09/24/2026
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SB361 takes effect October 1, 2026. 👮👨⚖️
Source: Alabama Legislature — Senate Bill 361, enrolled version.
I’ve seen Alabama’s new dog tethering and outdoor confinement law shared quite a bit, so I went through the enrolled version of SB361. If this applies to your setup, I urge you to directly read the enrolled bill.
I’m sharing this because there are shortened versions going around, and some of the details matter, especially when it comes to temporary tethering and the exceptions written into the law.
Under the new law, a dog may not be tethered to a stationary object such as a tree, pole, stake, structure, or doghouse unless the dog is tethered through a trolley system, subject to the exceptions written into the law. If a dog is tethered through a trolley system, the tether must meet specific requirements.
Logging chains, choke collars, and pinch collars cannot be used for tethering.
The tether must not be unreasonably heavy for the dog, must not allow the dog to leave the property, and only one dog may be attached to it. It must be connected to a properly fitted collar or harness and must have a swivel on both ends to help prevent tangling. The tether cannot run over an object or edge that could cause injury or strangulation, and it must be positioned in a way that prevents the dog from becoming tangled with other objects or animals. The dog must also have access to adequate food, water, and shelter.
If a dog is being kept in an outdoor enclosure, the enclosure must be secure, fully fenced, provide enough room for the dog to move freely, and prevent the dog from leaving the property. It must keep the dog dry and protected from the weather, provide shade, and provide cold-weather bedding when necessary. It must be fully enclosed with an adequate entrance and exit, must have a solid floor, and must give the dog enough room to stand, turn around, lie normally, and extend its limbs. The shelter must also have adequate ventilation, remain accessible, and be kept free from accumulated waste, standing water, and debris.
Adequate food means food offered at suitable intervals and in enough quantity to prevent starvation or a significant health risk. Adequate water means potable water offered at suitable intervals and in enough quantity to prevent dehydration or a significant health risk.
Exception Section:
The specific tethering and enclosure requirements do not apply in certain situations. Those include licensed veterinary practices acting in the course of veterinary care, boarding kennels and public or private animal shelters using secure enclosures for temporary boarding or housing, dog shows and similar events, certain obedience or lawful hunting and retrieving training, service or assistance dogs, licensed grooming facilities while a dog is being groomed, temporary situations where tethering or confinement is necessary for a reasonable amount of time considering the weather, someone walking a dog on a leash, and certain USDA-licensed commercial dog breeders.
It does not state that every person or business listed is exempt from the entire law.
Another section states the act itself does not apply in certain circumstances, including dogs whose purpose is, or that are being trained for, herding livestock, agricultural work, hunting, or retrieving. It also includes temporary tethering or confinement near a business while the person responsible for the dog is inside or interacting with that business, as long as the time and location are reasonable considering the weather. Temporary tethering or confinement at a campsite, recreation area, or home is also included, as long as it is for a reasonable amount of time considering the weather.
The law does not give a specific number of minutes or hours that automatically counts as a “reasonable amount of time,” so I’m not adding a time limit that is not written into the law.
Counties and cities can appoint animal control officers to investigate possible violations. The investigating animal control officer does not necessarily have to be a certified law-enforcement officer.
If a certified law-enforcement officer has probable cause to believe the law has been violated, the officer can remove the dog if they believe the dog’s life is in danger, or order the owner or person responsible for the dog to provide the care needed to comply with the law at their own expense.
The law states that nothing in it prevents a law-enforcement officer from seeking a warrant to enter private property to enforce the act. The penalties increase with repeat violations. A first violation is a Class C misdemeanor. A second violation is a Class B misdemeanor. A third or subsequent violation is a Class A misdemeanor. A person who violates the law may also be responsible for the full cost of boarding and veterinary care provided to the dog.
The law also does not prevent animal control or law enforcement from enforcing other Alabama animal cruelty or neglect laws when those laws apply.
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👩🏼🦰 Tasha Curry | Owner
📍Capshaw, AL
🌎 CurryCanineCare.com
📩 [email protected]
