Mobile County, AL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Mobile County only
- Basis
- Conduct, not breed, per statute text
- Registration deadline
- 30 days after court declaration
- Insurance/bond required
- At least $100,000
- Misdemeanor fine
- $300 first offense, $600 repeat
- Designation removal
- Petition allowed after 18 months
Summary
Mobile County's dangerous and nuisance dog law applies only in the unincorporated area and judges every dog by its conduct, not its breed. A dog that bites or repeatedly damages property can be declared dangerous or a nuisance by the district court after an animal control investigation, triggering strict confinement, insurance and registration duties on the owner.
(5) DANGEROUS DOG. A dog, regardless of its breed, that has bitten, or caused physical injury to a human being without provocation, or has repeatedly bitten or caused physical injury to humans except a dog used by law enforcement officials for legitimate law enforcement purposes, a certified guide dog for the blind, a hearing dog for the deaf, or a service dog for the disabled. ... An owner of a dangerous dog who violates this subpart shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars ($300) for the first offense and not more than six hundred dollars ($600) for each subsequent offense.
Full Breakdown
Mobile County's dangerous and nuisance dog subpart, enacted by Act 2012-235, applies only in Mobile County in those areas of the county outside the corporate limits of any municipality (Section 45-49-170.20). An animal control officer or law enforcement officer must investigate any dog reported to be dangerous or a nuisance; if there is probable cause that an owned dog caused serious physical injury or property damage, the officer impounds it at the county pound or a contracted shelter pending a district court petition filed by the district attorney (Section 45-49-170.22).
A dog cannot be declared dangerous for defending its owner from an unjustified attack, responding to pain or provocation, or reacting to someone disturbing its sleep or food, and growling or barking alone is never enough (Section 45-49-170.23). If the court declares a dog dangerous or a nuisance without ordering euthanasia, the owner has 30 days to register the dog with animal control, providing rabies proof, a current photo, spay or neuter proof, a microchip, a notarized affidavit and a policy of insurance or surety bond of at least $100,000 covering future veterinary or medical costs, plus build a locked, ventilated enclosure sunk two feet into the ground and posted with a warning sign (Section 45-49-170.24).
Missing that 30-day window means the dog is humanely euthanized. An owner may petition to remove the designation 18 months after the court's order if the dog has caused no further problems (Section 45-49-170.25).
Violations & Fines
A first violation by the owner of a declared dangerous or nuisance dog is a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $300, rising to up to $600 for each later offense (Sections 45-49-170.26(a) and 45-49-170.27). If a dog already declared dangerous kills or, unprovoked, attacks and severely injures a person, the owner commits a Class C felony punishable by up to $5,000 and two years in prison, and animal control may confiscate and, after a 10-day notice period allowing a due-process hearing, destroy the dog (Section 45-49-170.26(b)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mobile County ban specific dog breeds?
What must an owner do once a dog is declared dangerous?
Can growling or barking alone get a dog declared dangerous?
What's the penalty for violating a dangerous dog order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mobile County
How Mobile County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Mobile County to another location·View the Alabama animal ordinances overview
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