HB480 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jamie Ison

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Animals, procedures for seizing when involved in charge for fighting dogs, hog and canine fighting, cruelty to dogs and cats, disposition of animal expedited, bond required under certain conditions, Secs. 3-1-29, 13A-11-244, 13A-12-6 am'd.

Summary

The bill would speed up how authorities seize and dispose of animals involved in fighting or cruelty cases and require owners to post bonds to cover the animals' care during legal proceedings.

What This Bill Does

It adds procedures to seize animals tied to dog, hog, and canine fighting or cruelty charges and to expedite their disposition. Seized animals can be confiscated as contraband and sent to a humane society, which may dispose of them; the owner can be charged for care costs. Owners must post bond or deposits to cover food, shelter, and veterinary care during the case, with court hearings to determine probable cause; bonds stay for at least 30 days and can continue in 30-day periods until the case ends. If the owner is acquitted, they get the animal back and any unspent funds; if convicted, custody of the animal may be awarded to the housing facility or humane agency.

Who It Affects

• Owners of dogs, hogs, or canines involved in fighting or cruelty charges, who may be required to post bonds, pay for care, face possible forfeiture, and lose custody of seized animals.
• Law enforcement officers and county/municipal agents who seize the animals and pursue court proceedings.
• Local humane societies and other animal welfare agencies that receive seized animals, provide care, and potentially dispose of or destroy animals.
• The seized animals themselves (dogs, cats, hogs/canines), who face potential custody transfers, care during captivity, or destruction in certain cases.

Key Provisions

• Creates expedited seizure and disposition procedures for animals involved in fighting or cruelty charges, with confiscation and possible humane disposal by the humane society.
• Requires the owner to post bond or deposit funds within 10 days of seizure to cover food, shelter, and veterinary care, and to hold a probable-cause hearing within 10 days; bonds are for at least 30 days and can extend in 30-day increments until the case is resolved.
• If probable cause is shown, bond procedures require ongoing funding for care; failure to post bond can lead to forfeiture by operation of law, and the humane society can draw on the bond funds weekly to cover costs.
• Acquittal returns remaining funds and custody of the animal to the owner; conviction may transfer custody of the animal to the housing facility or humane agency.
• Defines and governs similar bond and seizure procedures for canine and hog fighting under 13A-11-244 and 13A-12-6, including the possibility of destruction if the animal is injured or past recovery, and charges for care costs.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals