HB204 Summary

• Applies only to unincorporated areas of Chilton County and establishes procedures for declaring dogs dangerous or nuisances based on biting, causing physical injury, or damaging property without provocation.

• Dogs that caused serious physical injury or death must be humanely euthanized; dogs declared dangerous or nuisance without serious injury can be returned to owners if they meet registration requirements including rabies vaccination, microchip identification, spaying/neutering, and $100,000 liability insurance within 30 days.

• Owners must provide secure enclosures with locked structures, buried fencing, warning signs, and obtain written permission from property owners; failure to comply results in euthanization of the dog.

• Violations are misdemeanors punishable by fines of $300 for first offense and $600 for subsequent offenses, plus $150 administrative fines; previously declared dangerous dogs that attack causing severe injury are Class C felonies with up to $5,000 fines and 2 years imprisonment.

• Dogs cannot be declared dangerous or nuisance if injury occurred during trespass, crime, teasing, self-defense, or pain response; growling or barking alone do not constitute grounds for declaration, and owners may petition for removal of designation after 18 months.