CODE OF ALABAMA
TITLE 2. AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 15. LIVESTOCK
ARTICLE 5. HANDLING OF LIVESTOCK IN MARKETS AND IN TRANSIT
§ 2-15-110. Inhumane handling or handling in violation of article prohibited
In order to prevent injury to animals in livestock markets and in transit and to prevent unnecessary abuse and cruelty to animals with resultant loss of profit from the slaughter and sale of such animals, it shall be unlawful in this state to handle or transport such animals in any manner not consistent with humane methods of treatment to such extent as is reasonably possible or in a manner not in compliance with or in violation of the requirements of this article.
§ 2-15-111. Conveyances used to transport livestock to proceed to destination without delay; notice to owner of livestock of breakdown
(a) All trucks, vans or other conveyances used for the transportation of cattle, sheep, swine or other animals along public roads, streets or highways of Alabama shall, prior to the loading of such animals, be prepared to proceed to their destination without delay and, upon loading, shall proceed by the most direct and usually traveled route.
(b) In the event of a breakdown that would cause a delay of the arrival of the livestock at their destination for more than one hour, the owner of such livestock shall be notified as soon as possible of such breakdown.
§ 2-15-112. Construction of conveyances used for transporting of livestock
All such trucks, vans or other conveyances used for the transporting of the animals described in this article shall be so constructed that the roof of any deck of the conveyance will not touch the highest point of the back of any animal loaded thereon. Any such conveyance which is propelled or drawn by the use of diesel fuel shall have the exhaust so placed that the fumes will not blow directly into the area in which the animals are loaded either when the conveyance is in motion or when it is motionless.
§ 2-15-113. Use of sticks, whips, chains, etc., in livestock markets; promulgation of rules and regulations by commissioner as to treatment of livestock in markets; inspections of markets for enforcement of section
In addition to the authority granted to the commissioner of the department of agriculture and industries pursuant to division 1 of article 4 of this chapter, the said commissioner, with the approval of the state board of agriculture and industries, shall be authorized to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations for the humane treatment of animals held in livestock markets and while being sold or offered for sale in such markets, including the number, kind and size of animals that may be held in pens or areas of stipulated dimensions, regulations for the feeding and care of such animals and for the maintenance of sanitary conditions of the premises. Sticks, canes or whips shall not be used in such a manner so as to injure an animal. The use of chains, spikes, clubs or other injurious devices are hereby prohibited except under extreme circumstances where it is necessary to prevent injury to persons or other animals; and flappers, other noisemaking devices, electric prods of not more than six volts in strength and other contrivances which have been found to be equally effective shall be used wherever possible for such purposes. The commissioner of agriculture and industries shall provide for the regular inspection of such livestock markets for the purpose of enforcing the requirements of this section.
§ 2-15-114. Penalties for violations of provisions of article, rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, etc.; liability of managers, etc., of transportation agencies or livestock markets permitting violations of article by employees, agents, etc
(a) Any person who shall violate any of the provisions or requirements of this article, or who fails to perform any duty imposed by the provisions of this article or who violates any rule or regulation duly promulgated under this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than $10.00 nor more than $100.00 and, within the discretion of the court, may also be imprisoned for not more than six months.
(b) The manager, executive officer, owner or other person in charge of any transportation agency or livestock market who knowingly allows any employee, agent or servant to violate any of the provisions or requirements of this article or who knows that any employee, agent or servant is violating any provisions of this article and who does not take immediate steps to correct such violations shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
TITLE 3. ANIMALS
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 3-1-8. Destruction of certain abandoned animals by members, etc., of societies for prevention of cruelty to animals
Any agent, officer or member of a duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals may lawfully destroy or cause to be destroyed any animal found abandoned and not properly cared for which may appear, in the judgment of two reputable citizens called by him to view the same in his presence, to be superannuated, infirm, glandered, injured or diseased past recovery for any useful purpose.
§ 3-1-10. Wanton, malicious, etc., destruction, injury, etc., of animal or article or commodity of value of another -- Prohibited
Any person, who unlawfully, wantonly or maliciously kills, disables, disfigures, destroys or injures any animal or article or commodity of value which is the property of another must, on conviction, be fined not less than twice the value of the injury or damage to the owner of the property nor more than $1,000.00 and may also be imprisoned in the county jail, or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months, and so much of the fine as may be necessary to repair the injury or loss shall go to the party injured.
