SB314 Alabama 2016 Session

Under existing law, counties have authority to employ persons to prevent cruelty to animals.

This bill would authorize Class municipalities, by local ordinance, to establish the position of certified animal control officer under the supervision of the chief of police.

This bill would authorize the chief of police to determine the qualifications for a certified animal control officer.

This bill would impose civil penalties for violations of municipal ordinances governing the treatment, care, well-being, and safety of animals and authorize a certified animal control officer to issue citations for violations.

This bill would also authorize municipal courts to hear appeals and enforce the civil penalties.

Relating to Class 5 municipalities; to authorize Class 5 municipalities to establish the position of certified animal control officer under the supervision of the chief of police; to authorize the chief of police to determine the qualifications for a certified animal control officer; to authorize a certified animal control officer to issue citations for violations; to authorize civil penalties for violations of municipal ordinances governing the treatment, care, well-being, and safety of animals; and to authorize municipal courts to hear appeals and enforce the citations.