SB246 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Zeb Little

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Animals, procedures for seizing when involved in charge for fighting dogs, hog and canine fighting, cruelty to animals, disposition of animal expedited, bond required under certain conditions, Secs. 3-1-29, 13A-11-14, 13A-11-244, 13A-12-6 am'd.

Summary

SB246 would speed up how Alabama handles animals seized in fighting or cruelty cases by expediting seizure, care, and disposition through owner‑funded bonds.

What This Bill Does

It would amend several statutes to create a formal process for seizing animals tied to fighting or cruelty charges, move seized animals to local humane societies, and speed up court involvement to decide their fate. It requires the animal owner to post a bond to cover food, shelter, and veterinary care during the case, with posting and care timelines that include at least 30‑day periods and potential successive 30‑day renewals. The humane society or agency may draw bond funds weekly to pay for care, and depending on the outcome (acquittal or conviction), the animal and any remaining funds are returned or custody is given to the housing facility or humane agency. The bill also tightens penalties for hog and canine fighting and clarifies seizure and destruction options for those crimes.

Who It Affects

• Animal owners charged with fighting, hog and canine fighting, or cruelty offenses: may have their animals seized, must post bond to cover ongoing care, risk forfeiture if bond is not posted, and custody of the animal depends on the case outcome.
• Law enforcement, county/municipal officers, and local humane societies or animal welfare agencies: oversee seizure, care, funding, and court proceedings related to disposition; may use private veterinarians or court‑approved facilities to house or treat seized animals.

Key Provisions

• Amends sections 3-1-29, 13A-11-14, 13A-11-244, and 13A-12-6 to create explicit seizure, care, and disposition procedures for animals involved in fighting and cruelty offenses.
• Requires owner to post bond to cover food, shelter, and veterinary care during the case, with initial posting within a short period after seizure and ongoing 30-day periods until the case is resolved; failure to post can lead to forfeiture.
• Permits humane societies or agencies to withdraw bond funds weekly to pay for the animal’s care; if the owner is acquitted, remaining funds and the animal are returned; if convicted, custody may be awarded to the housing facility or humane agency.
• Allows destruction of seized animals if a veterinarian or humane official determines the animal is injured, diseased past recovery, or suffering and destruction would relieve pain; otherwise, the animal may be housed with a private veterinarian or facility under supervision.
• Adds hearing requirements and timelines for cases involving seized animals, including swift probable-cause hearings and court orders to post bond or deposit funds, with specified durations for care.
• Strengthens penalties for hog and canine fighting, including first-offense penalties and enhanced penalties for subsequent offenses, and clarifies seizure and care procedures for those crimes.
• Effective date set as the first day of the third month following 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