Sources & Details

Alabama Code § 3-1-5 by County

Have you seen the County Map? Go there first. This page offers supplemental information and research notes.

(Population and square mileage data is from Wikipedia.)

How Accurate is This Information?

As is also the case with my Blount County municipal research, research accuracy is dependent upon on the accuracy of the information received from public officials in each county. I verified affirmative answers by requesting documentation of the adoption; negative answers, however, cannot be definitively verified.

Initially, 30 counties reported adoption or enforcement of the statute, but only 17 were able to provide record of adoption (as of this May 15, 2025 writing). In many counties, officials reported that they had adopted and/or do enforce the statute, but Commission representatives found no Resolution or other documentation, or were unable to search because records were undigitized and essentially inaccessible. Commissioners would be wise to adopt (or re-adopt) for reasons including to protect public safety and quality of life for their residents, and for the eight counties that are enforcing without record of adoption, to avoid the spending of resources on enforcing a statute for which they lack evidence of applicability.

This research showed that although § 3-1-5 is a statute that impacts every dog owner and everyone who has dog-owning neighbors, whether the statute applies in each county was known only by very few public officials — if known at all. The adoption is done through a Commission vote and, usually, a Resolution. Only the rare county posted their Resolution (or any information about animal control, for that matter) on their website and several stated that searching for minutes or a resolution could take weeks. Further, several counties (Cullman, Etowah, Marshall, Montgomery, and Morgan) initially refused an emailed records request, even though Alabama’s Open Records Act does not require that requests be made in person and is applicable to all Alabama residents. Etowah and Morgan counties have forms and procedures but inexplicably do not post them on their County websites, thus requiring unnecessary extra steps for both staff members and requesters.

I applaud the County Commissions which included the most specific information on their websites: Elmore and Madison posted the Resolution; Mobile posted an announcement and update. I also appreciate that Baldwin and Limestone facilitate free access via online archives; and other counties mentioned the law on their website or on social media (Baldwin, Calhoun SO, Coffee, Jefferson SO, Lee County AC, Morgan SO, Shelby, and Tuscaloosa). Baldwin and Elmore representatives deserve praise for being especially responsive to records requests.

In the notes below, I had originally included only soures and other relevant details; later I kept records of all research steps as I believe that information to be relevant and revealing as well. Since this page is continuously updated, please save a link rather than a PDF or printout.

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Autauga County

Autauga County officials stated that the County had not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5; however, Sheriff’s Office representatives stated that they enforce at-large violations. Thus, the County is indicated with an asterisk. A citation or summons is likely to be dismissedby an observant judge or if challenged on the basis of no record of adoption by the Commission.

Two of the three people I spoke to at the SO stated that the County does require confinement:

• On a Jan. 31, 2025 phone call, Carolyn stated that the county had adopted the statute and providing this procedure: If a violation is witnessed, officer cites and submits bodycam footage; otherwise a report is written and victim can pursue a warrant. Reports are anonymous; officers state only that a call was received. Officers do impound if the dog is not wearing a rabies tag, and/or if the dog is in a potentially dangerous situation such as growling or on a road.
• On a Mar. 19 phone call, Operator 892 was not familiar with the statute and advised to go with the Commission’s information.
• On an Apr. 2 phone call, Dep. Eller who said the statute was adopted 2–3 years ago, but then said the code they actually cite on is § 3-5-2. When I asked about that statute applying only to livestock, Dep. Eller said they also enforce a different code for dogs.

On Apr. 1, 2025, I saw that Autaga does have Animal Control and called in hopes of a decisive answer; the call actually went to the SO where I was told that AC hours are 6am–6pm. On Apr. 2, I called the SO and was transferred to Communications (which seemed to be their name for Dispatch), where I was given a different tel, 334-595-0215. This turned out to be Robert Johnson at Code Enforcement, who initially said yes but then we clarified that he enforces only for the City of Prattville and directed me back to the SO regarding AC in the unincorporated area.

At the Commission office, Charlotte Eason, secretary/clerk, stated definitively that the County had not adopted:

• On a Mar. 19 phone call to request the adoption year (per SO statements), Charlotte stated that the County had not adopted the law and the only confinement requirement is in the city of Prattville.
• On an Apr. 2 follow-up call, Charlotte stated that after our previous conversation, she had double checked County resolutions, proclamations, and other records to definitively determine that no, the County had definitely not adopted the statute.

Baldwin County

Baldwin County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is the last FAQ item in the Animal Shelter FAQ: “No Baldwin County does not have a leash law. The county follows Section 3-1-5.” Accessed Mar. 18, 2025. On a phone call the next day, Nick at the Baldwin County Animal Shelter said that the statute was adopted on Mar. 7, 1990. To learn how the statute was adopted and why, I requested records on Apr. 11 and in less than two hours was directed to a “Baldwin County Meetings Calendar,” where I reviewed Minutes for the stated date as well as two meetings prior (it appears that the only discussion was on the date of adoption). The Minutes [see p. 3-4 or this clip] reveal that the Commission adopted the statute at the request of the SO.

The County also freely shares several documents and records related to the shelter and Animal Control. Bravo, Balwin County!

Barbour County

Barbour County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Sources are Renay Hurst, human resources at the Commission, and ACO Scott (334-232-1201), who both confirmed on Mar. 28, 2025 that the County had not adopted the statute. Both also stated that Barbour County needs the statute. Renay spoke of dogs walking around everywhere, even pit bulls walking in front of the courthouse. I emailed Renay the Guide for Counties & Municipalities and she and Scott are both aware that I am happy to provide further info or help in any way possible. (I declined the request to speak to a Commission meeting due to the 6+ hr round trip; I have full confidence in Scott and Renay!)

Other attempts: Mar. 19, 2025 to Commission office tel listed, 334-775-8571; vm for Raye Anne Calton, county administrator. On Mar. 20 I sent a msg through Fb to Barbour County HS; reply stated that they did not know of any law and recommended Commissioners Eric Pomeroy or Jerry McGilvary. I sent a Fb msg to Eric via Fb; no answer. On Mar. 28 I tried the listed number again (which goes directly to Rayanne); her vm provides another tel for the Commission: 334-775-3203 x3. The receptionist transferred me to Renay; when neither Renay nor her vm picked up, the receptionist then advised I call ACO Scott, vm. I then called the SO and left a vm for the sheriff; called again and left a vm for the chief deputy. (The county appears to have no website.)

Bibb County

Bibb County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Sources are Kim Holiday, deputy administrator, and Chase at the shelter, both on Apr. 1, 2025.

Other attempts: I left a vm on Mar. 19 and again Mar. 28 for deputy county administrator, 205-926-3114. Msg sent to Friends of Bibb County Alabama Pound, Mar. 20., who referred me to the shelter, 205-316-1254; vm, Mar. 20. Sent email to shelter, Mar. 23; msg bounced. Mar. 28 county administrator, vm. Woman at the SO did not know on a phone call the same day; she took my tel if she can find out anything. I also tried the shelter again, left another vm. On Apr. 1, after still hearing nothing, I called again and left another vm for the county administrator.

