Dog Laws in Blount County

This is a compilation of research regarding companion animal ordinances in Blount County municipalities. Local law is in addition to state law, with the single exception of the dog confinement statute which is not applicable in Oneonta municipal limits. Violations should be reported to the municipal town/city hall or police.

Unincorporated Areas of Blount County

Unincorporated areas are governed by state laws. This includes Alabama’s dog confinement statute, which was adopted by the Blount County Commission in August 2024. Report violations in the unincorporated area to Blount County Dispatch, 205-625-4913. See Animal Control for more information.

At-Large Laws At-a-Glance

The Ordinance column indicates whether there is a municipal (city or town) at-large law; the Statute column indicates whether the state confinement law is applicable in the municipality. Both are explained at Dogs-at-Large Laws in Alabama.

Click each city/town name for details about at-large and other pet-related laws in each town, including an explanation of the unusual ordinances indicated by the asterisks.

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Allgood

Allgood’s only animal-related ordinance is Dog Ordinance (2025). Allgood has no police. Report violations of the noise ordinance to Town Hall, 205-274-7138; report other concerns or violations to Blount County Dispatch.

• Running at large is prohibited in Allgood by state law.
• Noise: Dog owners are prohibited from permitting “loud and frequent or continued barking, howling, or yelping” [Ordinance Section 5].

Altoona

Altoona’s only dog-related ordinance is Dog Control Ordinance 2025-5-01. The ordinance applies to all of municipal Altoona, including the portion of municipal Altoona in Blount County. Allgood has no police, according to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. Report violations to Blount County Dispatch.

• Nuisance: Dog owners are prohibited from permitting “loud and frequent or continued barking, howling, or yelping”; dogs which “do trespass upon and do injury to” public or private property may be impounded; kenneling, such as for breeding, or establishing a dog hospital requires written consent of neighbors [Ordinance Section 6].
• Animals per residence is limited [Ordinance Section 8].

Dog confinement is required in Altoona by Section 1(5), Section 2, and Section 3. Penalty is set forth in Section 3 as impoundment and fines of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and $500 for subsequent offenses.

Section 1(5): The term “at large” shall mean off the premises of the owner, and not under the control of the owner or his agent either by leash, cord, chain, or otherwise. Section 2: It shall be unlawful for any dog to run at large upon the streets, highways or alleys within the corporate limits of the Town of Altoona, or for any owner or keeper of any dog to run at large upon the streets, highways or alleys within the corporate limits of the Town of Altoona. Section 3: Whenever a dog is found […] contrary to the provisions of this ordinance…

The state confinement law also applies. When making a report or complaint about a neighbor’s unconfined dog, we recommend mentioning both the Altoona Dog Control Ordinance and the state confinement law (§ 3-1-5). This is because although Section 1(5) requires confinement in all circumstances, the violation (Section 2) and penalties (Section 3) may be interpreted as applying only to running at large on “streets, highways or alleys.”

Blountsville

Blountsville has many animal-related ordinances which can be read at Municode. Report violations of municipal code, including at-large violations, to Town Hall, 205-429-2406. Reports are addressed by Code Enforcement Officer Phillip Hathcock via a notice for the first violation and then a citation for a second offense. Cases are handled in Blountsville Court; impoundment is handled by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. Report other concerns or violations to Blountsville Police, 205-429-2406.

• Animals per residence is limited by § 3-4(e) and § 3-23.
• Other laws: Bird sanctuary [§ 3-1–2]; prohibition riding of horses or similar animals on public roads at night [§ 3-3].

Running at large is prohibited in Blountsville by Ordinance § 3-4(c) Animals at Large Prohibited. Applicable animals are defined in § 3-4(a) as, briefly, a dog or cat six months or older and an “exotic animal” to be “any animal which is not domesticated, or any animal not native to North America.” The state confinement law also applies. Penalty is set forth in § 3-4(a) as a fine of up to $100 or imprisonment up to 10 days.