§ 3-1-11. Wanton, malicious, etc., destruction, injury, etc., of animal or article or commodity of value of another -- Proof of trespassing by animal in mitigation or justification of offense; tender of compensation
Upon the trial, the defendant may prove in mitigation or justification, as the jury may determine, that, at the time of the killing, disabling, disfiguring, destruction or injury, the animal killed, disabled, disfigured, destroyed or injured was trespassing and had within six months previously thereto trespassed upon a growing crop, inclosed by a lawful fence or while such animal was running at large in violation of law. No conviction must be had, if it is shown that, before the commencement of the prosecution, compensation for the injury was made or tendered to the owner.
§ 3-1-11.1. Killing or disabling livestock; penalty
(a) Any person, who unlawfully, wantonly or maliciously, kills, disables, disfigures, destroys, or injures the livestock of another while said livestock is on the premises of the owner of said livestock or on the premises of a person having charge thereof shall be guilty of a Class "C" felony.
(b) In addition to being guilty of a Class "C" felony, any person who unlawfully, wantonly or maliciously, kills, disables, disfigures, destroys, or injures the livestock of another while such livestock is on the premises of the owner of the livestock, or on the premises of a person having charge thereof, shall be liable for damages sustained by the killing, disabling, disfiguring, or destroying of said livestock in an amount equal to double the value thereof.
(c) For purposes of this section, livestock is defined as horses, cows, swine, goats, sheep, mules, and asses.
§ 3-1-13. Right of officers, etc., of humane societies to take charge of and care for neglected or abused animals; written notice to owner from whom animal taken; lien for expenses for care and keeping of animal
Any duly authorized officer or employee of a recognized humane society shall have the right to take charge of any animal which is sick or disabled due to neglect or is being cruelly treated or abused and to provide care for such animal until it is deemed to be in suitable condition to be returned to its owner or to the person from whose custody such animal was taken. The officer so taking such animal shall at the time of taking the animal give written notice to the owner or person from whose custody it was taken. The necessary expenses incurred for the care and keeping of the animal after such notice by the humane society shall be a lien thereon and, if the animal is not reclaimed within 10 days from the giving of such notice, the humane society may sell the animal to satisfy such lien. If the humane society determines that the animal cannot be sold, it may cause the animal to be otherwise disposed of.
§ 3-1-16. Employment by county commissions of persons to enforce laws for prevention of cruelty to animals; compensation, oath and powers of same
The county commissions of the respective counties of this state may employ a suitable person or persons who shall be charged specially with the duty of enforcing all laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and to fix the compensation of such officer or officers, which shall be paid in the same manner as other salaries of county employees are paid, and such officer or officers, upon taking the oath as required to be taken by deputy sheriffs, shall be vested with all powers now vested by law in deputy sheriffs.
§ 3-1-23. Burning, cauterizing, etc., of teeth of horse, mule, etc., for purpose of fraudulently making horse, etc., appear younger -- Prohibited
Any person burning, cauterizing or mechanically changing the natural appearance or condition of the teeth of any horse, mule or other soliped in order to fraudulently make such animal appear younger than the animal really is shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
§ 3-1-24. Burning, cauterizing, etc., of teeth of horse, mule, etc., for purpose of fraudulently making horse, etc., appear younger -- Evidence as to burning, etc., of teeth to be substantiated by veterinarian
The evidence required for the conviction of any person for violating any provision of section 3-1-23 must be substantiated as to the burning, cauterizing or changing of the natural appearance or condition of the teeth of such horse, mule or other soliped by a graduate licensed veterinarian and, when necessary, the state veterinarian or a graduate veterinarian selected by the state veterinarian shall determine and testify to the changes that have been made in the teeth of such animal or animals.
§ 3-1-25. Burning, cauterizing, etc., of teeth of horse, mule, etc., for purpose of fraudulently making horse, etc., appear younger -- Effect of possession of such horse, etc
The possession of any horse, mule or other soliped which has had its teeth burned, cauterized or mechanically changed in order to make such animal appear younger than it really is shall be prima facie evidence of intent to violate the provisions of section 3-1-23.
§ 3-1-26. Burning, cauterizing, etc., of teeth of horse, mule, etc., for purpose of fraudulently making horse, etc., appear younger -- Transportation, etc., of such horse into state
Any person transporting or moving into Alabama, for any purpose whatsoever, any horse, mule or other soliped which has had its teeth burned, cauterized or changed in any manner to make such animal appear younger than it really is shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
TITLE 13A. CRIMINAL CODE
CHAPTER 11. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY
ARTICLE 1. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND DECENCY
§ 13A-11-14. Cruelty to animals
(a) A person commits the crime of cruelty to animals if, except as otherwise authorized by law, he intentionally or recklessly:
- (1) Subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment; or
(2) Subjects any animal in his custody to cruel neglect; or
(3) Kills or injures without good cause any animal belonging to another.
