Stray dog shootings in Alabama county with no animal control

Pickens County resident takes on stray animal crisis single-handedly from her home

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A softly focused, atmospheric photograph in the style of Saul Leiter, depicting a blurred, out-of-focus scene of a stray dog wandering through a residential neighborhood at dusk, with warm pools of light and color surrounding the animal.The lack of animal control services in Pickens County has left stray dogs vulnerable, with some even resorting to violence as a desperate measure.Aliceville Today

Alabama state law requires every county to have animal control services, but Pickens County appears to be neglecting this mandate. After two stray dogs were shot, one fatally, in the town of Aliceville, the lack of a county-run animal shelter or impound facility has come to light. A local resident named Kari Rodgers has stepped in to try and handle stray animal issues across the entire county on her own, setting up makeshift kennels at her home to care for dozens of rescued dogs.

Why it matters

The absence of any official animal control services in Pickens County has led to a crisis of stray and abandoned dogs roaming the streets, with no clear system in place to humanely address the problem. This has resulted in incidents of violence against the animals, like the recent shootings, as well as an overwhelming burden on compassionate residents like Rodgers who are trying to fill the void left by the lack of county-provided animal welfare resources.

The details

According to the Aliceville police chief, Pickens County has no animal control department or contract to provide those services, despite a state law requiring it. After two stray dogs were shot, one fatally, in Aliceville, the issue has come to light. The surviving dog, nicknamed Hank Jr., suffered gunshot wounds to his legs and is now having one leg amputated. Some believe a police officer may have been responsible for the shootings, which are under investigation. With no official animal control, the Aliceville police chief says he often gets calls about stray dogs but can't do much to address the problem. Resident Kari Rodgers, who started an animal rescue called Pickens Paws and Purrs, has taken it upon herself to set up makeshift kennels at her home to care for dozens of rescued strays, though she's heartbroken she can't save them all.

  • This week, two stray dogs were shot in Aliceville, Alabama.

The players

Kari Rodgers

A Carrollton, Alabama resident who started the animal rescue Pickens Paws and Purrs to help address the stray dog crisis in Pickens County, where she has set up makeshift kennels at her home to care for dozens of rescued animals.

Tonnie Jones

The police chief of Aliceville, Alabama, who says his department often receives calls about stray dogs but can't do much to address the problem due to the lack of an official animal control service in Pickens County.

Hank Jr.

A stray dog that was shot and injured in Aliceville, Alabama, and is now having one of his legs amputated.

Pickens County

A county in Alabama that appears to be neglecting the state law requiring all counties to have an animal control department or contracted services, leading to a crisis of stray and abandoned dogs.

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What they’re saying

“They do have a lot stricter laws up there when it comes to animals.”

— Kari Rodgers, Resident and animal rescue founder

“It's a serious problem here in town that we need to address. So just getting the humane solutions for the county would be a big help.”

— Kari Rodgers, Resident and animal rescue founder

“I'm investigating that as well, to see exactly what happened, even if it were an officer that did the incident, so it is under investigation.”

— Tonnie Jones, Aliceville Police Chief

What’s next

The Aliceville police chief says he is investigating the shootings of the two stray dogs to determine exactly what happened, including whether a police officer was involved. Kari Rodgers, the local resident running the Pickens Paws and Purrs animal rescue, is hoping to work with Pickens County officials to establish an official animal control facility and services to address the ongoing stray animal crisis in the area.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the serious consequences of Pickens County failing to uphold the state law requiring all counties to have an animal control department or contracted services. The lack of a proper system to humanely manage stray and abandoned dogs has led to acts of violence against the animals, as well as an overwhelming burden on compassionate residents trying to fill the void. Establishing an official county-run animal shelter and control services is crucial to addressing this public safety and animal welfare issue.