Blount County

Blount County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. The Commission’s discussion and vote can be found at BlountAnimals.com. See these resources for videos of the discussion amongst county residents, commissioners, and the county attorney, and meeting minutes documenting the July 9, 2024 discussion (see pages 2–3) and the Aug. 13, 2024 unanimous vote (see pages 1–2, or this clip of only the vote).

The statute had been discussed only twice before in the Commission’s history, in 2001 and 2017, according to the information provided in a June 2024 records request. Although the statute is usually adopted via Resolution, the Blount Commission’s vote was only recorded in Minutes. Although it may be a legal gray area, it is our belief that formal adoption of the statute requires a Resolution, just as municipal ordinances are adopted by Resolution. We offered this suggestion to the county, and the county administrator stated that he would pass on the information to the county attorney.

Bullock County

Bullock County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Information is from the wonderfully knowledgeable and proactive Jeanie at Bullock County Humane Society, via tel on Mar. 20, 2025.

Butler County

Butler County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. The Commission receptionist believed that there is no requirement and referred me to the Butler County Humane Society. A representative confirmed via Fb msg on Mar. 24, 2025 that the County has not adopted the statute.

Calhoun County

Calhoun County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in 1984 via Resolution provided by SO Lt. Josh Doggrell on May 13, 2025.

I learned of the adoption from a 2016 Calhoun County SO Facebook post [saved in this jpg] stating that the statute had been adopted in the mid-’80s. On May 9, I spoke with the friendly Lt. Doggrell (256-241-8055) at the SO (256-236-6600). He recalled “the flier that we put out since we get such a large number of complaints about dogs,” thinking it may mention 3-1-5; the code reference was to the County responsibility to provide a pound and AC in 3-7a-7. Then he turned to the SO SOP, which he said stated that the CC had passed a resolution implementing 3-1-5, but it did not include a year or details. Doggrell noted my name and tel and said he would call if he finds anything. He left a vm that day saying he was able to find it; I left a vm with my email address on May 12; and Lt. Doggrell emailed the Resolution on May 13.

Previously I had requested adoption doc(s) from the Commission; however, officials refused to provide records according to Alabama’s Open Records Act:

On Mar. 19, Kim Elkins at the Commission office (256-241-2800 x6) said she would call back with the year of adoption; I did not receive a call. On Mar. 29, I submitted a records request, but no response was received within the Open Records Act’s 10 business day acknowledgement time. On an Apr. 15 follow-up, Christy Ford had me send the request to her direct address and confirmed receipt. On Apr. 24, I left a follow-up vm with Christy to check status of the request. On Apr. 28, the Commission office tel just rang and rang on two attempts.

On Apr. 29, Christy stated that requests are forwarded to to the county attorney’s office (256-241-2937), where Heather Turner, legal administrative assistant, said the Commission had in Nov. 2024 adopted a new policy requiring that the requester fill out a form in person, and that emails are a cybersecurity risk. We spoke about an in-person requirement being in violation of the Open Records Act, that it is unrealistic for a researcher to request and pickup in person across their own county much less the entire state, that cybersecurity risk is a cop-out considering that many other digital options are available and in use in other counties, that the Act states that the record holder “shall provide” public records so long as the requester is a state resident, and that the 10-day response period for my Mar. 29 request has long come and gone. Heather said she's just following policy and that she will check with the attorney when that person is back in the office tomorrow. On May 1, after not having heard back, I left a vm for Heather and emailed her; the auto-reply stated that she would be out of the office until Monday, May 5. On May 5 and again May 7, I left another vm for Heather requesting that she let me know whether the request can be provided or if the attorney decided not to fulfill it.

Chambers County

Chambers County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Lisa, Supervisor at Lee County Animal Control (see Lee notes) who during our Mar. 28, 2025 conversation about Lee County stated that Chambers had not adopted and also does not have AC for the county (a couple of municipalities do have AC); when calls are received, residents are told to shoot the dog [which remains illegal in the absence of legal cause, despite this instruction] or to transport the dog to the humane society. Lisa did add that she did not know whether Chambers had adopted the law; in any case they are not enforcing it. This will be updated if Chambers Co reprepresentatives offer different information.

Other attempts: Fb msgs sent Mar. 20 to Chattahoochee Humane and Friends of Chattahoochee Humane; no response. On Mar. 28 I left a voicemail for County Manager Regina Chambers and also emailed the address listed for the Commission. On Apr. 1, I received a reply from a Commission representative stating that the question had been forwarded to the county attorney.

Cherokee County

Cherokee County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Information provided by ACO Dustin Dutton, Mar. 2025. Dustin also stated that adoption was considered roughly 15 years ago; the hearing turned into a riot. In this rural county, some residents have no neighbor within a mile. Nonetheless, some residents were concerned about citations or dogs being taken, even though the law would never be enforced that way.

Chilton County

Chilton County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 on Nov. 26, 2024, as can be read in the Minutes (p. 10) or in the excerpt on page 1 of this PDF of Chilton County § 3-1-5 documents. Pages 2 is a letter from the Sheriff asking the Commission to adopt the statute; they did so on the same day. Pages 2–4 are left with dog owners by ACOs when a violation is reported.

The documents and information were provided by ACO Sgt. Rocky Mims on Apr. 24, 2025. His contact information was provided by a shelter staff member via Facebook message — I was impressed by the staff member’s prompt response and helpfulness, especially considering that some shelters do not respond to Facebook messages or comments. The shelter staff member messaged on Apr. 23 that the County has “different [ACOs] for each jurisdiction in the county as they are post certified police officers,” which is notable for this county of only 45,000.

Prior to receiving the records from Rocky, I had called the Commission, where a staff member stated that records request had to be in person (a restriction that violates the Open Records Act). I did not challenge that policy since a records request was, in the end, not necessary.

Also, the Chilton County Animal Shelter posted on Facebook on Mar. 19 about the statute’s 2024 adoption. Adoption was previously discussed at a 2015 meeting, according to a Clanton Observer article.

Choctaw County

Choctaw County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Vicki at the SO on a Mar. 28, 2025 phone call.

Clarke County

Commission tel went to vm on Mar. 28, 2025. I left a vm and also sent an email to Christy Roberts, county administrator, who replied right away that the Commission has not adopted.

Clay County

Source is Linda Varner in the Commission administration office, who is “pretty much certain” that the statute has not been adopted, via a Mar. 28, 2025 phone call. Linda took my phone number so that she could follow up if she received different information from the county attorney, who has worked for the county for 25 years. She also stated that dogs are loose everywhere in the county. Linda did follow up on the same day to state that the attorney was not aware of any Resolution.

Cleburne County

Source is Lisa Copeland, county administrator, on a Mar. 28, 2025 phone call.

Coffee County

Coffee County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Coffee Commission FAQ states, “Are there any animal control policies (leash law) for Coffee County? There are no animal control policies in the unincorporated areas of Coffee County.” Accessed Mar. 18, 2025.

Colbert County

Colbert County officials believe that the County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5; however, locating any record of adoption, if even possible, would take several full days of searching, according to Roger Creekmore, County Administrator, on an Apr. 1, 2025 call. Roger guessed that the law was adopted in the 1940s, stating that Colbert County has historically been an early actor.

In a 25-minute conversation, Roger also spoke about state animal laws and local enforcement. In Colbert County, AC is handled by the nonprofit Colbert Animal Services, which includes two non-deputized officers who investigate, and then call the SO if a cruelty violation is suspected. Still, this arrangement has been challenged via lawsuits specifically against Colbert Animal Services and arguments in a recent severe cruelty case (see WHNT, FOX54) that an ACO was improperly granted a search warrant. Roger spoke of Colbert and Mobile Counties asking the County Commission Association about working toward local control of AC policies, but it sounded like no progress was made. He said the County struggles with municipal residents dumping animals in the unincorporated county.

Regarding 3-1-5, Roger said the SO tells him they cannot enforce, and that enforcement is not feasible financially because the $2–50 fee does not cover costs (and court cost is retained by the court, he said). Even when citizens press charges, which Roger said most do not due to the unavailability of anonymity, the DA is reluctant to allow a summons or warrant because “they don’t want to deal with something that small” and may do so only if the resident was persistent. He believes the fine should be “at least $250” and would like us to stay in touch, especially if an amendment is considered.

Roger also stated that a warning on the first violation is a due process necessity because residents need to be given the opportunity to comply. (After the conversation I wondered why, then, the same requirement would not also apply to speeding tickets and any other violation.)

Roger said the state animal laws “beg for revision.” When asked what he would change, he began with “Where do I start?,” then stating that the “vicious animal laws do not go far enough,” that the laws “do not go far enough about stray animals,” nor about “animal neglect and animal cruelty.” The statutes are on the books, he said, but the enforcement was impeded by the lack of authority for non-deputized officers to enforce, because SOs have their hands full. Penalties must also increase, Roger said. He also spoke about the challenge of passing any animal law in Alabama because “ALFA opposes anything.”

Roger also spoke of two maulings by seven owned dogs in Franklin County. The second victim was a 17-year employee of the Alabama Department of Public Health who had traveled to the location to address the first attack and would not have known that the dogs were still loose, since the dogs should have been contained or seized. She was not allowed to be armed on the job. The dog owner was arrested and indicted on two counts of manslaughter and a violation of Emily’s Law, and the estate of the Public Health worker filed a civil suit against the dog owner, the property owner, the County, Animal Control, the SO, and other individuals and agencies, which points to the public safety liability of governments and officials. As of Aug. 2024, the criminal case had yet to reach trial due to delays related to the defendant’s health.

Conecuh County

Conecuh County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is a Commission admin stated that the County does not have a requirement for residents to keep dogs on their property. She was definitive in her answer but then refused to tell me her name or even her title or position as a source of the information. Instead she told me to call the animal shelter, 251-578-2440, where a man was not familiar with the statute and just said they follow the state animal laws. He also said that the judge doesn’t want to pursue animal abuse or anything related to animals, from what he's been told, that the judge considers it a “waste of time in the courts.” The man said that the shelter receives such a call at least once a week. I asked him whether he was familiar with the right of citizens to bring a complaint to the magistrate; he was not and said they (shelter staff) just tells residents to be persistent, report again, go to the Commission or Council meetings, that they may have to go to several. I offered to send information about swearing out a warrant; he declined. Calls made Mar. 28, 2025.

Coosa County

Coosa County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Commission admin Amy stated that there was no adoption during her nearly four year tenure. Amy then she transferred the call to the SO where I was directed to Sheila Thomas’ vm, Mar. 28, 2025. On Mar. 31, Sheriff Mike Howell stated, after expressing suspicion about why I was asking and commenting, “I don’t want to be put in no report,” that the Commission had not adopted the law. I assured him that I was only noting a source for the information.

Covington County

Covington County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Citizens had asked the Commission to adopt in 2023 and 2024. If the 2024 article is accurate, both the county attorney and the sheriff were unaware that the statute could be adopted to give the county authority to address at-large dogs. There was no answer and no vm option at the Commission office on Mar. 28, 2025; I emailed to Karen Sowell, county administrator, and Rachel Faust, admin assistant. I followed up on Mar. 31; Rachel had not received the email; she stated that the county had not adopted the statute.

Crenshaw County

Crenshaw County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Sources are Dawn Rayborn and Sydney in the Commission office on a Mar. 28, 2025 phone call.

Cullman County

Cullman County officials report that the Commission adopted “all of Title 3” in 1989. Since Alabama Code § 3-1-5 is part of Title 3, it appears likely that Cullman County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, though it is unclear why the Commission would have adopted Title 3, since the At Large law is the only statute within Title 3 that is not automatically applicable throughout the state. This and other questions, as detailed below, remain unaddressed since Cullman County Clerk Tiffany Merriman and County Administrator John Bullard refused to provide records according to Alabama’s Open Records Act, and Animal Control Director Rodney Banister did not have any record.

I found only two published references to the statute’s applicability in Cullman County. First, a 2007 Cullman Times article which stated that “Cullman County Animal Control Division Director Tim McKoy said the county has a leash law”; however, the $330 + court cost numbers given don't line up with the statute nor with Cullman’s municipal ordinance, so it’s unclear what was being referred to. Second, a 2017 Facebook post by Cullman County Animal Control which states that “there is a confinement law in Cullman County” without mentioning adoption of the statute. In the comments section, Cullman County Animal Control inaccurately advised a resident that “After a dog has been on your property for more than 7 days you become the owner of the animal.”

On Apr. 1, 2025, I called the Commission office (256-739-3530 x5) to ask simply in what year the statute was adopted, and a woman who said she was filling in consulted with another Commission staffer. They found a Resolution from 1989 that apparently pertained to all of Title 3 Animals, and another from Jan. 28, 2014 that apparently dealt with AC policies. She took my information to follow up. On Apr. 2, Heather Conn, accountant for the Commission, emailed that she spoke to the ACO whose memory was that Title 3 was adopted by the Commission on Aug. 10, 1989 and that the Resolution adopted at the 2014 meeting (mentioned above) was “only to clarify wordage.”

Cullman officials refused my Jan. 31, 2025 records request for the Resolution. County Clerk Tiffany Merriman stated that no exception could be made to the County requirement to bring the form and driver’s license in person. Heather reiterrated that an in-person records request would be required to get a copy of the Resolution. A request submitted to the SO on the same date went unanswered.

After an attorney advised me that an in-person requirement is a violation of the Open Records Act, I sent a new records request on Apr. 7 stating such. I did not receive the records or a estimate of charges in the 10-day initial response period delineated by the law, so I followed up on Apr. 21, and was told that Heather turned over the records request to County Clerk Tiffany Merriman; both were out today and would return tomorrow. On Apr. 22, Tiffany refused the request, claiming that the refusal was “not a denial” but a requirement that I delivered in person even though Alabama’s Open Records Act states that the records holder “shall provide” the requested records so long as the requester is a state resident (which is demonstrated by the driver’s license photograph I provided and my registered 205-prefix land line).

I then called the shelter again, where a woman stated that adoption was done on Aug. 10, 1989 (as Heather had said, noted above) and that the Cullman Animal Control Director (Rodney Banister, 256-734-5448) would call with further information. I also emailed County Administrator John Bullard and Commission Chairman Jeff Clemons. On an Apr. 23 followup call to Rodney, I left another vm. On May 5, Sarah (?) took a message for Rodney. Rodney did call back on May 6, but I was out. On May 7, Rodney said the Commission adopted “all of Title 3” in 1989, but he did not have a copy of the Resolution, Minutes, or any other record. Rodney added that one of the ACOs is APOSTC-certified and that the plan is for all to be certified by the end of the year. Regarding enforcement of § 3-1-5, Rodney said enforcement usually begins with a resident’s report. An officer then goes to the scene. “Normally we give people warning,” Rodney said; “we don’t have to, but most of the time we educate first about the leash law.” If another report comes in the next week, Rodney explained, a citation is issued if the dog is off-premises during the officer’s visit. If the officer does not witness a violation, the resident has the option of going to the magistrate for a warrant, Rodney said.

On Apr. 28, I left a vm for County Administrator John Bullard (256-775-4925). He called back stating that he had not received my email, speculating that it may have gone to spam, and that request forms cannot be submitted via email due to cybersecurity. He said he would check with Tiffany and Heather to see if they had a copy of the request, and said he would call me, which he did, but I was on another call and his line went to vm when I called back. On May 1, Frances transferred me to Tiffany who refused again (while denying that it was a refusal) and said my attorney would need to contact the Cullman County attorney. John then called back said that his main concern was cybersecurity (which could easily be averted by having me mail the request or fill out a form on their website rather than emailing it directly), “and secondly to verify who we are getting it from is a real person” (since surely I faked an email address, spoofed a landline, and forged a DL so that I could research a dog law). He said the policy was installed after the 2024 update to the Act, that he trusts the County attorney that their policy is in compliance, and that he does not have the power to change the policy. Unlike every other county thus far, the only option Cullman County made available was an in-person request.

Dale County

Dale County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Robin Mitchell at the Commission office who said on an Apr. 1, 2025 call that she consulted with Mr. McKinnon and confirmed that the County has not adopted.

Other attempts: Mar. 28, 2025 call to the Commission; closed Fridays. I then called the SO, where the dispatcher did not know and said to call back Monday to ask a deputy. On Mar. 31, I requested to speak with a deputy but was instead told by a woman who would not identify her name or title that I needed to call the DA, where I was advised that they had not seen any cases regarding that law and did not know anything more. My next call was to the Commission, where the County Clerk doubted that it had been adopted and advised that I email Cheryl Ganey, County Administrator, and she also passed on my info for the Chairman of the Commission.

Dallas County

Dallas County officials state that Alabama Code § 3-1-5 has been adopted and is enforced, but were not able to locate record of adoption.

Demetrice Muhannad, payroll at the Commission, stated on a Mar. 31, 2025 phone call that the County had adopted. The Animal Control page states, “For animals roaming at large, the County follows the State of Alabama laws” (accessed Mar. 27, 2025). To try to find out the year, Demetrice referred me to Chief Hetfield (334-876-4833); I left a vm. I submitted a records request on Apr. 11, and followed up on Apr. 28 with the Commission after the 10-day initial response period had passed without a reply. I was transferred to a vm box and left a message.

On Apr. 29, I was transferred to Toya in the EMA (emergency management) department who is also the Commission secretary (334-874-2560). Toya said the County Administrator (where the original email went) did not forward the request to her. She had me forward the email to her and then said she would look for the documents and let me know by the end of the day. On Apr. 30, the friendly Cynthia transferred me to Toya’s extension, and I left a vm. Toya emailed soon after, stating “I was unable to locate any information on my computer regarding the Alabama code. It may have been adopted many years ago.”

Other attempts: When I called to ask the year on Mar. 27, neither Commission nor SO receptionists knew. SO transferred me to ACO David Johnston (334-431-0056, Fb); vm Mar. 27. On Mar. 31 I called the Commission again because the County website did not list a tel for AC (I found a tel later; as listed above). Demetrice tried the ACO on both his work and personal lines; both went to vm.

DeKalb County

DeKalb County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. I left a vm for Officer Jerry Fortner at the SO, Mar. 24, 2025, and did not hear back. On a Mar. 27 call to the Commission, the admin transferred me to Roger Byrd, who heads cruelty investigations for the county. Roger stated that the county had not adopted the statute. (The county appears to have no website.)

Elmore County

Elmore County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Information is from an article stating that the Commission adopted the law on Mar. 24, 2014, and can be verified on the County website: the Resolution is posted on the Dog Containment Law page. Bravo, Elmore County! I requested the Minutes to look for any additional context, but no discussion was mentioned.

Escambia County

Escambia County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Sharon Edwards, Commission office, on an Apr. 8, 2025 call. Sharon first said, “I don’t reallly know a way to find that out. I looked through some of my minutes and didn’t see it.” She then spoke with the AC and said that he confirmed that the County has requirements in the cities but not in the unincorporated area.

Previous attempts: Initial calls were on Mar. 27. The phone system disconnected instead of transferring to the County Administrator, and when I tried a different extension, it went straight to vm. So I emailed Ron Cink, County Administrator. I called again on Mar. 31 and went to another extension to ask to be transferred to the Commission, where I left a vm and learned that the direct line is 251-867-0208. On Apr. 3, I spoke with Sharon Edwards who said she would check with Ron and research the question. She noted my name and tel. On Apr. 5, the SO non-emergency line representative said that the County does have animal control and to call back M-F 8-4 to be transferred to him. On Apr. 7, the SO rep said I would instead need to call the shelter, 251-867-1346, where David answered and thought that the county does require dogs to be kept on their own property, but said I would need to call the SO. David also said that AC is under the SO, 251-809-0741x2. SO Dispatch then transferred to Maj. Berkett; vm.

Etowah County

Etowah County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Former ACO and former shelter manager Lori Howell confirmed adoption in the 1980s on a phone call in June 2024, then on Apr. 17, 2025, County Clerk Stephanie Franklin provided the Resolution.

Records request submitted Apr. 11, 2025 using the standard form in § 36-12-45, since there is no form posted on the County website. However, County Clerk Stephanie Franklin replied with a public records form and public records request procedure which I am including here to perhaps save someone a step.

Although the procedure states that requests must be submitted in person due to “cyber security and safety concerns”, Stephanie wrote in her email “Fill out and return to me at your earliest convenience,” so I emailed it back the same day. Stephanie’s Apr. 14 reply stated that it had to be mailed, so I did so on Apr. 15. On Apr. 17, Stephanie emailed the Minutes, which contained the Resolution. There is no further discussion of the statute in the Minutes, so Etowah’s motivation for adopting the law remain unknown.

Fayette County

Fayette County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Sources are ACO Phil Holiman and Judge Freeman, as described below.

On a Mar. 27, 2025 call, the Commission admin did not know and transferred me to the office of Commission Chairman & Probate Judge Freeman; admin took a message for him to call me. I called again on Mar. 31 and spoke with Chairman Freeman, who said he is looking into it and for me to call him again later this week. On Apr. 3 he was in a meeting and the receptionist spoke to his assistant Jessica, who said to call back in the morning; on the morning of Apr. 4, Jessica said he was not in the office and that he has my tel and will call. On Apr. 5 I called the SO but they are closed on weekends. On Apr. 8, receptionist took another msg. For Chairman/Judge Freeman (205-932-4519). I then tried the SO again, where Tiffany said that the county did have an ACO, Phil Holiman, 205-932-7387, who that the county had not adopted the statute. Judge Freeman also called back on Apr. 8; he had found no resolution and also spoke with the long-time county attorney, who said there was conversation about the statute “in past years, long time ago,” but it had not been adopted. (The county appears to have no website.)

Franklin County

Franklin County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Jessica, administrator at the Commission office, on a Mar. 27, 2025 phone call. See also the discussion at the end of the Colbert County notes.

Geneva County

Geneva County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Cindy Williams, administrator at the Commission office, on a Mar. 27, 2025 phone call.

Greene County

Greene County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Brenda Burke, Commission administrator, who confirmed on an Apr. 7, 2025 phone call that the County had not adopted the statute.

Previous attempts: On Mar 27, 2025, a Commission representative stated that the county has no pound and no AC. She did not know whether the statute had been adopted, and transferred me to the Commission office vm for Rhonda French. I also sent an email through the CC website. On Mar. 31, I called Brenda Burke, administrator, left a vm. I then tried Allen Turner, Co-Chair of the Commission, left a vm. On Apr. 4, I left a second vm for Brenda. I then called again and was able to get through to accounts payable (Rhonda, according to the website), who said that Brenda had received the message and was researching, and asked me to call back Monday, which led to the confirmation noted above.

Hale County

Hale County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is the Commission admin, via a Mar. 27, 2025 phone call. She also stated that everyone in the area had loose dogs.

Henry County

Henry County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is County Administrator Dawn Shirley on a Mar. 27, 2025 phone call.

Houston County

Houston County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Research began Mar. 26, 2025 with a vm left for Jackie Culpepper, Commission assistant. (Commission tel went straight to vm.) I called again on Apr. 1 and was able to talk to Jackie, who said the law has not been adopted, but she was not sure and thought she might research it herself even though it “could take weeks” because “things have not been scanned.” She said that dogs run everywhere in the county.

My next calls were to the SO (vm) and shelter. The shelter staffer did not know and provided the tel for what she said was Animal Control, 334-678-2810, where a man said definitively that the county had no leash law. He would not provide his name as a source but did offer his title of Rabies Control Officer (which I learned on Apr. 25 is Houston County's name for AC; the two officers are employed by the Commission). I emailed Jackie to let her know that the county has not adopted, per the officer.

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama publication Comparative Data on Alabama Counties, Part I (PDF) states that Houston County had adopted; no citation is provided for that inforation.

Jackson County

Jackson County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Shree at the Commission on Mar. 26, 2025: “As far as anybody here knows the county doesn’t have anything yet.”

Jefferson County

Jefferson County is indicated with an asterisk because while Jefferson County has no record of having adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, County officials state that they enforce at-large violations:

• A 2011 Fb post by the SO described enforcement of § 3-1-5. Perhaps notably, the post does not state that Jefferson County adopted the statute; it states merely that “Alabama has a law.”
• On an Apr. 16, 2025 call to Animal Care & Control, which mentions a Jefferson County contract on their website, Amanda stated that Jefferson has a county-wide “leash law” and that enforcing that law is a primary responsibility of ACC. She said officers do not have citation authority, but they can and do pick up animals, whether or not the animal is wearing a rabies tag.
• On an Apr. 16 call to the SO, Operator 119 said she consulted with a sergeant who said questions related to the statute must go through an attorney; the SO “can not give legal advice.”

On Mar. 29, 2025, I submitted a records request for Minutes and the Resolution by which the statute was adopted, if applicable. On Apr. 14, Jefferson County closed the request, stating, “We have searched our system and do not see where the County adopted it.”

Lamar County

Lamar County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. SO rep did not know and asked me to call the sheriff tomorrow at 205-695-7470, or to call the Commission. Suzanne at the Commission office stated that the statute has not been adopted. All calls were Mar. 26, 2025.

Lauderdale County

Lauderdale County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in 2004 via Resolution. Thanks to Cheryl Jones, Florence-Lauderdale director of animal control, for providing the document on May 6, 2025.

Other contacts: I submitted a records request on Apr. 14 and followed up on Apr. 28 when there was no response within the 10-day period; County Administrator Brooke Nichols-Slatton (256-760-5750 x7) had me email her the request since the person whose email it had gone to had retired. On Apr. 30, the line just rang. On May 1, LeGina transferred me to Brooke; the line rang and then disconnected; on a return call LeGina took a message for Brooke and said she would be in today. On a May 2 call, Brooke said she has not had time to start looking for it (sounded like the records are on paper). On May 15, Brooke emailed: “I have searched the minutes and files. The Lauderdale County Commission has not adopted a leash law, dogs running at large, or anything in comparison to Ala. Code § 3-1-5.” I replied with a link to the Resolution and to the full state research, and regrets for not having followed up with Brooke upon receiving the record from Cheryl.

Lawrence County

Lawrence County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in July 2024. Commissioner Amard Martin motioned in June 2024 that the county adopt the statute following a fatal attack on an 83-year-old man. No commissioner voted to second, according to a Moulton Advertiser article. A vote was scheduled for the July meeting, according to an article which inaccurately described the law as pertaining to dangerous dogs. The next month, commissioners voted unanimously to adopt and hired an ACO who is also involved with shelter operations, according to an Aug. 2024 article. Lawrence County Commission Minutes document the ACO position approval and both adoption votes; no details or discussion is included.

Resolution requested via email Mar. 24, 2025. On Mar. 31, I called the Commission (256-974-0663 x1) to check receipt of the request; left vm for Heather Dyar Rose and emailed also. Later that day Heather sent what is referred to as an Ordinance to adopt the statute, and interestingly, the text states that the Ordinance does not apply within the limits of any municipality, which is not exactly what the statute says. I requested Minutes for June and July 2024 on Apr. 11, 2025, and followed up Apr. 28 with a vm. On Apr. 29 and May 1, Heather’s line again went straight to vm. On May 1, I dialed the extension (2) for Michelle Graham, accountant, who took a message for Heather. Heather then sent the Minutes in which adoption (and also the hiring of an ACO) were discussed. This 4-page PDF includes the Ordinance and the relevant sections from three different Minutes.

On Apr. 29, I spoke with Anthony Wilbanks, ACO and director at Lawrence County Animal Shelter (256-974-2514), as part of the County sheltering and AC research. Enforcement in Lawrence County is done by ACOs Anthony and Tommy (I am unclear if the weekend shelter worker also has AC duties). Upon a report or witnessing of an at-large dog, Anthony warns on the first occasion and summons if it happens again. (Lawrence County ACOs are not APOSTC-certified, so they cannot cite, he said.) He does take a picture for evidence and testifies in court. He said he has 27 cases currenty in the system, which from what I can tell, means Lawrence County is enforcing the statute far more often than any other county, to which Anthony replied that he figures that if they have the law, it might as well be enforced. Anthony was friendly and glad to provide information.

Lee County

Lee County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. County Animal Control Q&A page (accessible via the menu at top left) states “the county has a confinement law” and quotes the statute (accessed Mar. 18, 2025). Source for the year and the Resolution is Lisa Wimberley, Chief Animal Control Officer at Lee County Animal Control.

On a Mar. 26, 2025 call to ask the year of adoption, the Commission admin transferred to Circuit Clerk where the representative earnestly tried to help, even calling the SO who didn’t know either; I then left a vm for AC. On Mar. 28 called the Commission again and was transferred to the friendly Wendy, who took my tel for any information she can find and then transferred me to AC.

On that Mar. 28 call with AC, Terrell answered and stated that the statute had been adopted, then Lisa Wimberley, Chief Animal Control Officer at Lee County Animal Control, picked up the line and was wonderfully informed and informative. We also spoke about enforcement procedure. Lisa related that since Lee County AC is under the Environmental Services department rather than the SO, ACOs cannot cite (though they have tried to find a way to have the authority to issue citations). If the ACO does witness a violation, they can sign a warrant and the SO prepares an Incident Report. However, “nine times out of ten” the ACO does not see the dog or the dog is back on the owner’s property, in which case it is up to the citizen to sign a warrant at the magistrates’ office. AC is then subpoenaed to bring in records, such as of the resident calling 15 times about the neighbor’s loose dog. Lisa also mentioned the Sept. SACA conference and recommended ACOs in other counties (or specifically, Blount, since we were comparing procedures) attend. On Mar. 31, ACO Chris also called (he was unaware I had spoken to Lisa), and we had a brief conversation about Lee ACOs not having enforcement authority, which he said is fine in some circumstances and in other times necessitates escalation to LEOs.

Limestone County

Limestone County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is the adoption resolution on the County website; however the page does not include a date. On a Mar. 18, 2025 phone call, Archivists April Davis and Allen located the Resolution on page 16 of the 1994-1995 Resolutions book which can also be accessed online: go to the Archives website, click the link under Online Documents, select County Commission Minutes, leave the form blank and press Search, click Open for 1994-1995, and go to page 16. There is essentially no related discussion recorded in the minutes (page 15–16). April and Allen went above and beyond in immediately searching for the document, which April said they did by querying the archives for “dog resolution” and then checking each of the results for relevance (I also checked out of curiosity about other dog topics, but none of the other results appeared to relate to dogs), and also showing me how to navigate to it in the archives system. I applaud the archivists and Limestone County for having thorough digitalized records and making them freely available to the public.

Lowndes County

Lowndes County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5; however, Sheriff’s Office representatives stated that they enforce at-large violations. The County is indicated with an asterisk because although the statute is apparently being enforced, a citation or summons is likely to be dismissed if challenged on the basis of no record of adoption by the Commission.

Lt. Marvin at the SO stated that the statute had been adopted and that the SO enforces it:

• Research began on Mar. 26, 2025 with Sgt./Lt. Marvin at the SO who said that the SO has prosecuted people on 3-1-5, and that he was “almost 100% positive” that it has been adopted by the CC. Lt. Marvin also stated that the county has no animal control.
• After several conversations with County government officials, I called the SO once more, where I was transferred to Sgt./Lt. Marvin also on Mar. 28. He remained certain that the county has adopted and that cases have not been thrown out, however he did not know when it was adopted and did not have a copy of a Resolution. In explaining the lack of accessible records, he said that Commission minutes are still handwritten.

Commission sources believed that the County had not adopted:

• On Mar. 26, Jacqueline (Jackie) Thomas, Commission admin, said she did not believe they had adopted that law. She asked me to call back Mar. 28, at which time she conferenced with the attorney, Prince Chestnut, who did not know about the statute. He and Jacqueline then suggested I check with District Judge Adrian Johnson, where I spoke with Judicial Assistant Christine Scott, who said she will try to find out but that I should contact the Circuit Clerk, Stephanie Jones.
• After the several intervening calls, I circled back with Jackie, who said she would not be able to look anytime for the next three months since she was working on an audit, and said I could come in to review the Commission minutes.

When Circuit Clerk Stephanie Jones said that the Commission would be the source of the information (of whether the CC had adopted), I asked how she would determine, if a resident was cited of 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 with Stephanie 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.

Macon County

Macon County has been enforcing Alabama Code § 3-1-5, but no record of adoption has been found, according to Compliance Office officials.

Research began Mar. 26, 2025 with the SO where a feisty representative said I would need to call Mr. Browny tomorrow, or call AC at 334-724-2554. I left a vm for the ACO (turned out to be Jabari Ware at the Compliance Office). On Mar. 27 I was transfered to “jail administrator” when I asked for Mr. Browny, and left a vm. On Mar. 28 I left a vm for County Administrator Joshua Anthony. Then I called the SO again, where my call transferred to and answered by Mr. Browny, who did not know and said he would call me back.

On Mar. 31, I received a call from Josetta Stewart, office manager at the Compliance Office (334-724-2554) who said yes, the statute was adopted, she will call me back re year and to get more information such as printed materials used in enforcement by the Compliance Office. We also corresponded via email and a second call in which she said she was looking for the Resolution and the materials or paperwork used in the enforcement of the statute. I followed up by tel on Apr. 17 and again Apr. 23, and also emailed on Apr. 23. On Apr. 24, I spoke to Josetta, who said she was still waiting to receive the documents and had forgotten; she said she’d check on that and asked that I “give [her] another day.” On Monday, Apr. 28, I left a vm for Josetta. On Apr. 29, I received an email from Josetta in which she wrote, “I thought we had adopted this law but as of now I cannot find it. I will keep looking and ask some questions about whether it has been done or not. I will get back to you as soon as I can.”

When speaking to Josetta on May 5 as part of the sheltering & AC research, Josetta said that she spoke to a superior who said that the County is “governed by all of the state [animal] laws” and required to enforce all [e.g., including § 3-1-5]. I mentioned that § 3-1-5 was an exception in that it had to be adopted by the Commission to be applicable; she said she remembered seeing that in the information I had sent her.

Madison County

Madison County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Madison County adopted the statute via a Resolution which is posted on the County website’s Animal Control page.

Marengo County

Marengo County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Research began on Mar. 26, 2025. The SO receptionist did not know and referred me to Shannon, County Administrator at the Commission office, who asked me to call back the next day to give her time to research. On Mar. 27, Shannon asked me to call back on Monday, Mar. 31; I left a vm. On Apr. 4, Shannon said that she had not been able to find any record and that she believes Marengo County has not adopted the statute.

Marion County

It is unclear whether Marion County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. County Administrator Scott Hunt initially said the Commission had adopted, but in seven weeks of calls and an Apr. 11, 2025 records request, Scott did not provide records or a year of adoption. Charlotte Williams, who is everything animals in Marion County (solo operator of Marion-Winston Animal Shelter, 205-487-2581) stated on a May 15 call that she believed Marion County had not adopted.

Research began Mar. 26 with a call to the SO (205-921-2101), where a dispatcher referred me to Shelly, administrative assistant. Shelly did not know and referred me to the Commission (205-921-3172 x6); I left a vm. I called again Mar. 28 and spoke with Scott Hunt, county administrator (and also an attorney), who said the county has adopted the statute. He did not know the year, so he took my tel to call back with that information.

On Apr. 11, 2025, I submitted a records request for the adoption document(s). On Apr. 28, after the 10 business day initial response period had passed without communication from the County, I called to follow up, but the line only rang. On Apr. 29 at 8:50, the line just rang again. Two hours later, I spoke to Lori, who said Scott will call when he is free. On Apr. 30, I left a vm. On May 1, Scott said he would look for the records and would call me back today. On a May 5 call, Lori talked to Scott, who said he will email me the records. On May 7, Lori said she did give him the message, and said he had gone to a conference and would return Friday, May 9. On that day, Scott had not returned and Lori suggested calling on Monday. On several calls to the Commission on the morning of May 12, there was no answer and no vm option; I sent an email to Scott. On May 13, Scott was on a call so Lori took a msg for him. On May 15, there was no answer at the Commission.

As noted above, Charlotte Williams at the shelter said on May 15 that Marion County has not adopted, to her knowledge. Whether it has or not, Charlotte believed that the statute is not being enforced (Marion County has no ACO), and confirmed that she has had the same diffficulty in reaching or hearing back from Scott Hunt. (Adoption of § 3-1-5 is still important in counties without AC, and enforcement is still possible via citizen complaint.)

Marshall County

Marshall County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in 2008 via Resolution, as provided by Administrator Ashleigh Bubbett on Apr. 21, 2025. Other sources for the statute’s adoption are Marshall County Animal Control and Marshall County Animal Watch.

Year research began Mar. 26, 2025 with Rhonda McCoy in the Commission office, who said a records request to rmccoy@marshallco.org would be necessary; alternatively she provided AC tel, 256-582-4744. I left a vm for AC on Mar. 26; another on Mar. 28. Records request emailed Mar. 28. On Apr. 1, Rhonda emailed, “As I told you on the phone, Marshall County adopted the Open Records Act which included the provision that we do not accept open record requests via email.” This claim appears to be doubly false, as the Alabama Open Records Law does not invalidate emailed requests, and Rhonda provided her email address verbally for the explicit purpose of emailing the request (she did not email the form to me; she directed me to it on the County website over the phone). I replied to the email asking for her to point to where the act states that email requests are invalid, and requested that she let me know the year that the statute was adopted, if it was not possible to fulfill the request.

After speaking with an attorney, I sent a new request on Apr. 7 challenging the in-person requirement as a violation of the Open Records Law. On Apr. 8, Rhonda replied that she forwarded the records request to the Administrator. As I did not receive the records or a estimate of charges in the 10-day response period, on Apr. 21, I spoke with Administrator Ashleigh Bubbett, who confirmed she did have the request and said she or Rhonda would email me an estimate, for which I could mail a check. On the same day, Ashleigh emailed a PDF of the July 14, 2008 Minutes which included the Resolution to adopt § 3-1-5 as well as another resolution regarding cruelty. The timing may have been related to the hiring of Kevin Hooks as ACO in Feb. 2008. Nothing further was mentioned of an in-person records request policy.

Mobile County

Mobile County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in 2018. Mobile County announced the adoption on the county website. The county began issuing citations a year later once officers were deputized by the sheriff to give them authority to cite. See also the Minutes from the Commission meeting at which the statute was adopted, at the encouragement of Public Services Director Douglas Hathcock and County Humane Officer Carmelo Miranda in addition to the several other residents and officials who spoke.

Monroe County

Monroe County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Research began Mar. 26, 2025: SO representative did not know. On a call to the Commission, the receptionist transferred the call and it disconnected; I called back and same thing happened. I tried again Mar. 28 and was transferred to Missy in the Commission office who stated that the Commission has not adopted the statute.

Montgomery County

Montgomery County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. The 2004 Resolution was provided by Commission Executive Assistant Tammy Nix. Confirmation was also provided by Steve Tears, the director of Montgomery Humane Society, on an Apr. 28, 2025 call.

Research began Mar. 26, 2025 with an email to Ken Ward, Public Affairs (bouced) and a vm for Capt. Whitmore at the SO (did not hear back). On Mar. 28 I spoke with Kindell Anderson, County Administrator (334-832-1212), who did not know and asked me to email him and also County Attorney Michael Armistead; Kindell (pronounced as Kindle) said I could expect to hear back early next week. I left a vm on Apr. 3. On Apr. 5, I called Montgomery Humane Society where the representative answered affirmatively that residents of the unincorporated area must keep their dogs on their own property or on a leash. She did not know an adoption year. When asked to note her name as a source for that information she offered “DHO Animal Services.”

I submitted a records request (Confirmation 8FB9B4E7) on Apr. 11 via the County’s online portal. After the 10-day initial response allowance had passed without any communication from the County, I called on Apr. 28 and spoke with Tammy Nix, executive assistant at the Commission who stated that due to the new law [Open Records Act 2024 amendments], “records requests can't be submitted electronically” and she had been trying to get the software company to remove the online request system. Tammy said that the county attorney was supposed to have replied to my request with the new Montgomery County records request form (the original is a docx; here is a PDF); however his last day was Friday. Tammy said I would have to resubmit — in person, no exceptions. When I stated that an in-person requirement is in violation of the Act, Tammy acknowledged that she was “just following policy.” A few minutes later, she called back apologetically and stated that she agreed about the issues I had brought up regarding an in-person requirement and would look into getting the policy changed (though that may have to wait until there is a new county attorney). Tammy has earned my respect and commendation for thinking for herself and going to bat for what she believes. Her call felt like a miracle and I cannot praise her enough for her integrity. I mentioned attorney J. Evans Bailey and emailed his memo regarding the Open Records Act.

Tammy said she believed that the county has no confinement requirement but was curious to find out for herself also, stating that she would begin research and asking that I mail her a records request to make it official, which I did the same day. She mentioned that the County had tried to obtain Home Rule (to allow the County more flexibility in animal control, presumably among other reasons) but residents voted against it. Later the same day (Apr. 28), I spoke with the knowledgeable Steve Tears, HS director, who said that the County adopted about 25 years ago, and passed that info on to Tammy. Just an hour later, Tammy provided the Resolution.

Steve also spoke openly about enforcement of the statute. Citing is rare, he said, because all misdemeanors must be witnessed by an officer in order to cite. He offered the parallel example of a citizen reporting a speeding car: unless an officer witnesses, there is no citation; residents can bring their evidence to the magistrate. If a dog has no rabies tag, ACOs can impound.

Morgan County

Morgan County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. The adoption was done in 1990 via Resolution, as provided by Julie Reeves, chief administrative officer of the County Commission on Apr. 21, 2025. Other sources include a Feb. 2023 Facebook post by the SO (or jpg format) and a 2024 31 WAAY article.

