AL HB480

Amends animal fighting and cruelty laws (Sections 3-1-29, 13A-11-244, and 13A-12-6 of Alabama Code) to expedite seizure and disposition procedures for animals involved in dog fighting, hog and canine fighting, and animal cruelty charges.

Requires law enforcement to petition court within 10 days of seizure for a hearing to determine if the animal owner should post a bond or deposit funds to cover food, shelter, veterinary care, and other costs for the seized animal throughout the case.

Animals must be turned over to local humane society or animal welfare agency; veterinarians may destroy animals deemed injured, diseased beyond recovery, or inhumane to keep alive.

Owners must post bond or deposit funds within 5 days of court order for at least 30-day periods; failure to do so results in automatic forfeiture of the animal by operation of law.

Upon acquittal, owner retains possession of animal and any remaining deposited funds; upon conviction, court may award custody to the facility housing the animal or humane society; welfare agency may draw on deposited funds weekly for actual care costs.