AL HB249

Amends Alabama Code Sections 13A-11-240 and 13A-11-243 to define "abandon" as forsaking entirely or leaving a dog or cat at a location without providing minimum reasonable care.

Creates new crime of abandonment of a dog or cat under Section 13A-11-241.1, making it a Class A misdemeanor when a person with criminal negligence abandons a dog or cat.

Restructures definitions in Section 13A-11-240 to organize terms (abandon, cruel, dog or cat, torture) as numbered definitions for clarity and updates language to current code style.

Modifies Section 13A-11-243 to clarify authority of law enforcement officers and municipal agents to remove animals or order owners to provide care when they observe violations.

Effective date: October 1, 2025.