Alabama Dog Tethering Legislation Passed
By Digital News Team
Blue RAM Media
April 11, 2026
MONTGOMERY, Ala.
Alabama lawmakers voted Wednesday to approve a bill further forcing regulations and expanding government overreach.
SB 361 by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, will make it a crime to keep a dog tied or confined outside except under certain circumstances. The bill also grants broad authority to appointed investigators who are not required to be certified law enforcement officers.
The bill was passed in the House by a vote of 69 to 23 with nine abstentions April 8 despite strong bipartisan opposition.
Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, raised issues with the bill’s effect on private property rights.
“I’m just trying to see how this process is going to operate and work,” McCampbell said. “Because if you come on someone’s property and you actually start messing with their dogs, in the country, that’s grounds that something needs to happen to you. So how are we going to make sure this is understood out in a rural area and enforced in a rural area?”
Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said issues with this bill go beyond protection.
“This is another example of government stepping on private property rights and telling landowners what they must do,” Hardin said. “We support humane treatment of animals, and laws already on the books protect animals from cruel owners and abusers. This takes it a step further and opens the door for more government control.”
Several amendments were offered. Two by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, updated the language of the bill, providing some owner protections. Two tabled amendments, one by Rep. Jennifer Fidler, R-Fairhope, and the other by Rep. Van Smith, R-Billingsley, would have allowed governing authorities to opt into the rule instead of being forced to adhere and outlawed tethering specifically with log chains, respectively. An amendment by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, ensured no owner liability for unintentional injuries. Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, eventually withdrew his amendment requiring a warrant to remove a dog from a property after Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, and Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, argued against it.
The Senate concurred by a vote of 17 to 1 following House passage. Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, was the sole vote against with several voting “present.”
“The Federation thanks the members of the Legislature who studied this bill and understood dogs should be and can be protected from cruelty under existing law without taking a dangerous step to erode property rights of Alabamians,” Hardin said. “In addition to voting against the bill, several representatives worked in vain to prevent this needless and flawed bill from coming to the floor and to amend it to make it less onerous — especially for those in rural Alabama.”
SB 361 awaits Gov. Kay Ivey’s signature.
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