Animal Control

The Animal Control Officer (ACO) has primary responsibility to investigate allegations of animal abuse, cruelty to animals, and animal nuisance within the City of Bay Minette.

The ACO also works with outside public service agencies and private partnerships to ensure that complaints of animal abuse, cruelty, or animal nuisances are fully investigated and handled with care and compassion for the animals consistent with the goal of public safety.

Some of these agencies include:

North Baldwin Animal Shelter: www.facebook.com/northbaldwinanimalshelter/

Mobile Cat Society: mobilecatsociety.com

Saraland Animal Control: saraland.org/animal-control

Bestfriends.org:  www.bestfriends.org

Maria Boone, Animal Control Officer

Maria Boone was named Animal Control Officer in 2026. Maria Boone ACO Boone has cared for countless animals, including dogs, cats, chickens, cattle, turtles, hermit crabs, and even a pig. She emphasizes the importance of every animal’s life and believes animals are not expendable objects.

ACO Boone stresses that animals have not only needs, but also wants, and people should fully understand that responsibility before purchasing or adopting a pet. She encourages owners to consider both the mental and physical well-being of an animal before taking one in. Rehoming or abandoning an animal can uproot its entire life and may lead to deeper behavioral issues, including fear and aggression.

ACO Boone also participates in community events to help raise awareness about the need for animal control. 

ACO Boone's Pig, Aibileen

ACO Boone's Rescue Dog Tara

Before and after pictures of ACO Boone's very own Bay Minette rescue dog Tara—she was one of former ACO Hale's cruelty cases. 

PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER

Ashlynn Hale, Animal Control Officer, encourages pet owners to spay or neuter pets to help control the pet overpopulation. Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized each year simply because there are not enough homes. There are also medical and behavior benefits to spaying (female) and neutering (male) pets.

Medical Benefits

• The female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying prevents uterine infections and decreases the incidence of breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50-percent of dogs and 90-percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection against these diseases.
• Neutering your male pet companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate issues.

Behavioral Benefits

• The spayed female pet won’t go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during the breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, the feline will yowl and urinate more frequently (sometimes all over the house).
• The neutered male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male may attempt to escape and roam to find a mate, risking injury in traffic or fights with other animals.
• The neutered male may also be better behaved and will be less likely to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering.

ADOPTION IS AN OPTION

Save a life of a shelter pet by opting to adopt. When you adopt from a shelter, not only do you save the life of your new companion you also make space for other animals who desperately need it.

The Bay Minette Animal Control Division shares photos of adoptable pets on its Facebook page Bay Minette Animal Control Lost/Found & Adoptable Pets. You can also contact the Animal Control Department to inquire about pet adoptions at 251-580-2559 or email.