FAQ

Leash Law

This law applies only to dogs. Animal Control can only collect a dog in violation of the leash law if it does not have a current rabies tag. The State of Alabama Department of Health and Shelby County recognizes a current rabies immunization as being a vaccination within a one year period. Should a citizen contact Animal Control with a complaint concerning a possible leash law violation, the county will mail a notice letter to the possible dog owner. The complainant can elect to report to the Sheriff’s Office for the processing of a written complaint and subsequently take action through the District Attorney’s office if need be. The owner of a dog in violation of the leash law can be subject to a misdemeanor offense and payment of a fine of $2.00 to $50.00 if a warrant is processed against them.

Section 3-1-5

Permitting dogs to run at large; applicability of provisions of section in counties and certain cities or towns.

(a) Every person owning or having in charge any dog or dogs shall at all times confine such dog or dogs to the limits of his own premises or the premises on which such dog or dogs is or are regularly kept. Nothing in this section shall prevent the owner of any dog or dogs or other person or persons having such dog or dogs in his or their charge from allowing such dog or dogs to accompany such owner or other person or persons elsewhere than on the premises on which such dog or dogs is or are regularly kept. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than $2.00 nor more than $50.00.

(b) This section shall not apply to the running at large of any dog or dogs within the corporate limits of any city or town in this state that requires a license tag to be kept on dogs nor shall this section apply in any county in this state until the same has been adopted by the county commission of such county.

(Acts 1915, No. 185, p. 259; Code 1923, §3221; Code 1940, T. 3, §5.) [State of Alabama Leash Law Section 3-1-5, Code of Alabama 1975]

The above was sourced from Shelby County AL Website.

According to the Protective Covenants, Article 7.01b:

7.01 Use Restrictions. The Property will be used for residential purposes only, and no trade or business purposes, including all types of home industry, will be permitted. No building or structure other than a single family dwelling shall be erected on any Lot within the Property except as otherwise prohibited permitted herein. Uses include, but are not limited to:

(b) raising, breeding, or keeping of any animals, birds, or fowl; provided that an Owner shall be permitted to keep not more than two dogs and/or cats as domestic pets on a single Lot and provided further that the Association, in its sole discretion, may approve more animals to be kept as domestic pets on a Lot; and

Per the Shelby County website https://www.shelbyal.com/249/Animal-Control.

Currently, Animal Control perform services five days per week. Citizens can request a cage trap for domestic animals, such as stray cats and dogs, from Animal Control. The citizen will be responsible for the operation and activities associated with the trap.

• Animals that are destroyed and located on county roads and right of ways will be picked up by
  • the Environmental Services Department (205-669-3737 or eyes@shelbyal.com) or
  • the County Highway Department (205-669-3880).
• Citizens are responsible for managing the remains of destroyed animals located on private property. Any remains not managed within the citizen’s property must be transported to the Animal Shelter in Columbiana for cremation. Animal remains cannot be placed with the garbage containers and/or processed by your garbage service provider. The County Landfill cannot accept animal remains.
• Domestic Livestock – Animal Control cannot independently capture and transport livestock. The Sheriff’s Office (205-669-4181) must first be contacted and the applicable report prepared. Upon the request of the Sheriff’s Office, Animal Control can perform services.

Shelby County Animal Control Office: 205-669-8766.

If you are located within a city, contact your local municipality for the applicable animal control information. The County does not have jurisdiction within a city.

For adoption of animals, spay and neuter information, vaccine information and services, please contact the Shelby County Humane Society.