08/28/2026
🚨 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT — NEW ALABAMA DOG TETHERING LAW
Effective October 1, 2026 — Code of Alabama §§ 3-6B-1 through 3-6B-7
There has been a LOT of misinformation circulating about Alabama’s new tethering law, and we want to take an opportunity to explain what this law actually does.
FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT: THIS LAW DOES NOT UNCHAIN DOGS. It does NOT make it illegal to have a dog tied out. It does NOT say that every dog currently being tethered must be brought inside.
What the law does is establish specific requirements for how a dog may be tethered or confined outside and what must be provided for that dog.
Our goal in sharing this information now is simple: EDUCATION AND PREPARATION.
We want dog owners to have time to understand the new requirements and make any necessary changes before the law takes effect on October 1st.
WHAT DOES THE NEW LAW REQUIRE?
If a dog is tethered to a stationary object, the law requires the use of a trolley system and establishes specific requirements, including:
• The tether cannot be unreasonably heavy in relation to the dog's size.
• The tether cannot allow the dog to leave the owner's property.
• A tether may only be connected to one dog.
• The tether must be attached to a properly fitted collar or harness that does not choke the dog or interfere with normal breathing or swallowing.
• The tether must have a swivel on both ends to help prevent tangling.
• The dog must have continuous access to adequate food, adequate water, and proper shelter.
• The tether cannot extend over an object or edge that could cause injury or strangulation.
• The tether must be arranged so the dog cannot become entangled with other objects or animals.
•Logging chains, choke collars, and pinch collars cannot be used to tether a dog.
WHAT ABOUT A FENCED-IN AREA?
The law also establishes requirements for dogs that are confined outside in an enclosure.
The enclosure must be:
• Secure and fully fenced.
• Large enough for the dog to freely move around.
• Designed so the dog cannot leave the owner's property.
• Equipped with continuous access to adequate food and adequate water.
PROPER SHELTER IS ALSO REQUIRED
If a dog is being tethered or confined outside, the law requires access to shelter that:
• Protects the dog from the elements and inclement weather, including providing shade and bedding when necessary during cold weather.
• Is fully enclosed, with an adequate opening for the dog to enter and exit.
• Has a solid floor.
• Is large enough for the dog to stand, turn around, lie down normally, and extend its limbs.
• Is made of durable materials and provides adequate ventilation.
• Is free from accumulated waste, standing water, and debris.
• Is available to the dog at all times.
THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS
The law contains several exceptions and circumstances where these requirements do not apply in the same manner.
These include certain veterinary practices, boarding kennels, animal shelters, temporary exhibitions and events, service or assistance dogs, lawful training activities, licensed grooming facilities, walking a dog on a leash, certain USDA-licensed commercial breeders, and certain temporary circumstances.
There are also additional exceptions for dogs being trained or used for legitimate agricultural, herding, hunting, or retrieving purposes, dogs temporarily tethered or confined near a place of business while their owner is there, and temporary tethering or confinement at campsites, recreation areas, or homes when done for a reasonable amount of time considering the weather.
WHO ENFORCES THIS LAW?
This is an especially important point because there has also been misinformation regarding enforcement.
For Cherokee County Animal Shelter/Animal Control, our role under this law will be to INVESTIGATE alleged violations and document our findings. We are not the enforcing authority for this law.
Our findings will be turned over to law enforcement, who will be responsible for enforcement.
The law allows a governing body to appoint animal control officers to investigate alleged violations, and it specifically provides that an investigating officer does not have to be a certified law enforcement officer.
However, enforcement actions under the law are addressed to certified law enforcement officers.
If you are located in the unincorporated areas of Cherokee County, Animal Control will be able to investigate complaints regarding this law and forward our findings to the appropriate law enforcement authority.
If you live inside a municipality, please pay close attention to where you need to report complaints.
If you live within:
👮‍♂️ City of Centre
👮‍♀️ Town of Cedar Bluff
đźš” Town of Leesburg
you will need to contact the respective Police Department regarding complaints under this law.
Animal Control will only be able to investigate these complaints in the unincorporated areas of Cherokee County.
THIS LAW DOES NOT REPLACE OUR CURRENT CRUELTY LAWS
Another important point: The new tethering law does NOT replace Alabama's existing animal cruelty and neglect laws. Those laws remain in effect and will continue to be enforced.
A situation that constitutes animal cruelty or neglect can still be addressed under the applicable cruelty laws, regardless of the new tethering requirements.
WHY ARE WE TELLING EVERYONE THIS NOW?
Quite honestly, we are concerned this new law could potentially increase the number of dogs entering our shelter.
If an owner cannot meet the requirements of the new law, the situation could result in law enforcement taking action, including the removal of a dog when authorized by law.
Our shelter is already working hard to manage the number of animals coming through our doors. The last thing we want to see is dogs entering the shelter simply because their owners were unaware of the new requirements or did not have enough time to make changes.
That is exactly why we are notifying the public NOW.
You have time to look at your current setup. You have time to make changes. You have time to ask questions. You have time to get into compliance before October 1st.
We are not posting this to scare anyone, and we are not posting this to tell people they cannot have an outside dog. We are posting this because we want people to understand the law before it takes effect.
If your dog is currently tethered or confined outside, we encourage you to review the requirements of Code of Alabama §§ 3-6B-1 through 3-6B-7 and determine whether your current setup meets the new standards.
Again, this law does NOT unchain dogs. It does NOT make it illegal to tether a dog. It establishes requirements for proper tethering and outdoor confinement.
Our hope is that through education and preparation, we can keep dogs with their families and prevent unnecessary shelter intakes.
If you have questions or concerns about the new law or need clarification regarding the requirements, please contact the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at 256-266-1390.
We appreciate everyone's cooperation as we prepare for this change in Alabama law. Our goal is education, preparation, and keeping dogs safely with their families whenever possible.
Please share this information so that your friends, family, and neighbors have an opportunity to prepare before October 1, 2026.
This post is intended as a public service announcement and general educational information. For the complete requirements, exceptions, enforcement provisions, and penalties, please refer to Code of Alabama §§ 3-6B-1 through 3-6B-7.
