Senate Bill 361 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Garlan GudgerSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Dogs; tethering and confinement requirements provided; persons and activities exempted; criminal penalties for, animal control officer enforcement of, violations established

Summary

SB361 would impose new tethering and confinement rules for dogs, require minimum outdoor care, create exemptions for certain activities, and establish penalties and local enforcement.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill sets specific standards for tethering a dog (using a trolley system, safe restraints, and continuous access to food, water, and shelter), and for confining a dog in an outside enclosure (secure, four-sided, with space and proper materials). It requires shelter and care for dogs kept outside and lists exemptions for certain activities and professionals. It also authorizes local animal control to inspect, remove dogs in danger, issue care orders, and imposes penalties (board/vet costs and misdemeanor charges) with effect on Oct. 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Dog owners and caretakers would need to follow new tethering/confinement rules and provide ongoing shelter, food, and water; noncompliance could carry penalties and required costs.
• Local governments and animal control officers would gain authority to investigate violations, inspect properties, remove dogs in danger, and enforce the act.
• Veterinarians, boarding facilities, shelters, grooming businesses, and certain service providers would have exemptions or specific roles under the bill.
• People engaged in farming, herding livestock, hunting, retrieving, service/assistance dogs, or walking a dog on a leash would have exemptions or allowances in certain situations.

Key Provisions

• Defines key terms: adequate food and water, properly fitted collar or harness, and tether.
• Sets tethering requirements (trolley systems, safety provisions, single dog, swivel ends) and bans dangerous restraints (logging chains, choke/pinch collars).
• Requires secure, four-sided outdoor enclosures with adequate space, durable materials, ventilation, and continuous access to food, water, and shelter when dogs are confined.
• Lists exemptions (veterinary practice, boarding kennels/shelters, shows/trials, obedience or hunting training, service dogs, grooming, emergencies, leash-walking, etc.).
• Requires shelter for tethered/outside dogs meeting weather protection, space, durability, and ventilation standards.
• Empowers county/municipal authorities to appoint animal control officers and allows certified officers to remove dogs or order care; hearing procedures apply; good-faith actions protected from liability.
• Creates penalties: first offense is a Class C misdemeanor; subsequent offenses Class A misdemeanor; owner pays full boarding and veterinary costs.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 10, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals