• For Animal Control calls complete the Animal Control Report Form within this document or call 669-8766.
• Domestic Livestock calls must be directed to the Sheriff's Office 669-4181.

LEASH LAW:

Leash Law - This law applied only to dogs. Animal Control can only collect a dog in violation of the leash law if it does not have a current rabies tag. The State of Alabama Department of Health and Shelby County recognizes a current rabies immunization as being a vaccination within a one year period. Should a citizen contact Animal Control with a complaint concerning a possible leash law violation, the county will mail a notice letter to the possible dog owner. The complainant can elect to report to the Sheriff's Office for the processing of a written complaint and subsequently take action through the District Attorney's office if need be. The owner of a dog in violation of the leash law can be subject to a misdemeanor offense and payment of a fine of $2.00 to $50.00 if a warrant is processed against them.

DOGS & CATS:

Dogs and cats will be captured and transported, if possible, as determined by the Animal Control Officer in the field, to the Animal Shelter located on McDow Road in Columbiana if they are not wearing evidence of a current rabies immunization. The Animal Shelter is operated by the Humane Society of Shelby County Inc. through a contract with the county.

ANIMAL BITES - EXPOSURES:

Rabies is a fatal disease which is transmitted through the saliva or central nervous system tissue of an infected animal to another animal via bite or contact with an abrasion, wound, or any mucous membrane (exposure).

There is a ten (10) day period in which rabies infected dogs and cats will begin to display systems of rabies. Hence, the ten (10) day mandatory quarantine for cats and dogs.

An official exposure occurs when it is confirmed by a physician. Doctors and emergency rooms are required by law to report exposures to the County Health Department or Rabies Officer. Others may report the bite/exposure, but quarantine or sacrifice cannot be required until the exposure is official and confirmed by a physician.

If an animal has to be killed, do not damage the head. After death, the animal should be refrigerated or frozen until it is taken to the Animal Shelter, health department offices or laboratory.

Animal bites should be reported to the Shelby County Health Department between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. While persons bitten may need immediate medical attention, the bite report is not an emergency. However, it should be reported the day or the next working day.

The Shelby County Rabies Officer is appointed by the County Board of Health. The Rabies Officer must be a duly licensed veterinarian and shall be responsible for seeing that all dogs and cats in the county are vaccinated against rabies as required by law, to prosecute those who fail to do so and to assist the County Health Department when needed.

Shelby County Animal Control will assist in the capture and transportation of un owned/stray, unvaccinated animals which have bitten a human. The un owned animal will be transported to the Animal Shelter for processing.

The Humane Society of Shelby County operates the Animal Shelter and is responsible for holding animals collected by Animal Control. If the animal has bitten or exposed a human, the Humane Society will humanely destroy the animal and store the head until its sent to the State Lab for rabies examination.

The Animal Shelter will not quarantine an owned animal who has bitten someone. All animals transported to the Animal Shelter following an official exposure will be destroyed and head provided to the County Health Department. Should an owned animal be transported to the Animal Shelter, the Humane Society will attempt to notify the owner and said animal shall be picked up immediately by the owner and transported by the owner to a licensed veterinarian. The owner will be responsible for paying the expenses associated with the temporary holding of said animal. If the animal is not picked up within seven (7) days from compoundment, it shall be destroyed pursuant to Alabama Law.

Owned animals are the responsibility of the owner and must be quarantined under the control of a licensed veterinarian.

ANY PERSONS BITTEN OR EXPOSED SHOULD SHOULD SEE THEIR PHYSICIAN!

If an animal must be killed in the field, do not damage the head and immediately deliver to the Animal Shelter. If the Animal Shelter is closed, the animal should be refrigerated or placed in the freezer until it can be delivered either to the Animal Shelter or County Health.

OTHER ANIMALS: (Raccoons, snakes, etc.)

Animal Control will provide limited capturing and/or destroying of animals who are endangering citizens. Animal Control cannot perform services due to animal causing property damage.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Animals that are destroyed and located on county roads and right of ways will be picked up by the County Highway Department (205-669-3880).
• Citizens are responsible for managing the remains of destroyed animals located on private property.  Any remains not managed within the citizen's property must be transported to the Animal Shelter in Columbiana for cremation.  Animal remains cannot be placed with the the garbage containers and/or processed by your garbage service provider.  The County Landfill cannot accept animal remains.
• Domestic Livestock - Animal Control cannot independently capture and transport livestock. The Sheriff's Office (205-669-4181) must first be contacted and the applicable report prepared.  Upon the request of the Sheriff's Office, Animal Control can perform services.