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
20). 22). 23). 24). Missing that 30-day window means the dog is humanely euthanized. 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
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.