Alabama House Bill 149 seeks to require certain methods be used for tethering or providing outdoor confinement for a dog, with exceptions for dog sports and other legal activities. HB149 will be heard by the Alabama House Agriculture and Forestry Committee tomorrow, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 3PM. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is urging lawmakers to amend HB149 to add a tethering exception for owners while grooming their dogs or performing other temporary animal husbandry practices at home. Alabama dog owners are encouraged to contact the committee members to request such an amendment. (See contact information below.)
SUMMARY OF HB149
This bill, called the Alabama Dog Tethering and Outdoor Shelter Act, seeks to prohibit the chaining or tethering of a dog to a stationary object, or otherwise confining a dog, unless certain conditions are met.
- For dogs to be confined within some type of enclosure, each enclosure must have adequate space for exercise (depending upon the age, size, breed, and weight of the dog); and shall be constructed with chain link or other sturdy material, with all four sides enclosed and be of a height sufficient to confine the dog.
- Owners of dogs kept in yards must ensure the yard is fully fenced or otherwise securely enclosed. Electronic fencing is acceptable.
- To humanely tether a dog, multiple requirements must be met, including ensuring a dog-specific tether is used, that a tether does not weigh more than one-eights of a dog’s body weight, and the trolly system is safe and does not allow the dog to leave the owner’s property. Tethers must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness, and other requirements must be met.
- Exhibitions, trials, shows, contests, or other temporary events in which skill, breeding, or stamina of a dog is judged or examined are exempted from the tethering requirements; as are dogs used or being trained for lawful hunting; licensed grooming shops or facilities while a dog is being groomed; and during emergency circumstances.
- Additionally, dogs engaged in shepherding or herding livestock or cultivating animal products are not subject to the outdoor confinement limitations and requirements provided in the bill; and the bill specifically provides that the bill does not prohibit a person from walking a dog on a handheld leash.
AKC’S POSITION ON HB149
Dog owners bear a special responsibility to their canine companions to provide proper care and humane treatment at all times. Proper care and humane treatment include an adequate and nutritious diet, clean water, safe and clean living and travel conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and responsive human companionship, and training in appropriate behavior. The American Kennel Club® believes that dogs should not be kept in circumstances or numbers where these needs cannot be adequately fulfilled.
Additionally, legislation seeking to protect dogs should consider the complexities of dogs’ individual breeds, needs, and capabilities, and provide sufficient flexibility to recognize variations in appropriate care requirements while prohibiting situations that put an individual dog’s health and safety at risk. This way, all dogs can be protected against dangerous situations while still being able to participate in appropriate training and outdoor activities they were bred to do.
Because of the extensive list of specific exemptions provided in the bill, AKC is urging lawmakers to amend the measure to include an explicit exception for owners who temporarily tether their dog while grooming or performing other temporary animal husbandry practices at home.
Click here to learn more about Dogs Outdoors/Tethering.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Alabama dog owners are encouraged to contact the members of the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee to share their thoughts on HB149, and encourage inclusion of an amendment that provides an exception to the tethering requirements for owners who groom their dogs or perform other temporary animal husbandry practices at home.
Rep. Danny Crawford, Chair – Danny.F.Crawford@gmail.com, (334) 261-0516
Rep. Steve Hurst, Vice Chair – repstevehurst98@gmail.com, (334) 261-0415
Rep. Ron Bolton – ronaldbolton1@gmail.com, (334) 242-7600
Rep. Napoleon Bracy – napoleon@napoleonbracy.com, (334) 261-0556
Rep. Brett Easterbrook – brett.easterbrook@yahoo.com, (334) 261-0402
Rep. Jennifer Fidler – jennifer.fidler@alhouse.gov, (334) 242-7600
Rep. Bob Fincher – rsfincher77@gmail.com, (334) 261-0538
Rep. Matthew Hammett – matthew.hammett@alhouse.gov, (334) 242-7600
Rep. Reed Ingram – reedingram75@gmail.com, (334) 261-0507
Rep. Thomas Jackson – jthomase68@gmail.com, (334) 261-0437
Rep. Artis ‘A.J.’ McCampbell – acmc1@bellsouth.net, (334) 261-0547
Rep. Ed Oliver – ed.oliver@alhouse.gov, (334) 261-0471
Rep. Ivan Smith – vansmith53@gmail.com, (334) 261-0459
Rep. David Standridge – david.standridge@alhouse.gov, (334) 261-0446
Rep. Curtis Travis – cltravis620@charter.net, (334) 242-7600
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.