Alabama dogs; maintenance of pound; notice of impoundment; adoption of animals.

2009 Alabama Laws Act 2009-636 (S.B. 469)

ALABAMA 2009 SESSION LAW SERVICE 2009 REGULAR SESSION

Additions and deletions are identified in House Bills.
Act 2009-636 S.B. No. 469 ANIMALS--RABIES--VACCINATIONS--REQUIRED ANIMALS

By: Senator Dixon

Enrolled, An Act, Relating to rabies immunization of cats and dogs; to amend Sections 3-7A-1, 3-7A-2, 3-7A-3, 3-7A-5, 3-7A-7, 3-7A-8, 3-7A-9, 3-7A-10, 3- 7A-11, 3-7A-12, and 3-7A-14, Code of Alabama 1975, to add members of the ferret (Mustela putorius furo) family to the list of animals required to be vaccinated against rabies; to provide further for public rabies clinics and set fees therefor; to provide further for penalties to owners of animals found to be unvaccinated; to allow for home quarantine as directed by the health officer; to provide for humane euthanizing of certain biting animals; to provide for quarantine of rabies endemic areas; to authorize exemptions from vaccinations under certain conditions; to add Section 3-7A-16 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that persons assisting at rabies vaccination clinics would be considered volunteers; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Sections 3-7A-1, 3-7A-2, 3-7A-3, 3-7A-5, 3-7A-7, 3-7A-8, 3-7A-9, 3-7A-10, 3-7A-11, 3-7A-12, and 3-7A-14, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:

"§ 3-7A-7.

"Each county in the state shall provide a suitable county pound and impounding officer for the impoundment of dogs, cats, and ferrets found running at large in violation of the provisions of this chapter. Every municipality with a population over 5,000 in which the county pound is not located shall maintain a suitable pound or contribute their pro rata share to the staffing and upkeep of the county pound. If the owner of an impounded animal is known, the owner shall be given direct notice of the impoundment.