Dog leash laws in Huntsville? (Madison, Triana: house, move, trains)

[lmlitz]

I was wondering what the laws are concerning dogs roaming around without a leash? My neighbors across the street contently let their dog out by itself without supervision. It comes into our yard and starts jumping all over me and my children (who are ages 5 and 3). I am worried this dog could easily get run over by a passing car or cause an accident of some sort. I also do not want to start finding, shall I say, dog "land mines" all over my yard where my kids play. I have already spoken briefly to my neighbor asking him to please put his dog on a leash after I found the dog in my house! (I had my door open briefly when running back in the house for my wallet and the dog just came right in). Don't get me wrong, I love dogs, but the owners of this particular dog don't seem to take proper responsibility.

[harry chickpea]

Take it to the pound and let them pay to retrieve it.

[Reactionary]

Huntsville has a leash law:

Duty to restrain.

Dogs. It shall be the duty of every owner or person in charge of a dog to keep the animal under effective restraint, while the dog is within the city, whether or not the dog is upon or away from his premises. It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of any dog to fail to keep the animal under effective restraint. Proof that a dog is not properly restrained, whether on or off the premises of the owner or person in charge, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation.

Duty of owner for removal of feces.

It shall be the duty of the owner or person in charge of any dog or cat to remove and dispose of any feces deposited by the animal upon the grounds of any public park or public place, upon any residential lot of another occupied for human habitation, or upon any adjacent right-of-way, and will be done on demand by the owner or occupant or the director or any animal control officer.

DIVISION 1. - GENERALLY

[Becky2517]

Here ya go -
3-1-5 CODE of ALABAMA:
Prohibits the running at large of dogs beyond the owner’s property. Does not require dogs to be under leash, but under the control of the owner.
Madison County Commission 1987 Resolution requires dogs be confined to premises.

However, can't be chained - Sec. 5-46. - Chaining of dogs or cats.
[LEFT] Animals shall not be tied or chained in a manner that presents a hazard to themselves or to the general public. [/LEFT]

Here's a useful link to all CoO's - http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=12962

[Reactionary]

Huntsville has a leash law, so dogs must be leashed or confined at all times.

Becky = "However, can't be chained"

Not exactly. Here's how animals can be chained:

Restrains an animal with a leash or humane restraining device that is not less than ten feet long, unless walking or training such animal, and such restraint must be fixed in such a manner to allow the animal free use of the restraint without it becoming tangled. The restraint must also be an appropriate weight for the animal and must be affixed to a proper tethering collar with a swivel attachment. An allowable tethering collar shall be a collar which is properly fitted to the dog, made of a suitable material other than metal that does not cause damage to the dog's skin, and affixes the dog to a fixed point tether or runner;

ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL

[Becky2517]

Good to know, I literally meant not chained, as in no metal chains...pleased to see that :-)

[Loretta 4300]

I just moved to hazelgreen and everybody dogs roam free, there in my yard all the time and crapts all over my yard, what can I do?

[AguaDulce]

Originally Posted by Loretta 4300

I just moved to hazelgreen and everybody dogs roam free, there in my yard all the time and crapts all over my yard, what can I do?

Pick up the phone and call the right person--


Madison County Animal Control
Address: 3210 South Hi-Lo Circle, Huntsville, AL 35811
Hours: 7:30 am-3:30 pm, Monday-Friday
Phone: (256) 532-1519 or (256)532-1651
Fax: (256) 532-1571
mcac@madisoncountyal.gov
Mike Fritz, Director

City of Huntsville Animal Services Department
Phone: 256-883-3788
The City of Huntsville has a lost animal map that shows from what areas animals are picked up within the last 72 hours from all of Madison County.

Animal Complaints within the City of Huntsville
Phone: 256-883-3788

Huntsville Animal Shelter
Phone: 256-883-3782
Address: 4950 Triana Blvd., Huntsville, AL 35805
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday-9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday-9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Madison City Animal Control
Phone: 256-772-5694
Address: 100 Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758

Greater Huntsville Humane Society
Phone: 256-881-8081
Address: 2812 Johnson Rd. SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
Hours:
Sunday-closed
Monday-Saturday-10am-4:30pm

The Ark Inc.
Phone: 256-851-4088
Shelter Address: 139 Bo Cole Rd NW, Huntsville, AL 35806
Hours:
Sunday & Monday-closed
Tuesday-Saturday-11am-4pm

[writerwife]

Just please don't punish the dog because of a stupid owner. If it's actually a law, can police or animal control knock on the person's door and talk to them before tossing the dog in the pound? (What if they don't pick up their dog from the pound?)

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by writerwife

Just please don't punish the dog because of a stupid owner. If it's actually a law, can police or animal control knock on the person's door and talk to them before tossing the dog in the pound? (What if they don't pick up their dog from the pound?)

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Dogs do what dogs do ... it's up to the owners to keep them in check. Dogs are smart, but they're not smart enough to respect leash laws on their own.