It shall be unlawful for any dog, cat or exotic animal to be at large within the town and off the premises of the owner or keeper. The owner and/or keeper of any dog, cat or exotic animal failing to keep said animal on the owner’s and/or keeper’s premises shall be guilty of a violation of this section and shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsection (a). Provided however, nothing in this section shall prevent the owner or keeper of any dog or cat from allowing said dog or cat to accompany such owner or keeper elsewhere than on the premises on which such dog or cat is regularly kept.

Cleveland

Cleveland’s only dog-related ordinance is Cleveland Ordinance 2018-06 Dog Ordinance. Report violations of municipal code or other concerns or violations to Cleveland Police, 205-274-9640. 

• Animals per residence is limited to 12 dogs six weeks of age or older [2018-06 Section 3].
• Noise: Dog owners are prohibited from permitting “loud and frequent or continued barking, howling, or yelping” [2018-06 Section 5].

Running at large is prohibited in Cleveland by Ordinance 2018-06 Section 2. The state confinement law also applies. Penalty [Section 4: Penalty] is a warning issued via citation for the first offense, a $25 fine for the second, etc.

It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of any premises to case, permit, or allow any dog residing there, either temporarily or permanently, to be off of such premises or property, unless such is under the control of a competent person, either by leash, cord, chain, or other restraint attached to a collar of sufficient strength to physically control said dog at all times.

County Line

County Line has no animal-related ordinances and no police. State animal laws, including dog confinement, still apply. Report violations to Blount County Dispatch.

Garden City

Garden City ordinances are not applicable in Blount County because Blount County is outside of municipal limits. State animal laws, including dog confinement, still apply. Report violations to Blount County Dispatch.

Hayden

Hayden has no dog-related ordinances. State animal laws, including dog confinement, still apply. Report violations to Hayden Police, 205-543-6888, or to Blount County Dispatch.

Highland Lake

Highland Lake’s dog-related ordinances include 11-02, adopted in 2011, and amendments in 2011 and  2013. Report violations to Town Hall, 205-625-6407, or Highland Lake Police, 205-625-6407.

• Leashing or other physical restraint is required for dogs brought onto Town property [2013].
• Dogs in heat must be inaccessible to male dogs [11-02 Section 2].
• Noise: Dog owners are prohibited from permitting “loud and frequent or continued barking, howling, or yelping” [11-02 Section 4].
• Cleanliness: Premises where a dog is kept are required to be “clean and sanitary” [11-02 Section 6].

Running at large is prohibited in Highland Lake by Ordinance 11-02 Section 2: Dogs Running at Large Prohibited (a). The state confinement law also applies. Penalty [Section 8: Violations and Penalties] is up to $100 for the first violation and up to $500 for additional violations.

It shall be unlawful for any dog to be at large to the point of becoming a nuisance to other property owners or to public safety.

Locust Fork

Locust Fork’s only dog-related ordinance is Ordinance 49. Locust Fork has no police department. Report violations of the leashing ordinance or dogs at large on Town property to Town Hall, 205-681-4581; report other concerns or violations to Blount County Dispatch.

• Running at large is prohibited in Locust Fork by state law, and running at large on Town property is prohibited by ordinance.
• Leashing or other physical restraint is required for dogs brought onto Town property [Ordinance 49(2)].

Running at large is prohibited in Locust Fork by state law and and on Town property by Locust Fork Ordinance 49 (2) Dogs to Be Under Control When on Town Property. Penalty [subsection (4)] for violation of the ordinance is a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to six months, with each day of the violation a separate offense.

It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of any premises to cause, permit or allow any dog, either temporarily or permanently, to be on Town of Locust Fork property unless such is under the control of a competent person, either by leash, cord, or other restraint sufficient to physically control said dog at all times.

When reporting an at-large violation, make clear whether you are reporting under the ordinance (e.g., neighbor’s dog loose on Town property) or under the state law (e.g., neighbor’s dog on your property).

Nectar

Nectar has no dog-related ordinances and no police. State animal laws, including dog confinement, still apply. Report violations to Blount County Dispatch.

