HB305 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew SorrellAuditor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Animals, cruelty to dogs and cats, shelter defined, Sec. 13A-11-240 am'd.

Summary

HB 305 adds an explicit definition of shelter for dogs and cats to Alabama’s cruelty laws, clarifying what counts as adequate shelter when animals are kept outdoors.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 13A-11-240 to define shelter as a structure that regularly outdoors-kept dogs or cats use to stay protected from heat, cold, wind, and water, and that has a roof and sides and enough space to enter, turn around, and lie down. This creates a concrete standard for when failing to provide shelter could be charged as cruelty in the second degree. The definition applies to domesticated dogs and cats and the act becomes law immediately after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Owners and guardians of dogs and cats who keep them outdoors, who must provide shelter that meets the new definition to avoid cruelty charges
• Law enforcement, animal-control officers, and prosecutors who enforce cruelty laws, who will use the new shelter definition to determine violations

Key Provisions

• Defines 'shelter' as a roofed, side-enclosed structure that protects a dog or cat regularly maintained outdoors from heat, cold, wind, and water and that is sized for the animal to enter, turn around, and lie down
• Amends Section 13A-11-240 to incorporate this shelter definition into the cruelty to dogs and cats statute and specifies that the act takes effect immediately upon 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