> must keep the animal under effective restraint while the dog is within the city. The ordinance applies whether the dog is on or away from the owner’s property.<\/p>\r\n

Mobile:<\/b><\/p>\r\n

All animal owners in Mobile<\/a> must keep their animals on a leash or other effective restraint, regardless of whether or not such animals are on or off the owner’s property.<\/p>\r\n

Montgomery:<\/b><\/p>\r\n

It’s unlawful for a dog owner in Montgomery<\/a> to allow or permit their dog to run at large within the city.<\/p>\r\n

Tuscaloosa:<\/b><\/p>\r\n

It’s unlawful for a Tuscaloosa dog owner<\/a> to allow or permit their unrestrained dog on public property. They must use a leash, rope, or chain that is 10 feet long or less and sufficient strength to control the dog’s actions. It’s not a defense that the owner did not know their dog was at large.<\/p>\r\n

Related Resources<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

For more information about Alabama law and the general rules regarding the restraint of dogs and other animals, visit the following links:<\/p>\r\n