Alabama Bill Tightens Dog Tethering Rules

0:00Alabama lawmakers are advancing Senate Bill 361 to set stricter rules on how we tether and care for dogs kept outside. The bill bans tying dogs to fix spots like trees, unless it's a trolley system that lets them move along a line. Owners must provide steady food and water, and breaking these rules would be a crime. It passed the Senate and now sits in the house, aiming to improve basic pet welfare across the state. But in Gadsden, roaming dog packs are causing real pain for folks like Rachel Farley, who lives near Nakalula Falls. She sheltered a stray pregnant cat that birthed five kittens early this year, keeping them safe on her carport until dogs broke in and mulled one too. Death caught on her security camera. The bill skips issues like loose dogs or attacks, leaving gaps in places like Gadsden where these problems hit hard. Farley's pushing officials to track down the remaining dogs before more pets suffer, spotlighting the need for broader protections as the legislation moves forward. Birmingham News Today, powered by AI bringing you what matters.