HB439 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Mac McCutcheonHoward SanderfordPhil WilliamsJim PattersonWayne Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Madison Co., dogs, dangerous dogs in unincorporated areas of county, county commission by resolution may establish procedure for determining, dog required to be kept in fenced enclosure, civil penalties, const. amend.

Summary

HB439 would amend the Alabama Constitution to empower Madison County, in its unincorporated areas, to declare dangerous dogs, require secure enclosures and owner registration, and impose penalties while granting immunity to county officers.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the amendment allows Madison County to determine if a dog is dangerous and, depending on the findings, either euthanize the dog or return it to the owner if the owner meets registration and enclosure requirements. Owners of dangerous dogs would need to register the dog, meet strict enclosure, vaccination, identification, and insurance requirements, and potentially pay an annual fee. There are defined penalties for dangerous-dog offenses and protections for county officials and employees who enforce the rules.

Who It Affects

• Dog owners in Madison County outside municipalities: must register dangerous dogs, provide proper enclosures, obtain vaccinations, microchips, neutering, insurance, and other conditions to keep a dog deemed dangerous; could face euthanasia or penalties for noncompliance.
• Animal control officers and county officials: responsible for investigating incidents, enforcing the rules, and are granted immunity from liability for actions taken under the amendment.

Key Provisions

• Applies only to areas of Madison County outside the corporate limits of any municipality.
• Defines dangerous dog and proper enclosure; allows return of a dangerous dog to its owner if the dog is registered and kept in a secure enclosure, rather than euthanized, under certain conditions.
• If a dangerous dog has caused serious physical injury or death, the court must order humane euthanization; if it has not caused serious injury, the court may impose ordered requirements.
• Requires within 30 days of a court declaration, the owner to register the dog with Madison County Animal Control, including: rabies vaccination, current photo, secure enclosure, neuter/spay, permanent identification (microchip or tattoo), proof of insurance or bond, and notarized affidavit about control when not in a proper enclosure.
• Owner liability for costs of impoundment, veterinary care, and treatment if the dog is involved in incidents; owner may be subject to theft or relocation restrictions during investigations; false reports are a misdemeanor.
• Annual dangerous-dog registration fee set by the Madison County Commission, in addition to regular dog licensing.
• New dog owner must be informed in writing if the dog is declared dangerous, including the new owner’s contact information for compliance.
• Punishments include Class C felony for prior dangerous-dog owners whose dog, unprovoked, causes serious injury or kills a person; Class A misdemeanor for reckless disregard causing serious injury by an undeclared dangerous dog; additional misdemeanors for failing to contain a dangerous dog; and related expenses.
• Immunity from liability for Madison County, its district attorney or county attorney, and their employees or agents, for actions taken under this amendment.

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

Subjects

Madison County