Sworn statement; dangerous dog investigation; hearing; procedures.

(a)(1) When a person claims that a dog is dangerous, the person shall make a sworn statement before a city magistrate or sheriff setting forth the name of the dog owner, if known, the location where the dog is being kept in the city or county, and the reason he or she believes the dog to be dangerous.

(2) The sworn statement shall be delivered to an animal control officer who shall complete a dangerous dog investigation.When the sworn statement claims that a dog has caused serious physical injury or death to a person, the duties of the animal control officer, including but not limited to the dangerous dog investigation, shall be carried out by a law enforcement officer.

(b) An animal control officer may initiate a dangerous dog investigation in cases where a complaint has been made pursuant to subsection (a) and a person has been bitten, received physical injury or serious physical injury, or has died.

(c)(1) In the event a dangerous dog investigation leads an animal control officer to believe the allegation is founded, all of the following shall occur:

a. The animal control officer shall file a summons for the owner of the dog, if known, with the municipal court or district court.

b. The dog in question shall be impounded at the county pound as described in Section 3-7A-7, or the county or municipality may enter into an agreement with an animal shelter or licensed veterinarian to impound the dog; provided, however, the owner of the dog shall be provided the opportunity to choose a veterinarian of his or her choosing to impound the dog in lieu of the county pound or animal shelter. If the dog is impounded with a veterinarian chosen by the owner of the dog, the owner of the dog shall be liable for paying to the veterinarian the cost and expenses incurred in impounding, feeding, and providing veterinary care or treatment for the dog. If the county or municipality impounds the dog, the owner of the dog shall be liable to the county or municipality for the costs and expenses incurred in impounding, feeding, and providing veterinary care or treatment for the dog.

c. The animal control officer shall send a copy of the investigation report to the county attorney, municipal attorney, or municipal prosecutor.

(2) In lieu of the investigation, the owner of the alleged dangerous dog may consent to the dog being humanely euthanized.

(d) In the event the dangerous dog investigation leads the animal control officer to believe the allegation is unfounded, the animal control officer shall advise the complainant of his or her findings and the animal control officer shall submit the results of the investigation to his or her supervisor.

(e) A copy of all investigations made pursuant to this section shall be kept on file in the animal control office or sheriff's office.

(f) The county attorney, municipal attorney, or municipal prosecutor may file a petition in the district court or municipal court to declare dangerous the dog that caused physical injury, serious physical injury, or death to a person in the jurisdiction of the county or municipality. The owner of the dog, if known, shall be served with a copy of the petition.

(g) A dog that is the subject of a dangerous dog investigation may not be relocated and ownership may not be transferred pending the outcome of the investigation and hearing to determine whether to declare the dog to be dangerous.

(h) The court hearing shall be held as soon as practicable. At the hearing, the county attorney, municipal attorney, or municipal prosecutor shall present evidence that the dog is dangerous. To declare the dog dangerous, the court shall find by reasonable satisfaction that the dog bit, attacked, or caused physical injury, serious physical injury, or death to a person without justification.

(1) If the court determines that the dog is dangerous and has caused serious physical injury or death to a person, the court shall order the dog to be humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian or an authorized animal control official.

(2) If the court determines that the dog is dangerous, but has not caused serious physical injury or death to a person, the court shall determine whether the dog has a propensity to cause future serious physical injury or death. If the court determines by reasonable satisfaction that the dog has such a propensity, the court may order the dog to be humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian or an authorized animal control officer or the court may order the dog be returned to its owner pursuant to all of the following conditions:

a. The dog shall be held in impound until the owner complies with all orders of the court, but if the owner fails to comply with all orders of the court within 30 days of the court's order, the dog shall be humanely euthanized.

b. The dangerous dog shall be microchipped.

c. The owner of the dangerous dog shall provide a copy of the certificate of the current rabies vaccination of the dog.

d. The dangerous dog shall be spayed or neutered.

e. The owner of the dangerous dog shall be required to pay all expenses involved with the investigation, pickup, and impoundment, and any court costs or fees related to the hearing to determine whether the dog is dangerous.

f. The owner of the dangerous dog shall be required to pay an annual dangerous dog registration fee of one hundred dollars ($100) to the county or municipality for a dog deemed dangerous by a court or pay a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) to the county or municipality for non-registration within two weeks.

g.1. The owner shall be required to obtain a surety bond of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and shall provide proof to the court or animal control office.

2. The surety bond required by subparagraph 1. shall provide coverage for dog bites, injuries, or death caused by the dog.

3. The owner shall provide proof of the surety bond each time the annual dangerous dog registration fee is paid.

h. The owner of the dangerous dog shall provide proof to the court that he or she has constructed a proper enclosure for a dangerous dog pursuant to Section 3-6A-3.

(i) The pleading and practice in all cases to petition the court to declare a dog to be dangerous under this section shall be in accordance with the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure and rules of the courts governing municipal courts in this state unless otherwise specified by this chapter. Any judicial determination in municipal court or district court that a dog is dangerous may be appealed to the circuit court pursuant to the requirements of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure and the order of the circuit court shall be final.

(j) It shall be presumed that a dog is not a dangerous dog pursuant to this chapter if the dog was on property owned by the owner of the dog when the event subject to a claim under this chapter occurred or if the victim was trespassing on any property when the event subject to a claim under this chapter occurred.

(Act 2018-182, §4.)