In an impassioned plea, Allison Black Cornelius, CEO of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, is calling on Alabamians to contact their legislators in support of HB149 and HB249. These proposed laws aim to improve animal welfare in the state by making dog abandonment a misdemeanor, prohibiting the inhumane chaining of dogs, and defining adequate shelter standards.
In an emotional video statement, Cornelius expressed her frustration and sorrow over the current state of animal welfare laws in Alabama. She shared heartbreaking accounts of neglected and abused animals that her organization was unable to save due to legal constraints.
“This has to stop,” she said, recounting the tragic case of a German shepherd found in a skeletal state, left chained at an abandoned property without food or water. The dog ultimately did not survive. Cornelius also detailed the harrowing experience of neighbors who were forced to listen to a chained dog being attacked overnight, unable to intervene under existing laws. WATCH:
RELATED: Dual pieces of legislation seek to strengthen protections for dogs and cats in Alabama
Alabama ranks among the worst states for animal protection laws, currently sitting at 49th in the nation. Cornelius emphasized that passing HB149 and HB249 would be a significant step toward improving the situation.
HB249, sponsored by State Rep. Brock Colvin (R-Marshall), would criminalize pet abandonment.
“HB249 specifically defines the abandonment of a dog and cat and would criminalize the abandonment of a dog and cat,” Colvin told Yellowhammer News.
“Constituents of mine in Marshall County and I have noticed it’s becoming more prevalent to see dogs just wandering on the side of the roads, downtown, and in public areas. First off, abandoning your pet on the side of the road is just wrong and inhumane. Also, it becomes a public safety hazard. The animals can cause traffic accidents, bite or cause injury to a person, or attack someone else’s pet.”
“It’s time we take a targeted approach to criminalize those and go after those individuals who are doing this in our community. HB249 would give prosecutors an avenue to prosecute individuals who are doing this despicable act.”
HB 149, introduced by State Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery), would make chaining dogs under cruel conditions illegal and establish clearer definitions of proper shelter.
Cornelius explained that a major hurdle in enforcing animal protection laws is the inability of animal control officers to remove animals from private property without law enforcement accompaniment or a court order. Citing Alabama Code 13A-11-243, she stressed that her organization’s hands are often tied, leaving suffering animals in dire conditions.
“We don’t want to violate property rights or due process,” Cornelius stated, “but we also don’t want to see any more animals die in these circumstances.”
She urged Alabamians to take immediate action by calling their state representatives and senators, emphasizing the need for civility and persistence in advocating for these changes.
“This is not who we are as a community,” she said. “I need your help.”
For more information, residents can find details about the proposed legislation online and follow the Greater Birmingham Humane Society for updates.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
