Senate Bill 263 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Animal abandonment; criminal penalties, authority to seize, disposition procedures; established

Summary

SB263 creates a crime for abandoning an animal, gives authorities power to seize and arrange care, and sets hearings and penalties for owners.

What This Bill Does

Abandoning an animal would become illegal and can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, with a Class D felony for aggravated cases (such as prior violations, serious injury or death, or five or more animals abandoned at once). Law enforcement and local government could seize an abandoned animal and order the owner to provide care. If the owner is known, a court hearing would decide whether the animal is returned, kept in care, euthanized, or transferred to a shelter, with specific timelines for hearings and court decisions, and rules about who pays the costs.

Who It Affects

• Animal owners or guardians: could be charged with abandoning an animal and may face fines or jail time, a possible five-year ban on owning other animals, and costs for care and disposition.
• Law enforcement officers and local government: empowered to seize animals, issue care orders, and conduct hearings to determine custody and next steps.

Key Provisions

• Establishes abandoning an animal as a crime with defined terms and penalties (Class A misdemeanor; Class D felony in specified aggravating circumstances).
• Authorizes seizure or care orders by law enforcement/local government, and sets hearing and disposition procedures (timelines, cost allocations, possible euthanization/transfer, and five-year ownership ban; with exemptions).

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

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses