How to Report an At-Large Dog

Many Alabama counties and municipalities require residents to confine dogs to their own premises. If running at large is prohibited in your area, you may report a violation by following the steps below.

A Note About Applicability

Only under all of the following conditions is enforcement possible:

• Running at large is prohibited at the location by either a municipal ordinance and/or by the state confinement law. and
• The dog is owned, and
• The owner can be identified, such as a neighbor who allows his dog to run loose. (If the dog in question does not seem to belong to a neighbor, see this guide on helping lost, stray, or abandoned animals.)

Relatedly, if an owned dog harms chickens or livestock on your property, whether or not dog confinement is required in your area, you may seek reimbursement.

How to Report

1. Locate: Note the address at which the dog is running at large.
2. Learn whether the address is within municipal limits and determine which law(s) apply at the address.
3. Collect evidence: take photos and videos that clearly show the dog outside of the owner’s premises in violation of the law. Ensure that both the dog and surrounding landmarks can be identified.
4. Report: Call your county’s Dispatch or non-emergency phone number. If the violation is within municipal limits, mention that to the operator — or call the police department, town hall, or city hall directly. State that you would like to report a violation of the Dog(s)-at-Large law. You might mention the law you are reporting under, whether § 3-1-5 or an applicable municipal code.

To learn how your report may be addressed and what you can do if violations continue, see Enforcement. If no citation is issued and violations continue, you may bring your evidence directly to the court. Ask the court magistrate or clerk for guidance and read Complaints before continuing. This is the general process:

5. Follow up: Pick up the Incident Report from the agency to which you reported (sheriff’s office or the municipality’s police department). Ensure that the Incident Report is complete.
6. Press charges: Bring the Incident Report and your evidence to the appropriate courthouse (county or municipal) during magistrate hours to write a statement and speak with a magistrate. If there is sufficient cause to charge the dog owner, he will be summoned to court to have the opportunity to plead guilty or to contest.

Please note that procedures vary. The outline above aims to balance the depth necessary for usefulness with the breadth required for statewide applicability. If you find significant differences in your area, please let us know so that we can adjust these directions and, if needed, assist in figuring out your next steps. See the FAQ for additional information.