House Bill 446 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip EnslerRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Dogs; required methods of confinement provided; persons and activities exempted; criminal penalty for, animal control officer enforcement of violations established

Summary

HB446 would create the Alabama Dog Tethering and Outdoor Shelter Act, establishing standards for tethering and outdoor confinement of dogs, minimum outside care, and enforcement with penalties.

What This Bill Does

It would require tethering or confinement to meet specific dog-friendly methods, including a trolley system and a weight limit no greater than one-eighth of the dog's weight. It would require dogs kept outside to have adequate food and water and shelter that provides a roof, walls, a floor, ventilation, and enough space to stand, turn, and lie down. It would provide exemptions for veterinarians, boarding kennels or shelters, animal shows or trials, obedience or hunting training, grooming, and certain emergencies. It would authorize inspections and enforcement by county or municipal animal control officers and certified law enforcement, allow removal of a dog if the dog's life is in danger, and require the owner to cover boarding and veterinary costs if a violation occurs; the act would take effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Dog owners/keepers who tether or confine outside: must follow tethering and outdoor-care standards and may face penalties and costs if violations occur.
• County/municipal governments and animal control officers (and certified law enforcement): authorized to investigate violations, enforce the act, remove dogs in danger, issue care orders, and handle hearings.

Key Provisions

• Tethering and confinement rules: prohibits leaving a dog tethered to stationary objects unless using a dog-specific trolley system with a weight limit of no more than 1/8 the dog's weight, appropriate collar or harness, swivels, a 10-foot cable run, and other safety features; non-dog tethering devices are banned for indefinite tethering.
• Outdoor shelter, food, and water standards: requires adequate food and water and a shelter that is dry, weather-protective, roofed, walled, floored, ventilated, and large enough for the dog to stand, turn, lie down, and extend its limbs, with the area kept free of waste and debris; enforcement and penalties are provided.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals