Alabama At-Large Laws by County

When Alabama Code § 3-1-5 Dogs at Large is adopted by a county commission, the statute is applicable in the county’s unincorporated area and in most municipalities.

See County Notes for citations and county details. The most recent adoption of the statute was in Walker County on Sept. 18, 2025.

Why Did Counties Adopt?

• Request of Law Enforcement: Baldwin, Chilton, Mobile
• Request of Residents: Blount, Mobile, Walker
• After an Attack: Lawrence, Walker
• Safety Concerns: Chilton, Limestone, Montgomery, Mobile, Shelby
• Property Damage: Elmore, Madison
• No Context Available or General (e.g., “in the best interest of the citizens”): Calhoun, Colbert, Etowah, Lauderdale, Lee, Marshall, Morgan, Tuscaloosa

§ 3-1-5 Adoption Documents

• Adoption by Resolution: Calhoun, Chilton, Elmore, Etowah, Lauderdale, Lee, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Montgomery, Morgan, Shelby, Walker
• Adoption by Ordinance: Lawrence
• Adoption in Minutes Only: Baldwin, Blount, Mobile, Tuscaloosa

Additional Resources

• Information for Counties & Municipalities: considerations for elected officials, animal control officers, law enforcement agencies, and citizens in counties which have not adopted the statute or need to re-adopt due to missing records.
• Animal Control & Pounds by County: map of which counties have a pound or shelter and at least one ACO, and details about each county.
• How to Report an At-Large Violation: step-by-step guide on documenting, reporting, and pressing charges.

(Population and square mileage data is from Wikipedia.)

Autauga County

See Animal Services in Autauga County.

Baldwin County

Baldwin County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in 1990 at the request of the SO.

The first indication I found was the final 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. The County also freely shares several documents and records related to the shelter and Animal Control. Bravo, Balwin County.

Baldwin County municipal dog confinement requirements:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Bay Minette (§ 4-26), Daphne (§ 4-4), Elberta (§ 6-20), Fairhope (§ 5-24), Foley (§ 3-3), Gulf Shores (§ 5-32), Orange Beach (§ 10-32), Robertsdale (§ 4-3).
• Dog confinement requirements unknown (ordinances are not published online): Loxley, Magnolia Springs, Perdido Beach, Silverhill, Spanish Fort, Summerdale. (It is likely that confinement is required in these municipalities, whether by statute and/or ordinance.)

Barbour County

See Animal Services in Barbour County.

Bibb County

See Animal Services in Bibb County.

Blount County

See Animal Services in Blount County.

Bullock County

Bullock County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Information is from Jeanie at Bullock County Humane Society, who on our Mar. 20, 2025 call spoke knowledgeably about Dogs at Large and other laws and described her proactive work for people and animals in Bullock County.

Butler County

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

Calhoun County

See Animal Services in Calhoun County.

Chambers County

Chambers County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to Lisa Wimberley, 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 clarify that she was not sure 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; I did not hear back from the attorney or anyone else from the county.

Cherokee County

See Animal Services in Cherokee County.

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. Page 2 is a letter from the Sheriff asking the Commission to adopt the statute; the Commission did so on the same day. Pages 2–4 are given to the dog owner by the ACO upon report of a violation. Also, the Chilton County Animal Shelter posted on Facebook on Mar. 19, 2025 about the statute’s 2024 adoption. Adoption was previously discussed at a 2015 meeting, according to a Clanton Observer article.

The documents 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 [APOSTC] 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 requests 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.

Chilton County municipal dog confinement requirements:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Calera (§ 3-23), Clanton (§ 4-30), Jemison (§ 4-14), Maplesville (#139 § 4b), Thorsby (§ 4-5).

Choctaw County

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

Clarke County

Clarke County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to Christy Roberts, county administrator, via email on Mar. 28, 2025. I had left a vm at the Commission tel and also sent an email to Christy, who replied right away that the Commission has not adopted.

Clay County

Clay County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to Linda Varner in the Commission office via a Mar. 28, 2025 phone call. Linda initially said she was “pretty much certain” that the statute has not been adopted, and said she would 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

Clay County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to Lisa Copeland, county administrator, on a Mar. 28, 2025 phone call.

Coffee County

Coffee County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to the Coffee Commission FAQ: “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

See Animal Services in Colbert County.

Conecuh County

Conecuh County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Source is a Commission admin who stated that the County does not have a requirement for residents to keep dogs on their property. She was definitive in her answer but refused to tell me her name or title 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 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 cruelty-related calls 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 tell 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

See Animal Services in Coosa County.

Covington County

Covington County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to Rachel Faust, admin assistant at the Commission, on a Mar. 31, 2025 phone call.

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 Karen Sowell, county administrator, and Rachel Faust, admin assistant. Upon follow-up on Mar. 31, Rachel said she had not received the email and stated that the county had not adopted the statute.

Crenshaw County

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

Cullman County

See Animal Services in Cullman County.

Dale County

Dale County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to Robin Mitchell, Commission clerk, who said on an Apr. 1, 2025 call that she consulted with Steve McKinnon, commission chairman, to confirm that the County has not adopted.

Other calls: 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 provide 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. I then called the Commission again, 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 stated 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, and again May 29). 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 acknowledgement deadline 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 (recipient of the original emailed records request) 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 calls: 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, according to Roger Byrd, who heads cruelty investigations for the county, on a Mar. 27, 2025 phone call.

Previously, I left a vm for Officer Jerry Fortner at the SO, Mar. 24, 2025, and did not hear back. (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 for the clear communication. On Apr. 11, I requested the Minutes to look for any context for the adoption, and Courtney Clements Lee, chief administrative officer, provided the documents on Apr. 14. The minutes did not include any discussion or other context for the adoption.

Elmore County municipal dog confinement requirements:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Millbrook (§ 10-4), Prattville (§ 10-41), Wetumpka (§ 10-33).
• Dog confinement requirements unknown (ordinances are not published online): Coosada, Deatsville, Eclectic, Elmore, Tallassee. (It is likely that confinement is required in these municipalities, whether by statute and/or ordinance.)

Escambia County

Escambia County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to 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 ACO and said that he confirmed that there are requirements in the cities but not in the unincorporated area.

Other calls: 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; I left a vm.

Etowah County

See Animal Services in Etowah County.

Fayette County

Fayette County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to ACO Phil Holiman, Commission Chairman/Probate Judge Freeman, and the county attorney, 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 (205-932-4519); an 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; they were closed on weekends. On Apr. 8, a receptionist took another msg for Chairman/Judge Freeman. 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

See Animal Services in Franklin County.

Geneva County

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

Greene County

Greene County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to Brenda Burke, Commission administrator, on an Apr. 7, 2025 phone call.

Other calls: 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 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, according to 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, according to County Administrator Dawn Shirley on a Mar. 27, 2025 phone call.

Houston County

Houston County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to a Rabies Control Officer at the shelter on a Mar. 26, 2025 call.

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 believed 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 information.

Jackson County

See Animal Services in Jackson County.

Jefferson County

See Animal Services in Jefferson County.

Lamar County

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

Lauderdale County

See Animal Services in Lauderdale County.

Lawrence County

See Animal Services in Lawrence County.

Lee County

Lee County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in 1979. Lisa Wimberley, Chief Animal Control Officer at Lee County Animal Control, provided the Resolution. The 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).

Previous calls: 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.

Lee County municipal dog confinement requirements:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Auburn (§ 4-16), Opelika (§ 4-43), Phenix City (§ 10-39).
• Dog confinement requirements unknown (ordinances are not published online): Loachapoka, Notasulga, Smiths Station, Waverly. (It is likely that confinement is required in these municipalities, whether by statute and/or ordinance.)

Limestone County

See Animal Services in Limestone County.

Lowndes County

Lowndes County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5; however, SO representatives stated that they enforce at-large violations. 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, county administrator, 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 would try to find out but that I should contact Circuit Clerk Stephanie Jones.
• After the several intervening calls, I spoke again to 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 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.

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

See Animal Services in Madison County.

Marengo County

Marengo County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to County Administrator Shannon Drake on an Apr. 4, 2025 phone call.

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

See Animal Services in Marion County.

Marshall County

See Animal Services in Marshall County.

Mobile County

See Animal Services in Mobile County.

Monroe County

Monroe County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to Missy in the Commission office on a Mar. 28, 2025 phone call.

Previous calls: On a Mar. 26 call to the SO, the 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 in 2004. Commission Executive Assistant Tammy Nix provided the Resolution. Steve Tears, director of Montgomery Humane Society, also confirmed adoption on an Apr. 28, 2025 call.

Research began Mar. 26, 2025 with an email to Ken Ward, Public Affairs (which bouced) and a vm for Capt. Whitmore at the SO (I 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.

Dog confinement is required in all of Montgomery County, it appears:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Montgomery (§ 4-13).
• Dog confinement is required by statute in the entire county, including the unincorporated area and in the two municipalities, Pike Road and Montgomery, since neither requires license tags. (Darrell Rigsby, Pike Road planning administrator, said in a June 26, 2025 call that to the best of his knowledge, the town has no dog-related ordinances.)

Morgan County

Morgan County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 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.

Morgan County municipal dog confinement requirements:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Decatur (§ 4-2 and 4-4), Falkville (§ 6-76), Hartselle (§ 10-133), Trinity (Ord. 89-3),
• Dog confinement requirements unknown (ordinances are not published online): Priceville, Somerville. (It is likely that confinement is required in these municipalities, whether by statute and/or ordinance.)

Perry County

Perry County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to 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 ACO. A new sheriff is starting soon and intends to ask the Commission to adopt the statute, Sgt. Kiser said.

Pickens County

Pickens County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to Jennifer at the Commission office on a Mar. 26, 2025 phone call. In a previous call to the SO, the representative did not know.

During the AC & pounds 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, according to Dep. Williams at the SO on a Mar. 26, 2025 phone call.

Randolph County

Randolph County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, according to David Brooks, clerk at the SO, on a Mar. 25, 2025 phone call.

Russell County

Russell County has been enforcing Alabama Code § 3-1-5 and officials believed that it had been adopted, However, no record of adoption was found and the Commission is considering adopting the statute, according to Heidi Buhr at the Commission office in a May 5, 2025 email.

Several sources stated that the statute was applicable in Russell County (though that is apparently untrue, as stated above):

• The SO website's Animal Control page states, “The ACO's ensure that laws involving the treatment and containment of animals are enforced” (accessed in March 2025 and again on May 18).
• An Apr. 2024 WTVM article regarding a dog attack stated, “In Russell County animals are not allowed to roam around at large. They must be on a leash at all times.”
• On a Mar. 26, 2025 conversation with Heidi Buhr, Commission Office Administrative Assistant (334-298-6426), Heidi stated that Commissioner Chance Corbett remembered that the Commission had adopted the statute at the request of Sheriff Boswell in the 1990s. (No record was found.)

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.” In a June 6 email exchange, Heidi wrote that the vote has been moved to June 25. On June 20, Heidi provided an update that “This will not be on next week’s meeting since it is still being discussed the proper actions to take. I will keep you posted as I hear more on it.” On Aug. 18, Heidi wrote: “I wanted to update you on this. Our attorney told us that the county does not have to adopt anything since it’s a state statue, so it doesn’t have to be passed through the county commission.” (Of course, I replied to offer the second paragraph of the statute.)

St. Clair County

See Animal Services in St. Clair County.

Shelby County

See Animal Services in Shelby County.

Sumter County

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

Talladega County

See Animal Services in Talladega County.

Tallapoosa County

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

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 due their impression 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.

On a Sept. 19 conversation, Embirly spoke of continuing efforts to improve animal services, including the ongoing intention to adopt the statute. See Pounds & AC notes for specifics from the conversation..

Tuscaloosa County

Tuscaloosa County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in 2003 in a unanimous vote.

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. Amanda, secretary at the Commission office, provided the year of adoption on a Mar. 25, 2025 call.

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.

Tuscaloosa County municipal dog confinement requirements:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Moundville (§ 6-102), Northport (§ 14-72), City of Tuscaloosa (§ 4-40).
• Dog confinement requirements unknown (ordinances are not published online): Brookwood, Coaling, Coker, Lakeview, Vance, Woodstock. (It is likely that confinement is required in these municipalities, whether by statute and/or ordinance.)

Walker County

See Animal Services in Walker County.

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 according to Patrick Champion at the SO, Mar. 24, 2025.

Winston County

See Animal Services in Winston County.