A new bill filed in the Alabama Legislature would criminalize the act of abandoning a domesticated cat or dog.

The bill, HB249, would categorize abandonment of a dog or cat as a cruel act with the penalty equating to a Class A misdemeanor.

Under Alabama law, a Class A misdemeanor for cruelty to an animal could result in a one year jail sentence or up to $3,000 fine.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, defines abandon as, “to forsake entirely or leave a dog or cat at a location without providing minimum reasonable care.”

According to the bill, an officer who sees, has evidence or reasonable belief that a pet was abandoned can do two things.

The officer can remove the dog or cat from the location they found them or have the owner provide care to the animal, at the owner’s expense, at the location the animal was abandoned.

In most states in the U.S. it is already a crime to abandon a dog or cat.

The bill has been referred to the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee.