Animal Services in Dale County
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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Dale County
City of Ozark Animal Shelter1315 Parker Dr, Ozark, AL 36360
334-774-4633
The City of Ozark Animal Shelter is the impoundment facility for the City of Ozark and also for Dale County, through a contract with the county, according to Ozark Police Department Captain Glenn Peters. If you have found a lost, stray, or abandoned animal, contact local authorities or this shelter.
- Stray Hold is 7 days.
- Spay/Neuter is not performed on all animals prior to release to the adopter.
- Animal Census Reports are prepared monthly and may be requested from Captain Peters.
Captain Peters manages the City of Ozark Animal Shelter; Brittani Cook serves as shelter supervisor.
Ozark-Dale County Humane Society (ODCHS)Bivens Dr., Ozark, Alabama (see directions)
334-774-PETS (7387)
Although their name suggests that this is a public facility, Ozark-Dale County Humane Society is a private nonprofit that receives no government funding and holds no government contracts.
When Dale County ceased operating their own impoundment facility in 2004, opting instead to contract with the City of Ozark, the John Neher family established ODCHS and began leasing the former Dale County facility to shelter animals, according to the ODCHS website.
The shelter, managed by Ruth Scheipe, is open daily and welcomes volunteers.
Animal Control in Dale County
Animal Control in Unincorporated Areas of Dale County: Dale County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the impoundment of loose untagged dogs and the enforcement of animal laws in Dale County. Call 334-774-2335.
Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:
- Daleville Animal Control was initiated in April 2025 as part of the Daleville Department of Public Safety. Call 334-598-4442. Jacklynn Lambert of WTVY reported that impounded dogs are held in city kennels.
- To report a lost pet, neglect, or other animal concern in Dothan, call the Communications Center at 334-793-0215. Also see Animal Services in Houston County.
- For help in Enterprise, see Animal Services in Coffee County.
- In Ozark, call central dispatch at 334-774-5111.
- For assistance in Level Plains or the towns of Ariton, Clayhatchee, Grimes, Midland City, Napier Field, Newton, or Pinckard, contact Dale County Sheriff’s Office.
If your ACO is unable to help or if your area has no animal services, see this guidance.
Dog Confinement Requirements in Dale County
After Another Death, Will Commissioners Act?
FEB. 17, 2026 — Gabriel Damien Barron, 16, was fatally mauled while fishing at a pond on his family's Daleville property on Feb. 17, 2026. The dogs belonged to neighboring property owner Thomas Eric Sutton, according to a report by Ken Curtis of WTVY.
JULY 29, 2023 — Three years before Barron’s death, Demarcus “Sam” McKenzie II, 27, was fatally mauled by 5–6 dogs while walking down a residential driveway in Skipperville, per WSFA.
Dale County allows running at large. Both fatalities involved unconfined dogs. Both fatalities occurred in the unincorporated area of Dale County, where it remains legal for owners to allow their dogs to roam. With a single vote to adopt Alabama’s dog confinement statute, Dale County Commissioners could take an important step for people and animals in Dale County.
Will Dale County Commissioners vote to protect public safety and quality of life? Five days after Barron was killed at the pond, Dale County Commissioners met. Minutes record no discussion of the mauling, the county’s mandate to protect public safety, or consideration of adopting Alabama Code § 3-1-5.
Dog confinement is not required in unincorporated Dale County because the Dale County Commission has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, which would require that dogs be confined to the owner’s premises or kept in the charge of a responsible person if off-premises. There are still steps you can take to address issues or to encourage the county to require confinement.
Dog Confinement Requirements Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:
- Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Daleville (§ 8-22), Dothan (§ 10-8), Enterprise (§ 5-22), and Ozark (§ 4-44).
- There may be no requirement in Level Plains, Ariton, Clayhatchee, Grimes, Midland City, Napier Field, Newton, or Pinckard. Please email us if you can share information.
How to Report: See How to Report an At-Large Violation.
Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Dale County
- The nonprofit Wiregrass Spay/Neuter Alliance in Dothan is the best source low-cost spay and neuter services we are aware of near Dale County, Alabama. Skip the drive by utilizing Blooper Animal Rescue & Transport for pet transportation to Wiregrass Spay/Neuter Alliance from Enterprise, Andalusia, and Opp. Dates and registration details are posted on the Blooper website and Facebook page.
- See Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Houston County and Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Alabama for other options and assistance.
Dale County Documents
- County Commission Public Records Request Form: The County Commission does not appear to have a Public Records Request form on their website. Call the Commission to request a form or submit according to the Open Records Act template.
Sources
- Captain Glenn Peters, City of Ozark Police Department, 334-400-4267, shelter@ozarkal.gov, spoke with Aubrie Kavanaugh about the shelter and animal control on May 1, 2025.
- Robin Mitchell, Dale County Commission clerk, 334-774-6262 x7, consulted with Steve McKinnon, Commission Chairman, to confirm that the County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. She provided this information on a call with Kristin Yarbrough on Apr. 1, 2025. We spoke again May 27, 2027: Robin did not know whether the Commission had considered adopting the statute in wake of the February dog attack death; she left a message for Chairman McKinnon to call.
- Ozark-Dale County Humane Society was contacted via email May 26, 2026 to request any corrections or additions to this page.
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