Alabama § 3-6B-2 - Methods of Tethering or Confining Dogs.

§ 3-6B-2. Methods of Tethering or Confining Dogs.

(a)(1) A person may not tether a dog to a stationary object, including a tree, pole, stake, or structure, unless the dog is tethered via a trolley system in accordance with all of the following:

a. The tether is not unreasonably heavy in relation to the weight of the dog.

b. The tether does not allow the dog to leave the property of the owner or person responsible for the dog.

c. The tether is connected to only one dog.

d. The tether is attached to a properly fitted collar or harness worn by the dog.

e. The tether has a swivel on both ends to minimize tangling.

f. The tether allows the dog continuous access at all times to adequate food, adequate water, and shelter as described in Section 3-6B-3.

g. The tether does not extend over an object or edge that could result in injury or strangulation of the dog.

h. The tether is situated in a manner to prevent entanglement with other objects or animals.

(2) A logging chain, choke collar, or pinch collar may not be used to tether a dog.

(b) A person may not restrain or restrict a dog’s movement by confining the dog within an enclosure unless in accordance with all of the following:

(1) The enclosure is secure, fully fenced, and has adequate space for the dog to freely move around.

(2) The dog has continuous access at all times to adequate food, adequate water, and shelter as described in Section 3-6B-3.

(3) The enclosure does not allow the dog to leave the property of the owner or person responsible for the dog.

(c) Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to any of the following:

(1) A licensed veterinary practice that tethers or confines a dog in the course of its practice.

(2) A boarding kennel or public or private animal shelter with secure enclosures for the temporary boarding or housing of dogs.

(3) An exhibition, trial, show, contest, or other temporary event in which skill, breeding, or stamina of a dog is judged or examined.

(4) A dog that is used for obedience purposes or receives training in a lawful manner to hunt or retrieve wildlife.

(5) A service or assistance dog.

(6) A licensed grooming shop or facility during the grooming of a dog.

(7) Any temporary circumstance during which tethering or confining a dog is necessary but not exceeding a reasonable amount of time with respect to the weather.

(8) An individual walking a dog on a leash.

(9) A commercial dog breeder licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture as a Class A dealer pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.