Records request submitted Apr. 11, 2025 using the standard form in § 36-12-45, since there is no form posted on the County website. However, Archivist John Allison replied on Apr. 14 with a public records form and public records request procedure which I am including here to perhaps save someone a step in the future. Why are counties making their employees and the public jump through hoops, rather than simply posting their forms and procedures on their websites? I prepared the request again, this time on the form. Since the in-person procedural requirement is in violation of the state Open Records Law, I included the lawyer’s language when re-submitting the request on Apr. 14. On Apr. 21, the Resolution was provided via email, as stated above.

Perry County

Perry County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Sgt. Mike Kiser in the SO, who stated in a Mar. 26, 2025 phone call that the county has a significant problem with loose and stray dogs, but they are in a bind because they have no animal control officer. A new sheriff is starting soon and intends to ask the Commission to adopt the statute.

Pickens County

Pickens County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. SO representative did not know; Jennifer at the Commission office stated that the statute had not been adopted, Mar. 26, 2025.

During the shelter research, I had the pleasure of speaking to Bridget Crepps, office admin at Extension (which seems to collaborate closely with the Commission in Pickens County, e.g., calls to the Commission are answered by Extension staff). Bridget stated that loose dogs are a big problem, and I was delighted that she was interested in receiving the Dogs-at-Large Guide for Counties & Municipalities, which I emailed on Apr. 28.

Pike County

Pike County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Dep. Williams at the SO on a Mar. 26, 2025 phone call.

Randolph County

Randolph County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Clerk David Brooks at the SO on a Mar. 25, 2025 phone call. I also learned, from a Mar. 25 email from April Smith, director of operations at Randolph County Animal Shelter, that the County has no animal control. The shelter is a contracted nonprofit, according to the FAQ.

Russell County

Russell County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Sources: SO website; Apr. 2024 article regarding a dog attack; and a Mar. 26, 2025 conversation with Heidi Buhr at the Commission office (334-298-6426) , in which she stated that Commissioner Chance Corbett remembered that Sheriff Boswell asked the Commission to adopt the statute in the 1990s. Heidi will search for the Resolution and will email it if she can find it; in which case I will link it here.

I spoke with the friendly Heidi again on Apr. 18 to ask whether any records had been found. She had looked and talked to the County Administrator and others, but had not been able to locate a Resolution or other documentation about the statute, and said they would keep looking. I offered to submit a records request; Heidi said to email her one (based on the Open Records Law’s template; the County does not have a form) so she can put it with her other notes related to this question. On the same day, I submitted the request for the Minutes, the Sheriff’s request to the Commission (if not included in the Minutes), and the Resolution, if the statute was adopted via Resolution. On a May 1 followup, a representative said that Heidi is out of the office until Monday.

On May 5, Heidi emailed, “We are looking at passing a resolution at our June 11th meeting. I will keep you posted for sure.”

St. Clair County

St. Clair County officials expressed confusion about Alabama Code § 3-1-5. The County ACO believed the statute to be applicable, the Commission’s deputy administrator did not know about the statute or have a way of checking for previous adoption, and the staff member who replied to the records request did not understand that the statute was applicable only if adopted:

• Latest word was from an unsigned May 13, 2025 email from info@stclairco.com stating, “The county never adopted this because it is a State law and we must enforce State law we have no need to adopt it.” (I replied to offer the second paragraph of the statute and my contact info, should the County wish to clarify the situation there.) The email from St. Clair County was in reply to my Apr. 11, 2025 records request for the adoption document(s).
• On Apr. 30, Jeanie transferred me to Susie Washburn, deputy administrator. Susie did not know anything about the statute or why Kendra said it was adopted in 1975. We speculated that it might have been a misunderstanding since state laws are often listed as Code of Alabama 1975. If the Commission did adopt in 1975, the “records are upstairs in our attic and they are paper,” and we agreed that it would not be worth anyone’s time or the expense of days of searching. Susie said loose dogs are a big problem and we talked about how the law is usually enforced and the option available to the Commission to simply adopt now to formalize, whether or not the statute was adopted previously. She said she would look around and call me back. (205-594-2100 x7)
• The County adopted in 1975, per Kendra at the Commission office who also consulted with animal control (Josh), in phone calls in June 2024.

Additional calls: On two Apr. 28 followup attempts, no one answered at the Commission and there was no vm option. On Apr. 29, Trisha at the Commission transferred me to Corey Phillips, asst. deputy administrator; I left a vm.

Shelby County

Shelby County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Information was obtained via a Feb. 6, 2025 records request for the AC policy and Resolution 90-8-27-15. In response to a report of a violation, the County mails a letter to the possible dog owner; complainants may then press charges. See also Animal Control and Cynthia Gould 2016 coverage.

Sumter County

Sumter County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Kameka, dispatcher at the SO, on a Mar. 25, 2025 phone call. Kameka said the county does not have a “dogcatcher” either.

Talladega County

Talladega County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. The SO representative did not know and referred me to Talladega AC, 256-362-5856, where I learned that this private company still does AC for the city but has not had the county contract since Aug. 2024, and at that time the county had not adopted the statute. Final confirmation that the statute had not been adopted came from Jennifer Lacey at the Commission office. All three calls were Mar. 25, 2025.

Tallapoosa County

Tallapoosa County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. The County had not adopted the law as of 2014, according to two articles, and still has not (although it has been considered), according to Lt. Arrington at the SO, on a Mar. 25, 2025 phone call.

During shelter research, I spoke with Embirly Collum, Chief Probate Clerk at the Commission (256-825-4268), on Apr. 29, 2025. Embirly said that the Commission has been “trying to do something” to improve the AC situation for 1.5–2 years. Adoption of the statute has been a focus of that effort, Embirly said; however, the Commission is concerned about doing so do to beliefs that most residents oppose adoption and that more funding would be necessary for the shelter and to establish AC. She provided County Administrator Blake Beck’s email address, to which I sent the Guide for Counties & Municipalities.

Tuscaloosa County

Tuscaloosa County has adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. County Animal Control states on their website that they enforce the statute; Cynthia Gould coverage from 2016 also stated that the county had adopted; a WVUA 23 article confirms also. Year source is Amanda, secretary at the Commission office, Mar. 25, 2025.

While searching for a records request form, I saw that Tuscaloosa County makes available prior year Minutes, and the oldest such year is 2003. I first found two meetings at which Commissioner Gary Youngblood had motioned to adopt the statute; the motion failed for lack of a second on Apr. 2, 2003, and due to a tie vote on Apr. 16, 2003. Then on June 4, 2003, the Commission voted unanimously to adopt and also to “include a detailed plan in the County’s 2003–2004 budget to address animal control in Tuscaloosa County.” None of the Minutes include any context as to how the subject came up.

Walker County

Walker County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Information was provided by Robin at the Commission office on an Aug. 2024 phone call.

Washington County

Washington County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. The Commission met Mar. 24, 2025 to discuss setting up animal control and adopting the statute, Commisioner Allen Bailey told me on a call that day. He also spoke about his concerns regarding the large number of loose dogs in the county and the lack of animal control, and I sent information.

Wilcox County

Wilcox County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is Patrick Champion at the SO, Mar. 24, 2025.

Winston County

Winston County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is a woman at the SO, Mar. 24, 2025. (The county appears to have no website.)