September 5, 2026

Stricter Animal Tether, Shelter Laws Go Into Effect October 1

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

September 5, 2026

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. A new law is about to go into effect in just a few weeks.

The law passed earlier this year is meant to protect our pets and to be more humane with our animals.

Starting in October, tethered animals, especially dogs, will require their owners to provide better shelter and adequate food and water or face citations or even arrest.

The requirements come from Beau’s Law, which the Alabama Legislature passed back in April. The law details requirements for keeping a dog outside in humane conditions and goes into effect Oct. 1.

“The law does not unchain dogs,” area law enforcement said. “It simply sets the standards for how a dog may be tethered and confined outside.”

Locally, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Rural Area Enforcement Unit could be tasked with its enforcement, along with area law enforcement and animal control employees.

The sheriff’s office said that essentially the law requires that the tether for an outside dog must be on a trolley system, meaning the tether must be attached to a cable, also called a “run” that is between two points. This kind of system allows the animal the ability to move around, at the very least back and forth, in a larger area without getting tangled up.

Nationwide, dogs have injured themselves because a short tether, some even having a rope or chain around their neck.

Authorities said the tether must also not be unreasonably heavy relative to the size of the dog, not allow the dog to leave the property, not extend over anything that could cause injury and must be connected to only one dog attached to a properly fitted collar or harness. The law also requires that the animal has continuous access to adequate food, water and shelter.

Law enforcement has all to often seen dogs tied up on extremely short leash, a piece of rope or a chain not allowing the animal to move about or even use the bathroom away from where it slept.

The sheriff’s office said that logging chains, choke collars and pinch collars may not be used to tether a dog.
The law does define what is and is not a proper tether.

Proper shelter must protect the dog from the elements, have solid flooring and an adequate opening and allow the dog to stand, turn around, lie down and stretch out. The law also requires the shelter to be constructed of durable materials with proper ventilation and unlimited access and to be clean, free of waste, standing water and debris

The new Alabama law classifies violation as a Class C misdemeanor for the first offense, a Class B misdemeanor for the second offense and a Class A misdemeanor for all subsequent violations.

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