SB179 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David Burkette

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Animals, required rabies vaccines for certain canidae and felidae, further provided for, possession of certain large felidae, wolves, or bears, prohibited under certain conditions, penalties, Secs. 3-8-1 am'd; Sec. 3-8-2 added.

Summary

SB179 would tighten restrictions on owning certain dangerous animals—requiring rabies vaccines for some canidae and felidae and banning or restricting possession of large felidae, wolves, and bears with specific exceptions and penalties.

What This Bill Does

It makes it illegal to own, maintain, sell, or trade canidae or felidae without a USDA-licensed rabies vaccine, but lets current owners keep the animal for its life if it is neutered/spayed and registered. It also makes it unlawful to possess, sell, transfer, or breed living large felidae, wolf, or bear, except under various approved exemptions (USDA Class C exhibitors, research facilities, certain wildlife shelters and organizations, veterinary hospitals, law enforcement, and film/TV productions) that meet detailed criteria. Individuals who lawfully possessed such animals before the bill’s effective date may keep them under strict conditions (records, no new acquisitions, insurance, a large-bond requirement, and notification to law enforcement). The bill includes enforcement provisions, penalties (Class A misdemeanor for violations of the large-animal provision), and an effective date about three months after passage.

Who It Affects

• People who currently own or maintain canidae or felidae lacking a USDA rabies vaccine (they may be restricted or required to register, neuter, and keep their animal for life).
• Organizations and individuals involved with large felidae, wolves, or bears (exhibitors, researchers, wildlife sanctuaries, animal protection groups, veterinary hospitals, law enforcement, and film/TV productions) who would need to meet specific criteria to possess or continue possessing these animals, or face prohibitions and penalties.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 3-8-1 to prohibit owning, maintaining, selling, or trading canidae or felidae without a USDA-licensed rabies vaccine; current owners may keep the animal for life if spayed/neutered and registered with the Department of Agriculture and Industries, with certain listed exemptions.
• Adds Section 3-8-2 defining bears, large felidae, and wolves (with specific definitions and inclusions/exclusions).
• Prohibits possession, sale, transfer, or breeding of living large felidae, wolves, or bears unless exempted by defined categories.
• Creates exemptions for: USDA Class C exhibitors (with criteria such as abuse-free records, recent USDA inspection reports, liability insurance, inventory and disaster plans, and cooperation with law enforcement); research facilities; nonprofit wildlife sanctuaries meeting strict operational rules; nonprofit animal protection organizations temporarily housing animals at law enforcement request; licensed veterinary hospitals; law enforcement; and film/TV productions with appropriate licensing.
• Allows individuals who lawfully possessed such animals before the act to keep them if they meet requirements (records, no new acquisitions, no convictions, no revoked licenses, escape/disaster planning, inventory, proof of liability insurance, and advance notice to law enforcement for sales/relocation), plus a $1,000,000 surety bond and adherence to care standards.
• Notices that the act is in addition to other animal-welfare laws and allows local bodies to enact stricter rules; authorizes enforcement and seizure if violations occur.
• Penalties: a violation of the large-animal prohibition is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor’s approval.
• Constitutional/local-funding note: the bill includes language about Amendment 621 but is treated as not requiring local-government approval because it defines a new crime or amends the crime definition.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals