Alabama Lawmakers Enact New Dog Care Regulations Ahead of Puppy Mill Awareness Day
Alabama is implementing a new state law, Senate Bill 361, also known as Beau’s Law, which establishes comprehensive requirements for the care of dogs kept outdoors. This law, enacted in April and taking effect on October 1, 2026, coincides with Puppy Mill Awareness Day on September 19, an observance dedicated to educating the public about conditions in large-scale commercial dog breeding operations. Beau’s Law outlines specific standards for tethering, confinement, food, water, and shelter for dogs. It prohibits direct tethering to stationary objects unless a trolley system meeting legal requirements is used. The tether must be appropriately weighted, attached to a proper collar or harness with swivels, and prevent entanglement or injury. Logging chains, choke collars, and pinch collars are explicitly forbidden. For outdoor enclosures, the law mandates secure, fully fenced spaces with adequate room for movement and continuous access to food, water, and weather-protected shelter, including shade and bedding...
