Michigan State University College of Law

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Alabama Great Ape Laws

Statute Name	Citation	Summary
AL - Cruelty - Alabama Consolidated Cruelty Statutes	AL ST � 13A-11-14 to 16; � 13A-11-240 to 247; � 13A-12-4 - 6; � 3-1-8 to 29; � 2-15-110 to 114	These Alabama provisions contain the state's anti-cruelty laws. The first section (under Article 1 of Chapter 11) provides that a person commits a Class B misdemeanor if he or she subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment, neglect (as long as he or she has custody of the animal), or kills or injures without good cause any animal belonging to another. The next section (Article 11 of Chapter 11 entitled, "Cruelty to Cats and Dogs"), provides that a person commits the crime of cruelty to a dog or cat in the first degree if he or she intentionally tortures any dog or cat or skins a domestic dog or cat or offers for sale or exchange or offers to buy or exchange the fur, hide, or pelt of a domestic dog or cat. Cruelty to a dog or cat in the first degree is a Class C felony.
AL - Fish and Wildlife - Article 3. Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries	AL ST � 9-2-60 to 67	This set of laws establishes the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries within the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and outlines the powers and duties of various officials within that division.
AL - Ordinances - Article 4. General Police Powers	AL ST � 11-47-110, 117, 118	This set of statutes authorizes all cities and towns to enact local ordinances to prevent dangerous, unwholesome, or offensive conditions and to abate public nuisances.
AL - Ordinances - Article 5. Powers as to Health, Sanitation, and Quarantine	AL ST � 11-47-130 to 131	This set of laws authorizes all cities and towns to regulate animals and animal related conditions that pose a threat to the public health.
AL - Ordinances - Section 11-3A-2. Powers for Public Welfare, Health, and Safety; Authorization; Scope.	AL ST � 11-3A-2	This statute authorizes each county commission to enact ordinances for the control of animals and animal nuisances.
AL - Public Nuisances - Chapter 10. Nuisances Menacing Public Health	AL ST � 22-10-1 - 3	This set of laws lists various animal-related actions and conditions that are considered nuisances per se because of their significant public health risks. In addition, it addresses the methods by which such nuisances may be abated, up to and including the destruction of property without compensation.
AL - Wildlife, Captive - Article 11. Possession of Wildlife for Public Exhibition Purposes.	AL ST � 9-11-320 to 328	This set of Alabama laws relates to the possession of captive wildlife. The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources may issue an annual permit to possess wildlife for public exhibition to a person qualified by education or experience in the care and treatment of wildlife at at a cost of $25.00. Violation of any provision of the article results in a fine of not more than $500.00, imprisonment for not more than three months, or both. Notably, the provisions of the article do not apply to any municipal, county, state or other publicly owned zoo or wildlife exhibit, privately owned traveling zoo or circus or pet shop.