Oneonta

Oneonta has many animal-related ordinances which can be read at Municode. Impoundment is handled by the Public Works department, whose 9–10 staff members are all certified in animal control and work an on-call rotation of one week at a time. Report violations of municipal code, including at-large violations, to City Hall, 205-274-2150; report other concerns or violations to Oneonta Police, 205-625-4351.

• Dog licensing is required annually; the charge is $5; the fee for a delinquent license is $25 [§ 3-31–32].
• Noise: Dog owners are prohibited from permitting “loud and frequent or continued barking, howling, or yelping” [§ 3-36].
• Other: Bird sanctuary [§ 3-1].

Dog confinement is required in Oneonta by Ordinance § 3-34. The state confinement law is inapplicable due to § 3-31.

It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of any premises to cause, permit or allow any dog residing there, either temporarily or permanently, to be off of such premises or property…

It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of any dog to cause, permit or allow such dog to be off the premises or property of the owner or the person in charge…

A warning is issued upon the first attempt. If violations continue, officers can issue a non-traffic citation if they witness the violation. If not, the resident can press charges by bringing the Report to the Oneonta Municipal Court magistrate. Penalty [§ 3-35 Impoundment; Oneonta Animal Control] is a $25 fine.

Rosa

Rosa has no animal-related ordinances. State animal laws, including dog confinement, still apply. Rosa has no police. Report violations to Blount County Dispatch.

Snead

Snead’s only dog-related ordinance is Ordinance 2016-03 to Establish the Control of Dogs. Report violations of municipal code, including at-large violations, to Town Hall, 205-466-3200, or Snead Police, 205-466-5900; report other concerns or violations to Snead Police.

• Leashing or other physical restraint is required when a dog is off of the premises of the owner [Section 1].

Dog confinement is required in Snead by Ordinance 2016-03 to Establish the Control of Dogs Section 1. The state confinement law also applies.

(A) It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of any premises to cause, permit or allow any dog residing there, either temporarily or permanently, to be off such premises or property…

(B) It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in charge of any dog to cause, permit or allow such dog to be off the premises or property of the owner or the person in charge…

Penalty [Section 2] is a warning or $25 fine on the first offense, via citation, $250 or a second offense, and for a third offense a $250 fine in addition to possible confiscation or impoundment of the dog. Snead officers do usually cite on the first offense, if the violation is witnessed, as a proactive measure to prevent dog bites.

Susan Moore

Susan Moore has no dog-related ordinances. State animal laws, including dog confinement, still apply. Susan Moore has no police, according to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. Report violations to Blount County Dispatch.

Trafford

Trafford’s only dog-related ordinance is Ordinance No. 85 (1988). It is unclear whether the ordinance is applicable in Blount County; some sources state that a portion of municipal Trafford is in Blount County, however, according to Blount County Sheriff’s Office, Trafford is completely in Jefferson County. The ordinance information is below in case it is applicable. Though Trafford does have police, Blount County addresses are not in its jurisdiction, according to Blount County Sheriff’s Office; so report violations to Blount County Dispatch.

• Leashing is required when a dog is off of the premises of the owner [Section 2].
• Noise: Dog and cat owners are prohibited from permitting “loud and frequent or continued barking, meowing, howling, screaming, fighting or yelping” [Section 3].

Running at large is prohibited in Trafford by Ordinance No. 85 Section 2. The state confinement law also applies. Penalty is set forth in Section 4 as a fine of up to $200 and/or imprisonment or hard labor of up to 180 days.

Running at large prohibited. The term “run at large” shall include all times and places when the animal is not confined or restricted to the owners property by a wall, fence or other means as to effectively prevent its escape or is not attached to a leash in the hands of said owner or person in charge.

Warrior

Warrior has no ordinances applicable in Blount County because none of Blount County is within municipal limits. State animal laws, including dog confinement, still apply. Report violations to Blount County Dispatch.

