Montgomery's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Montgomery, Alabama, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Breed Restrictions

Montgomery, Alabama has no breed-specific ban: City Code Sec. 4-121 defines a vicious animal by its conduct and expressly states no dog may be declared vicious based solely on its breed. An owner accused of harboring a vicious animal may present evidence of provocation.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 4-121. Breed rule: No dog declared vicious by breed alone. Basis for viciousness: Attack, bite or severe injury off owner's property. Owner defense: Provocation or justified action. Vicious-animal fine: $500.00 flat, Sec. 4-2(c).

Article IV, Vicious animals, carries its own penalty track under Sec. 4-2(c): a flat $500.00 fine upon conviction, higher than the escalating first/second/third-offense schedule used elsewhere in Chapter 4. An animal under investigation for viciousness under Sec. 4-123 may be impounded per Sec. 4-42(4) while the case is pending in Montgomery Municipal Court.

Cat Rules

Montgomery, Alabama requires every cat over three months old to be vaccinated against rabies annually and to wear a collar or harness with an inoculation tag whenever off the owner's premises. A cat lacking a tag can be impounded under the same rules that apply to dogs.

Key details: Governing sections: City Code Sec. 4-82, 4-83, 4-86. Rabies shot: Annual, required by state law. Collar/tag age: Cats over 3 months, off premises. First fine: $50.00 minimum. Impound fee: $35 pickup + $20/day.

Violations of Chapter 4, Article III (rabies control), which covers Sec. 4-82 through 4-86, carry a minimum $50.00 fine for a first conviction, $250.00 for a second conviction within 12 months, and $500.00 for a third or subsequent conviction, under Sec. 4-2(b). An impounded cat lacking a tag can be reclaimed only after proof of inoculation and payment of the $35.00 pickup fee plus $20.00 per day of shelter housing.

Dog Leash Laws

Montgomery, Alabama bans letting a dog run at large: a dog off its owner's property must be fenced in, enclosed in a vehicle, or on a leash no longer than six feet with a properly fitted collar or harness. Violators face impoundment and fees up to $35 plus $20 per day.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 4-13. Leash limit: 6 feet, collar or harness with swivel. Pickup fee: $35.00. Daily housing fee: $20.00 per day. Impound hold: 5 days before shelter ownership.

A first conviction under Sec. 4-13 carries a minimum $50.00 fine (Sec. 4-2(a)(1)), $250.00 for a second conviction within 12 months, and $500.00 for a third or later conviction in that period. Reclaiming an impounded dog costs a $35.00 pickup fee, split with the city general fund, plus $20.00 per day of shelter housing, and unclaimed dogs after five days become shelter property.

Bird Protection

Montgomery, Alabama has declared its entire corporate territory a bird sanctuary. City Code Sec. 4-12 makes it unlawful to maim, kill or injure any wild or migrating bird anywhere within city limits.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 4-12. Scope: Entire city declared a bird sanctuary. Prohibited acts: Maiming, killing, or injuring wild/migrating birds. First fine: $50.00 minimum. Codified by: Ord. No. 15-2022, 5-3-2022.

Sec. 4-12 falls under Chapter 4, Article I, General provisions, so a violation carries the minimum fine schedule in Sec. 4-2(a): $50.00 for a first conviction, $250.00 for a second conviction within 12 months, and $500.00 for a third or subsequent conviction in that period, prosecuted in Montgomery Municipal Court.

This is one of the stricter rules in Montgomery's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Microchipping

Montgomery, Alabama requires every dog or cat over nine months old to be microchipped and registered with a national microchip registry unless a narrow exception applies. City Code Sec. 4-88 lets a cited owner avoid the charge by microchipping before the court date.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 4-88. Age requirement: Dogs and cats over 9 months. Update window: 30 days after address/ownership change. Dismissal option: Microchip before court date, Sec. 4-88(d). Phase-in: Dogs required within 12 months of 5-3-2022.

As a Chapter 4, Article III violation, a first conviction under Sec. 4-88 carries a minimum $50.00 fine, rising to $250.00 for a second conviction within 12 months and $500.00 for a third or later conviction, under Sec. 4-2(b). An owner charged under the ordinance can have the case dismissed by presenting proof of microchipping and registration to the municipal court before the scheduled hearing date.

Exotic Pets

Montgomery, Alabama bans keeping or possessing any wild animal or wild bird within city limits unless state or federal law specifically permits it. City Code Sec. 4-11 defines a wild animal broadly as anything not cultivated, tamed or adjusted to a human environment.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 4-11. Rule: No wild animal or wild bird without state/federal permit. Definition source: Sec. 4-1, "wild animal". First fine: $50.00 minimum. Codified by: Ord. No. 15-2022, 5-3-2022.

A first conviction under Sec. 4-11 carries a minimum $50.00 fine under Sec. 4-2(a)(1), rising to $250.00 for a second conviction and $500.00 for a third or subsequent conviction within 12 months. An animal control officer may impound the wild animal under the general impoundment authority in Sec. 4-42 while the case proceeds in Montgomery Municipal Court.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Montgomery actively enforces its exotic pets requirements.

The Bottom Line

Montgomery is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Montgomery, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Montgomery can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.