HB518 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack W. WilliamsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Hunting dogs, killing of making Class C felony, provide penalties, forfeiture of hunting privileges

Summary

HB518 makes killing a hunting dog a Class C felony and sets escalating penalties, restitution to the owner, and forfeiture of gear used in the crime.

What This Bill Does

It creates a new crime for intentionally killing hunting dogs (dogs used to find, retrieve, or kill game) and classifies the first, second, and third offenses as Class C felonies with increasing penalties. For a first offense, the offender pays at least $1,500 and loses hunting privileges for two years; for a second offense, at least $3,000 with two years of suspension; and for a third offense, at least $10,000 with permanent revocation of hunting privileges. The court must order restitution to the dog owner, and failing to pay restitution can lead to revocation or denial of hunting or fishing licenses, tags, or permits. The violator must also forfeit hunting gear and firearms used in the crime to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The bill notes an exemption from local-fund spending rules under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime, so it can become law without local government approval.

Who It Affects

• Violators who kill hunting dogs would face Class C felony charges with escalating fines, suspensions or revocation of hunting privileges, restitution to the dog owner, and forfeiture of gear used.
• Hunting dog owners and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources would receive restitution payments and confiscated gear/firearms; enforcement actions could affect the violator’s hunting-related licenses, tags, or permits if restitution is not paid.

Key Provisions

• Defines killing a hunting dog (any pure or mixed breed dog developed to assist hunters) as a crime.
• First offense: Class C felony, at least $1,500 fine, 2-year suspension of hunting privileges.
• Second offense: Class C felony, at least $3,000 fine, 2-year suspension of hunting privileges.
• Third offense: Class C felony, at least $10,000 fine, permanent revocation of hunting privileges.
• Restitution required to the dog owner; failure to pay restitution can lead to revocation/denial of hunting or fishing licenses, tags, or permits.
• All hunting gear and firearms used in the violation must be forfeited to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
• Exemption from Amendment 621 local-fund spending requirements, because the bill defines a new crime or amends an existing one.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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

Animals