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Sources

Research Note: As stated in the commentary that arose from this project, only 3 of Blount County’s 14 municipalities publicly post their ordinances. For the other 11, I relied on town officials to provide any and all dog-related ordinances. I had no way to verify when told that the town had no such ordinance, or that the ordinance sent was the only dog-related law, or whether it was the current law. If an official spoke from his or her memory, there was no public records book at the Courthouse or elsewhere in which I could search for myself. This is to say that while I take full responsible for the summaries and interpretation of the ordinances, I cannot know the completeness or accuracy of the source material.

• Allgood Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Coin, Sept. 3–4, 2024; Jan. 27, 2025; and March 11, 2025. Teresa stated that this is Allgood’s only dog-related ordinance. We also spoke about the inapplicability of the state at-large law due to the municipal license tag requirement. Follow-up information sent Apr. 14 to advise the Council regarding repealing the tag requirement so that the statute would apply in Allgood. On a June 20, 2025 call with Teresa, I learned that the Council had revised the ordinance in May! Teresa emailed the ordinance.
• Altoona Town Clerk Teresa Hutchens, Mar. 13, 2025. Follow-up information sent Apr. 15 to advise the Council regarding removing the tag mention so that the statute would apply in Altoona. On a June 20, 2025 call with Teresa, I learned that the Council had revised the ordinance in May! (Just as happened in Allgood!) Teresa emailed the ordinance.
• Blountsville Interim Town Clerk Melissa Sanseen, Sept. 4, 2024 phone call; Court Clerk Lindsey Hyde, Jan. 8, 2025 phone call; and Code Enforcement Officer Phillip Hathcock via text on Mar. 12, 2025.
• Cleveland Town Clerk Miranda Shirley provided the PDF of the current and previous ordinances and the contact instructions in Sept. 2024, Jan. 2025, and on Mar. 11, 2025.
• County Line Town Clerk Lucy Kiley via a call on Sept. 4, 2024. (The town posts ordinances and resolutions, though Lucy stated that the lists are not up-to-date.) 
• Hayden Town Clerk Dana Bradford (who also consulted with the police chief), Mar. 12, 2025 stated that Hayden has no dog-related ordinances, to their knowledge.
• Highland Lake Mayor Gail Bailey offered the option to report to police department for quicker response due to limited hours of the Town Office, Jan. 7, 2025 phone call. Ordinances are posted on the Town website.
• Locust Fork Town Clerk April Hudson provided the PDF on Jan. 7, 2025, stating that it was the town’s only dog-related law.
• Nectar Town Clerk Kristel Jones and Mayor Rickey Box via email on Sept. 11, 2024.
• Oneonta Mayor Richard Phillips provided reporting instructions via August 28, 2024 phone call. For follow-up reporting, I spoke on June 23, 2025 with Ashley at Oneonta PD and a magistrate at Oneonta Municipal Court.
• Rosa Mayor Andy Ellis stated on Jan. 28, 2025 that to the best of his knowledge, Rosa has no dog-related ordinances. Thanks to Cheryl Helton for the assistance in reaching Andy.
• Snead: Assistant Magistrate Ashlynn Salmon via phone call on Jan. 8, 2025; Chief of Police Casey Hathcock, Jan. 27, 2025 phone call; Town Clerk Jammie Osborn, Mar. 10–13, 2025 phone calls and emails. Jammie stated that 2016-03 is Snead’s only dog-related ordinance. For follow-up reporting, I spoke on June 23, 2025 with Officer Roper, who said PD had received over 50 complaints this spring alone and that due to dog bite incidents, officers issue a citation on the first offense, if witnessed. Officer Roper also said that dog owners due usually comply.
• Susan Moore Town Clerk Karen Osborne via phone on Sept. 10, 2024.
• Trafford City Clerk Duane Johnson and Ms. Sherrie of Trafford Court, Mar. 13, were able to uncover what they believe to be Trafford’s only dog-related ordinance.
• Warrior Police Department Lt. Stephen Scott, in a phone call on Jan. 8, 2025, confirmed that no ordinances apply in Blount County: although there are Warrior addresses in Blount County, the address corresponds only to the associated post office.
• Unincorporated Information is from multiple conversations with Sgt. Paul, Dep. Echols, and Sheriff Mark Moon at Blount County Sheriff’s Office.