HB485 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Dickie Drake
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Livestock, private cause of action for damages to livestock cause by a dog, provided, certain officers to initiate an investigation of injury to livestock, authorized, Secs. 3-1-4, 3-1-6 repealed; Secs. 3-1-1, 3-1-5 am'd.
Summary: HB485 would allow livestock owners to sue dog owners for damages caused by dogs that kill or injure livestock, authorize investigations by animal control and police, and repeal existing dog-liability provisions.
What This Bill Does
It creates a private civil action for damages to livestock caused by a dog, with courts able to award actual, punitive, or injunctive relief and attorney fees; double damages may be awarded if the dog owner knew or should have known about previous harm. It authorizes animal control officers and law enforcement to investigate when a dog is suspected of harassing, harming, or killing livestock. It imposes misdemeanors for failing to properly restrain a dog known to kill livestock and for not complying with an authorized investigation, and it requires dog owners to keep dogs confined to their premises. It repeals existing sections on dog liability for livestock and includes a local-funding provision requiring a 2/3 vote or local approval/funding, with an effective date set after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Livestock owners and caretakers who could sue dog owners for damages caused off premises.
Dog owners and keepers who could face civil liability, criminal penalties, and stricter confinement requirements for their dogs.

Key Provisions
Amends sections 3-1-1 and 3-1-5 to provide a private action for damages to livestock caused by a dog and to require confinement of dogs; repeals sections 3-1-4 and 3-1-6 related to previous liability provisions.
Authorizes animal control and law enforcement to initiate investigations when a dog is suspected of harassing, harming, or killing livestock.
Defines penalties: Class B misdemeanor for failing to properly restrain a dog known to kill livestock; Class C misdemeanor for not complying with an investigation; includes double damages if the owner knew or should have known of prior incidents.
Provides for damages in civil actions (actual, compensatory, punitive, or injunctive relief) and attorney fees for prevailing plaintiffs; allows double damages under certain knowledge conditions.
Requires dog owners to confine dogs to their premises (with limited exceptions) and imposes Class B misdemeanor penalties for violations.
Includes a local-funding constitutional provision requiring a 2/3 vote or local approval/funding for new or increased local expenditures; effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Livestock