HB115 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chad Fincher

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Jamie Ison

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Animals, fighting dogs, procedures for seizing, disposition process expedited, bond required under certain conditions, forfeiture of dog under certain conditions, Sec. 3-1-29 am'd.

Summary

HB115 strengthens Alabama's dog-fighting laws and sets up bond-based, expedited rules for seizing and disposing of fighting dogs, including possible forfeiture.

What This Bill Does

The bill makes owning, possessing, training for fighting, or causing dogs to fight a Class C felony, and it makes attending or aiding in fighting illegal. It authorizes confiscation of dogs used in fighting and directs humane societies to handle or dispose of them. It also lets courts require the dog’s owner to post a bond or deposit funds to cover seizure and care costs, with provisions for indigence, surrender, and possible forfeiture if the bond isn’t posted; it outlines how costs are covered and how funds are refunded after the case ends, and it allows civil forfeiture actions for seized dogs.

Who It Affects

• Dog owners, possessors, trainers, and spectators: face felony charges, risk confiscation of dogs, may have to post bonds to cover seizure and care costs, and could lose ownership of the dogs through forfeiture.
• Humane societies and animal welfare agencies: receive seized dogs and handle their disposition, including potential destruction or housing under supervision and managing bond funds to cover costs.
• Courts and law enforcement: administer hearings on confiscations, bond requirements, and any civil forfeiture actions, and determine disposition of dogs.

Key Provisions

• Defines dog fighting-related acts as Class C felonies for owners/trainers and for spectators who attend or aid in fighting events or preparations.
• Confiscates fighting dogs as contraband and directs humane societies or animal welfare agencies to handle disposal, with possible humane destruction if appropriate.
• Allows courts to require the owner to post a bond or deposit funds to cover seizure, care, keeping, and disposal costs, with 30-day increments; bond must be posted after a hearing, and failure to post can lead to automatic forfeiture unless the owner is indigent or chooses to surrender the dog.
• Specifies how costs are covered by bond funds, who may adjust bonds, and that funds are refundable after case resolution; also provides for a civil forfeiture petition and a separate timeline for hearings and potential forfeiture if the state meets its burden.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals