Animal Services in Lowndes County

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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Lowndes County

With no impoundment facility and no animal control, Lowndes County is failing to fulfill the statutory mandate of Alabama Code § 3-7A-7 that “Each county within the state shall provide a suitable county pound and impounding officer.”

In Jan. 2023, County resident Melissa Peak “delivered a plea to Lowndes County Commissioners at a Jan. 9 meeting, requesting their help for pets in Lowndes County,” according to a Lowndes Signal article.

Animal Control in Lowndes County

Lowndes County has no animal control services — neither in the unincorporated area nor in the towns of Benton, Fort Deposit, Gordonville, Hayneville, Lowndesboro, Mosses, or White Hall. For assistance, contact Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at 334-548-6151, Lowndes County Commission at 334-548-2331, or if you are in a town, the police department or town hall.

We offer this guidance to residents and advocates who need help or who would like the county and municipalities to offer animal services.

Dog Confinement Requirements in Lowndes County

County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Lowndes County officials stated that they enforced Alabama Code § 3-1-5 and believed it to be applicable, but had no record of statute adoption and expressed misconceptions over statute applicability, as detailed below.

We do not know whether the towns of Benton, Fort Deposit, Gordonville, Hayneville, Lowndesboro, Mosses, or White Hall require confinement by ordinance, but if dog confinement is required in Lowndes County under Alabama Code § 3-1-5, we can safely presume that dog confinement is required in Lowndes County towns also.

Our Recommendation for those in the unincorporated area or in a municipality with unclear statutory authority is to proceed as if the statute or an ordinance is applicable, by keeping their own dogs confined or in their charge and by reporting owners who allow their dog to run loose, for the safety of people and animals alike.

How to Report: See How to Report an At-Large Violation.

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Lowndes County

• Non-profit clinic: Alabama Animal Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic in Montgomery is a non-profit clinic specializing in low-cost sterilization. The clinic is open to everyone regardless of income or place of residence.
• $10 sterilization may be available to residents who receive Medicaid or food stamps. See information at Alabama Animal Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic or call 334-239-7787.
• Pate Animal Clinic in Hayneville participates in the ALVMF license plate program, which offers $10 cat sterilization or $20 dog sterilization for Medicaid recipients.
• See Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama for additional resources.

Lowndes County Documents

• Lowndes 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

• Jacqueline (Jackie) Thomas, Lowndes County Administrator, stated via tel on Apr. 25, 2025 that the county has no shelter, no boarding contract, and no AC. On Mar. 26, 2025, Jackie said she believed the Commission had not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. She also conferenced with the county attorney, Prince Chestnut, who did not know about the statute. He and Jackie suggested checking with District Judge Adrian Johnson.
• Christine Scott, Judicial Assistant for District Judge Adrian Johnson, said on Mar. 28, 2025 that she would try to find out whether the county had adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, and recommended contacting Circuit Clerk Stephanie Jones.
• Stephanie Jones, Circuit Clerk, said that the Commission would be the source of the information of whether the Commission had adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. I asked Stephanie how she would determine, if a resident were cited for violation of the statute or if a resident asked to swear out a warrant, whether the law was applicable? This opened a wonderfully frank discussion in which we wondered if law enforcement is writing a citation or approving a summons/warrant, do they have something in their records about the statute’s applicability? What if a case made it to court? Presumably a defense attorney would investigate whether the law applies and if not, would have solid ground for dismissal.
• Sgt./Lt. Marvin of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office stated on Mar. 26, 2025 that the SO has prosecuted violations of Alabama Code § 3-1-5, and that he was “almost 100% positive” that it has been adopted by the Lowndes County Commission. Lt. Marvin also stated that the county has no animal control. On Mar. 28, 2025, he remained certain that the county has adopted and that cases have not been thrown out, however he did not know when the statute was adopted and did not have a copy of a resolution to adopt. In explaining the lack of accessible records, he said that Commission minutes are still handwritten.

Do You Have a Correction, Addition, or Comment?

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