Right now in Montgomery, there is a new effort to stop and prevent animal abuse in Alabama.House Bill 149, currently moving through the legislature, would establish rules for how dogs can be kept outside. Chained up in the sweltering heat or left shivering in the cold, too many dogs in Alabama endure harsh conditions daily, but “the Alabama Dog Tethering and Outdoor Shelter Act” aims to change that. “I’ve heard from residents from the southern part of the state all the way to the northernmost part, and everywhere in between that have just shared horror stories of dogs being chained up or tethered in horrible conditions,” said one of the bills’ sponsor, Rep. Phillip Ensler. Under the bill, dog owners will no longer be allowed to keep their pets chained to stationary objects, like trees or posts for extended periods. Instead, they must be kept in a secure enclosure, like a fenced-in yard, or on a trolley system that meets certain safety standards.The tethering system must be designed for dogs and be attached to a collar or harness that does not choke the animal. “It really just tries to create more humane conditions for dogs,” said Ensler.>> FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Beyond stopping cruel tethering practices, the bill also ensures dogs get proper protection from the heat and cold, consistent access to food, and clean water. Greater Birmingham Humane Society CEO Allison Black-Cornelius says this bill is a good start and keeping it simple is the best way to get it passed. “When we pull up and you are using a cardboard box and it’s 15 degrees outside, this bill would make that illegal and we would be able to seize your animal or have you correct it,” said Black-Cornelius.”But also chained animals who are never socialized and kept on a chain all the time, and don’t have enough room to exercise become aggressive, and there’s a ton of research for it, and if they break that chain, often times they attack people,” she continued.There are exemptions, including for hunting, herding, or training dogs, grooming facilities, and temporary tethering at campsites or recreational areas. “It may not be perfect, it may not have every single provision and every single aspect that’s going to make everyone happy, but we’re trying to get it to a point where it would be enforceable, that it would have teeth,” said Ensler.”Let’s see if it can get through committee,” he continued. “And let’s see, you know, let’s keep our eye open to see if any special interest groups try to kill it.”Should the bill become law, violating it would be a class B misdemeanor. “I’ve gotten feedback. Some people think it should be stronger, that it should be a felony,” said Ensler. Ensler says the bill has been assigned to a committee in the house, but they are holding off on a vote until they make some edits based on the feedback. In the meantime, he is encouraging everyone to reach out to their representative in support of House Bill 149.
Right now in Montgomery, there is a new effort to stop and prevent animal abuse in Alabama.
House Bill 149, currently moving through the legislature, would establish rules for how dogs can be kept outside.
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Chained up in the sweltering heat or left shivering in the cold, too many dogs in Alabama endure harsh conditions daily, but “the Alabama Dog Tethering and Outdoor Shelter Act” aims to change that.
“I’ve heard from residents from the southern part of the state all the way to the northernmost part, and everywhere in between that have just shared horror stories of dogs being chained up or tethered in horrible conditions,” said one of the bills’ sponsor, Rep. Phillip Ensler.
Under the bill, dog owners will no longer be allowed to keep their pets chained to stationary objects, like trees or posts for extended periods. Instead, they must be kept in a secure enclosure, like a fenced-in yard, or on a trolley system that meets certain safety standards.
The tethering system must be designed for dogs and be attached to a collar or harness that does not choke the animal.
“It really just tries to create more humane conditions for dogs,” said Ensler.
>> FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Beyond stopping cruel tethering practices, the bill also ensures dogs get proper protection from the heat and cold, consistent access to food, and clean water.
Greater Birmingham Humane Society CEO Allison Black-Cornelius says this bill is a good start and keeping it simple is the best way to get it passed.
“When we pull up and you are using a cardboard box and it’s 15 degrees outside, this bill would make that illegal and we would be able to seize your animal or have you correct it,” said Black-Cornelius.
“But also chained animals who are never socialized and kept on a chain all the time, and don’t have enough room to exercise become aggressive, and there’s a ton of research for it, and if they break that chain, often times they attack people,” she continued.
There are exemptions, including for hunting, herding, or training dogs, grooming facilities, and temporary tethering at campsites or recreational areas.
“It may not be perfect, it may not have every single provision and every single aspect that’s going to make everyone happy, but we’re trying to get it to a point where it would be enforceable, that it would have teeth,” said Ensler.
“Let’s see if it can get through committee,” he continued. “And let’s see, you know, let’s keep our eye open to see if any special interest groups try to kill it.”
Should the bill become law, violating it would be a class B misdemeanor.
“I’ve gotten feedback. Some people think it should be stronger, that it should be a felony,” said Ensler.
Ensler says the bill has been assigned to a committee in the house, but they are holding off on a vote until they make some edits based on the feedback. In the meantime, he is encouraging everyone to reach out to their representative in support of House Bill 149.
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