[Ord. No. 427, 3-2-1970; Ord. No. 1160, 11-14-1983]
It shall be unlawful for any dog or cat to be at large in the City, off of the premises of the owner or keeper. The owner or keeper of any dog or cat failing to keep said dog or cat confined on his or her own premises shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; provided nothing in this section shall prevent the owner of any dog or cat or any other person having charge of such dog or cat from allowing said dog or cat to accompany such owner or other person elsewhere than on the premises on which such dog or cat is regularly kept, provided said dog or cat is kept on a leash or otherwise under control.
[Ord. No. 427, 3-2-1970; Ord. No. 1160, 11-14-1983]
The premises where any dog or cat is kept shall be maintained at all times in a clean and sanitary condition meeting with the approval of the City, county and state health authorities.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 4-13, Keeping loud and noisy dog unlawful, adopted 5-16-1977 by Ord. No. 761, was repealed 6-2-2026 by Ord. No. 2040-26. See now § 4-5, Nuisance or noisy animals.
[Ord. No. 2040-26, 6-2-2026]
(a) 
Duty to restrain dogs.
(1) 
Owners must keep their dogs under effective restraint within Albertville City limits, whether on or off their property. It is unlawful to allow a dog to roam unrestrained. An unrestrained dog is evidence of a violation, unless caused by an unforeseeable act of a third party, in which case the City must prove otherwise.
(2) 
Owners may choose how to contain their dog on their property (e.g., inside a home, fenced yard, or trolley system), as long as it is safe for the dog and public and complies with this section.
(b) 
Tethering dogs.
(1) 
Tethering dogs to a stationary object is prohibited. Dogs may be restrained using a trolley system (tether on a cable run) if:
a. 
Only one dog is tethered per cable run.
b. 
The tether uses a properly fitting harness or collar (no choke, pinch, or prong collars).
c. 
A swivel is on at least one end of the tether to prevent tangling.
d. 
The tether and cable run are strong enough for the dog's size, age, and health, as determined by the Animal Control Officer or law enforcement officer.
e. 
The tether allows access to an exercise area, water, and shelter, keeps the dog on the owner's property, and prevents injury or tangling.
(2) 
Tethering is allowed for organized events (e.g., dog shows, agility contests) or under a licensed veterinarian's care.
(3) 
Tethered dogs must not be injured, strangled, entangled, or neglected.
(4) 
No owner may subject a dog to cruel conditions, including:
a. 
Dirty or hazardous conditions (e.g., excessive waste, garbage, or dangerous objects).
b. 
Taunting, hitting, or harming the dog.
(5) 
Dogs kept outside must be in a residential structure, fenced area, or suitable pen if not on a compliant trolley system, as determined by the Animal Control Officer or law enforcement officer.
(c) 
Minimum care for dogs living outside.
(1) 
Shelter.
a. 
Dogs habitually kept outside or left unattended must have a structurally sound, moisture-proof, and wind-proof shelter that keeps them clean and dry. Shelters must protect against extreme weather and have proper ventilation and drainage.
b. 
Shelters and bedding must minimize disease, injury, or parasite risks.
c. 
Shelters must retain the dog's body heat in cold weather and be sized for normal movement (enter, stand, sit, lie down, turn around).
d. 
A shelter is a four-sided structure with a roof, floor, and entrance, or an Igloo-type structure designed for dogs. Metal drums or transport carriers are not shelters.
e. 
Shelter floors must be raised at least two inches off the ground, free of cracks, holes, or rough edges.
f. 
Shelters and surrounding areas must be regularly cleaned, free of feces, garbage, or debris.
g. 
Shelters must be placed to avoid direct sunlight causing overheating.
(2) 
Nutrition.
a. 
Owners must provide clean, fresh, potable water adequate for the dog's size, age, and condition, either free-flowing or in a secure, weighted receptacle.
b. 
Owners must provide wholesome food suitable for the dog's age and condition to maintain adequate nutrition.
(d) 
Violations. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be punished as provided in § 1-8 of this Code and § 11-45-9, Code of Alabama, 1975.
[Ord. No. 438, 9-14-1970; Ord. No. 2040-26, 6-2-2026]
There shall be established at such place as shall be designated by the City Council a dog pound, which shall be in charge of a dogcatcher or poundmaster employed by the City whose compensation shall be as fixed from time to time by the City Council. If there is no pound in operation, the City Council may contract services with an animal shelter.
[Ord. No. 438, 9-14-1970]
The special duties of the poundmaster or dogcatcher shall be to catch and impound dogs, to handle redemption of dogs by the owners, and to humanely destroy, sell or otherwise dispose of dogs not redeemed within the maximum period allowed for redemption, or not redeemed before the sale or other disposition thereof.
[Ord. No. 438, 9-14-1970]
At the sole discretion of the Mayor, the poundmaster or dogcatcher may also have similar duties for compensation for another municipality located within the state with the consent of said municipality.
[Ord. No. 438, 9-14-1970; Ord. No. 1748, 3-1-1993; Ord. No. 2040-26, 6-2-2026]
Any dog found at large on the street or off the owner's premises shall be captured and placed in such dog pound or designated animal shelter by the dogcatcher. Any dog so captured and placed in such pound or designated animal shelter shall be kept for seven calendar days for animals picked up at large and 10 calendar days for animals quarantined for observation of rabies, and shall thereafter be humanely destroyed, sold or otherwise disposed of.
[Ord. No. 438, 9-14-1970; Ord. No. 1748, 3-1-1993; Ord. No. 2040-26, 6-2-2026]
If approved by the Council, the Mayor shall have the authority to contract with any licensed veterinarian or designated animal shelter to take custody of such dogs after they have been captured by the poundmaster and keep the same, which contract may provide for the compensation of said veterinarian not to exceed the amounts specified in § 4-25 hereof for board and inoculation, and which contract may not be for a period longer than three years.
[Ord. No. 438, 9-14-1970; Ord. No. 1363, 4-21-1986; Ord. No. 1413, 11-17-1986; Ord. No. 2040-26, 6-2-2026]
(a) 
The owner of any impounded dog may appear at the dog pound at any time before such dog is humanely destroyed, sold or otherwise disposed of and identify such dog.
(b) 
After such identification, the owner shall receive from the poundmaster a certificate, provided by the City, which shall provide for the sum of $15 for picking up the dog for the first offense, and the sum of $25 for each subsequent offense, together with the current fee per day for board for each day or fraction thereof that the dog is kept, and the payment for the rabies inoculation according to the law of the State of Alabama; provided, however, that any person wishing to adopt a dog not owned by that person shall only pay for the board of the dog and for the rabies inoculation.
(c) 
The owner shall take the certificate to the City Clerk and pay the amount stipulated on the certificate and in return receive from the Clerk a receipt which the owner shall take back to the poundmaster and receive the dog.
[Ord. No. 1612-19, 2-28-2019; Ord. No. 2040-26, 6-2-2026]
When any animal is found to be in violation of §§ 4-11, 4-12, 4-13 and 4-23 or is found to be neglected or cruelly treated under the provisions of §§ 13A-11-241 and 13A-11-242, Code of Alabama, or under the provisions of any other ordinance of the City of Albertville, Alabama, or statute of Alabama and the person or persons responsible are known to the Animal Control Officer (designated as dogcatcher or poundmaster in §§ 4-24 and 4-25), the Animal Control Officer may issue a citation to the owner or person in charge of the animal directing that person or persons to appear in the Municipal Court at a time and date stated and answer the charge in the citation. It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to fail to appear in the Municipal Court at the time and date specified in the citation.