SB232 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Dogs, dangerous defined, procedure and hearing provided to determine if dangerous, registration, penalties, liability of owner, Emily's Law

Summary

Emily's Law creates a uniform process to declare dangerous dogs, determine whether they must be euthanized or can be returned to their owner under strict conditions, and adds new registration and penalties for owners.

What This Bill Does

It defines what counts as a dangerous dog and sets up investigation, impoundment, and a court hearing. If the dog has caused serious physical injury or death, the court must order humane euthanasia. If the dog is dangerous but did not cause serious injury, the court may euthanize or allow return to the owner under conditions such as microchip, current rabies vaccination, spaying/neutering, impoundment until compliance, annual $100 dangerous-dog registration (or $100 penalty for non-registration), a $100,000 surety bond, and a proper enclosure, with costs paid by the owner.

Who It Affects

• Dog owners, especially those with dogs deemed dangerous, who must meet the new requirements, pay fees, and may face euthanasia or penalties depending on the outcome of investigations and hearings.
• Animal control officers, law enforcement, counties and municipalities who investigate dangerous-dog claims, impound dogs, enforce registration and enclosure rules, and collect fees and bonds.

Key Provisions

• Establishes Emily's Law: creates a process to declare a dog dangerous, requires impoundment and a court hearing, and if no serious injury occurs, allows the dog to be returned to the owner under conditions including microchip, vaccination, spaying/neutering, impoundment until compliance, annual $100 dangerous-dog registration or $100 penalty for non-registration, a $100,000 surety bond, and a proper enclosure with required standards.
• Imposes criminal penalties and enforcement requirements: provides felony/misdemeanor penalties for owners based on prior dangerous-dog status and injuries caused, requires owners to pay investigation, impoundment, court costs, and annual fees, and mandates containment and bonding rules; designates animal control or law enforcement to enforce the act and handles appeals and enforcement during investigations.

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