HB203 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jimmy Martin
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Chilton Co., dangerous dogs, procedures for declaring dog dangerous in unincorporated areas of county, registration requirement, criminal penalties, const. amend.
Summary: HB 203 would amend the Alabama Constitution to let Chilton County outside city limits create a local process to declare dangerous dogs, have them humanely destroyed, and penalize their owners.
What This Bill Does
If approved, the Legislature could pass local laws establishing a procedure to declare a dog dangerous and destroy it humanely. It would also allow criminal penalties to be imposed on owners of dogs declared dangerous. The authority applies only to the unincorporated areas of Chilton County and requires voter approval in an election.

Who It Affects
Dog owners in the Chilton County areas outside municipalities, who could face criminal penalties if their dog is declared dangerous.
Residents and local animal-control authorities in those areas who would implement and enforce the new procedures.

Key Provisions
Proposes a local constitutional amendment authorizing Chilton County, outside the corporate limits of any municipality, to establish a procedure to declare a dog dangerous and to have it humanely destroyed.
Allows the county to impose criminal penalties on the owners of a dog declared dangerous.
Requires an election to approve the amendment and describes the ballot language and process.

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