SB231 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tom Whatley
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Dogs, used for agricultural work, exempt from local leash laws, exception
Summary: SB231 would exempt agricultural work dogs from local leash laws when they are working, with an exception for wildlife management areas.
What This Bill Does
The bill defines what counts as an agricultural work dog and a hunting dog. It states that local leash or restraint laws do not apply to an agricultural work dog while the dog is engaged in agricultural work or hunting. There is an exception that the exemption does not apply in wildlife management areas, where leash laws would still apply. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved.

Who It Affects
Farmers and livestock owners who use dogs for herding or protecting livestock or aiding in agricultural work, because their dogs would be exempt from local leash laws during those activities.
Local governments, animal control officers, and residents in areas with leash laws, because enforcement would be limited for agricultural work or hunting dogs (except in wildlife management areas) and outside those activities leash laws could still apply.

Key Provisions
Defines Agricultural Work Dog as a dog trained to herd or protect livestock or assist in agricultural work and used for those purposes.
Defines Hunting Dog as a dog trained to hunt wild game with a handler.
Exempts agricultural work dogs from local leash or restraint laws while engaged in agricultural work or hunting, with an exception for wildlife management areas.
Specifies that the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and 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: Animals