Code of Alabama Currentness. Title 3. Animals. Chapter 7A. Rabies. § 3-7A-8. Destruction of
impounded dogs, cats, and ferrets; when authorized; redemption by owner; adoption of animals.

Citation: AL ST 3-7A-8

Citation: Ala. Code 1975 § 3-7A-8

Summary: This Alabama statute provides that all dogs and cats which have been impounded for
lack of rabies immunization, after due notice has been given to the owner as provided in Section
3-7A-7, may be humanely destroyed and disposed of when not redeemed by the owner within seven
days. The owner may redeem the animal before destruction by paying the associated costs of
vaccination (if no proof of prior vaccination) and impoundment.

Statute in Full:
<< AL ST § 3-7A-8 >>

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-8.

"All dogs, cats, and ferrets which have been impounded in accordance with the provisions of
this chapter, after notice is given to the owner as provided in Section 3-7A-7, may be humanely
destroyed and disposed of when not redeemed by the owner within seven days. In case the owner of
an impounded animal desires to redeem the animal, he or she may do so on the following
condition: He or she shall pay for the immunization of the animal and a penalty equal to the
minimum fine established in Section 3-7A-6 if a certificate of current immunization cannot be
produced, and for the board of the animal for the period for which it was impounded. The amount
paid for the board of the animal shall accrue to the credit of the city or county, depending
upon the jurisdiction of the pound in which the animal was confined. At his or her discretion,
the impounding officer may provide for adoption of any animal not redeemed or claimed or
otherwise disposed of, to any person desiring the animal, if the person complies with all the
provisions of this chapter.