HB651 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Randy HinshawMac McCutcheonMike BallHoward SanderfordPhil Williams

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Madison Co., dogs, dangerous dogs, areas outside corporate limits of any municipality, procedure for determining and humanely destroying or returning to owner, dog required to be kept in secure enclosure, penalties, const. amend.

Summary

HB651 would amend Alabama's constitution for Madison County areas outside municipalities to create a process for declaring dangerous dogs, potentially destroying or returning them to owners under strict registration and secure-enclosure rules, with penalties and county immunity.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a constitutional framework to identify and manage dangerous dogs outside municipal borders in Madison County, including a court process to determine if a dog is dangerous and whether it should be euthanized or returned to the owner with conditions. It requires owners of dangerous dogs to register the dog, provide proof of rabies vaccination, a current photo, a secure enclosure, neutering, microchip identification, insurance or bond, and permission from the property owner if kept on someone else’s property, along with a notarized control affidavit. It empowers animal control and law enforcement to investigate, impound, and enforce the rules, imposes penalties for violations, and grants immunity to county employees for acts related to the amendment.

Who It Affects

• Dog owners in Madison County outside municipal limits: must comply with dangerous-dog registration, enclosure, vaccination, identification, insurance/bond, and other requirements; risk of euthanization if they fail to comply or if the dog is declared dangerous and cannot be properly contained.
• Animal control officers, law enforcement, and the county government: given authority to investigate incidents, impound dangerous dogs, enforce the new rules, and are granted immunity from certain liabilities for actions taken under the amendment.

Key Provisions

• Creates a procedure to declare a dog dangerous and decide whether the dog should be humanely euthanized or returned to the owner if specific conditions are met and the dog is kept in a proper enclosure.
• Defines dangerous dog and related terms, and requires a proper enclosure to meet criteria such as secure locking, solid and securely fenced sides, being sunk or on a concrete pad, ventilation, posted warning, and size requirements.
• Requires dangerous-dog owners to register the dog within 30 days of a court declaration, with rabies vaccination, a current photo, proof of a proper enclosure, neutering/spaying status, microchip identification, veterinarian contact information, insurance or bond of at least $100,000, and, if needed, owner-provided permission from the property owner where the dog is kept, plus a notarized affidavit of control.
• Imposes penalties for violations: a Class C felony if a previously declared dangerous dog harms or kills a person, and a Class A misdemeanor if a non-declared dangerous dog harms a person with prior knowledge of the dog’s propensity, plus required repayment of various costs related to impoundment, veterinary care, victim medical costs, and destruction.
• Allows removal of the dangerous-dog designation after 18 months if the owner has complied and the court is satisfied the dog is no longer dangerous; the court can remove related requirements.
• Requires notification to new dog owners if the dog is sold or given away, and restricts relocation during investigations; authorizes court hearings and costs allocation, including potential attorney and expert fees to the dog’s owner.
• Establishes immunity for Madison County, its employees, and the certificate/registration issuers from liability related to actions taken under the amendment, with liability only applying in cases of negligence or wrongdoing under other laws.
• Announces that the Madison County Commission will set the effective date and the fee amount for dangerous-dog registration, which is in addition to regular dog licensing.

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

Subjects

Madison County