Beau's Law, Alabama's first pet protection legislation in 26 Years, heads to governor's desk

House passes Beau’s Law after long debate

MONTGOMERY — After more than 90 minutes of debate and six successful amendments, the Alabama House of Representatives awarded final passage to Beau’s Law, a bill requiring minimum care standards for outdoor dogs.

Alabama legislature passes bill setting statewide rules for tethering dogs outdoors

After hours of debate and a flurry of changes, the Alabama House passed a bill that would set new statewide rules for how dogs can be tethered or kept outside.

House passes bill criminalizing improper dog tethering

Despite fierce pushback from agricultural groups and rural lawmakers, the Alabama House approved new standards for outside dog enclosures.

Beau's Law, Alabama's first pet protection legislation in 26 Years, heads to governor's desk

A state bill aimed at protecting outdoor dogs fully passed the legislature with a final vote late Wednesday afternoon.

Bill prohibiting unlawful dog tethering goes to Gov. Kay Ivey

Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, speaking at a lecturn on the floor of the Alabama Senate on Feb. 25, 2026, in Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama Legislature Wednesday gave final approval to a bill making it illegal to tether a dog outside without adequate food or shelter. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)The Alabama Legislature Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that would ban the unlawful tethering of dogs in the state afte…

‘Beau’s Law’ amended as Alabama lawmakers debate dog tethering bill

A bill that establishes standards of care for dogs confined outdoors and allows for removal of dogs and possible misdemeanor criminal charges for violators advanced Wednesday in the Alabama Legislature. The bill requires that dogs have access to adequate food,…