HB27 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe Faust

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Animals, cruelty, crime of aggravated cruelty to animals established, enhanced penalties, Sec. 13A-11-14 am'd

Summary

The bill tightens Alabama's animal cruelty laws by creating aggravated cruelty, expanding offenses to include knowingly or negligently caused harm, and raising penalties with specific exemptions for certain animal-activities.

What This Bill Does

It expands cruelty to animals to cover acts done knowingly or with criminal negligence and makes the offense a higher-level misdemeanor. It creates a new crime, aggravated cruelty to animals, when the cruelty involves torture, and classifies it as a Class C felony. It defines torture and lists exemptions for common agricultural, hunting, rodeo, veterinary, research, and education activities; and it clarifies that some standard practices are not considered torture. It states the act would require local funds, but is exempt from Amendment 621 restrictions due to specific exceptions, and it becomes effective three months after passage.

Who It Affects

• People who own, care for, or interact with animals would face stricter penalties for cruelty, including potential higher fines and jail time, and could be charged with aggravated cruelty if torture is involved.
• Farmers, ranchers, rodeo participants, veterinarians, researchers, hunters, and other workers who perform routine animal-related activities would be affected by the exemptions that exclude certain practices from the aggravated cruelty definition.

Key Provisions

• Amends 13A-11-14 to include acts done knowingly or with criminal negligence in cruelty to animals and to raise penalties.
• Establishes aggravated cruelty to animals as a new offense when the act involves torture, punishable as a Class C felony.
• Defines torture and specifies exceptions, including agricultural/husbandry practices, hunting/fishing, rodeos and similar activities, veterinary euthanasia, and approved research/education activities.
• Specifies the penalty structure for cruelty to animals (first, second, and third/subsequent convictions) with fines up to $3,000 and potential jail time.
• Notes that the bill is exempt from local expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 due to being a new crime or amended crime, with specified exceptions.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after the bill's passage and the Governor's approval.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses