Georgia Code, Title 4, Chapter 8, Article 2 - Responsible Dog Ownership

• § 4-8-20 - Short Title
  This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Responsible Dog Ownership Law."
• § 4-8-21 - Definitions
  (a) As used in this article, the term: (1) "Classified dog" means any dog that has been classified as either a dangerous dog or...
• § 4-8-22 - Jurisdiction; Designation of Dog Control Officer; Consolidation of Services
  (a) A county's jurisdiction for the enforcement of this article shall be the unincorporated area of the county and a municipality's jurisdiction for such...
• § 4-8-23 - Investigations by Dog Control Officer; Notice to Owner; Hearings; Determinations by Hearing Authority; Judicial Review
  (a) For purposes of this Code section, the term: (1) "Animal shelter" shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 4-14-2....
• § 4-8-24 - Impoundment
  A law enforcement officer or dog control officer shall immediately impound a dog if the officer believes the dog poses a threat to the...
• § 4-8-25 - Court Ordered Euthanasia
  The judge of any superior court of competent jurisdiction within this state may order the euthanasia of a dog if the court finds, after...
• § 4-8-26 - Euthanasia for Dogs With Repeat Offenses
  A dog that is found, after notice and opportunity for hearing as provided by Code Section 4-8-23, to have caused a serious injury to...
• § 4-8-27 - Certificates of Registration; Requirements for Issuance of Certificate; Individuals Excluded From Receiving Registration; Limitation of Ownership; Annual Renewal
  (a) It shall be unlawful for an owner to have or possess within this state a classified dog without a certificate of registration issued...
• § 4-8-28 - Notifications by Owner; Change in Ownership of Dog; Changes in Residence
  (a) The owner of a classified dog shall notify the dog control officer within 24 hours if the dog is on the loose or...
• § 4-8-29 - Limitations on Dog's Presence Off of Owner's Premises; Penalty for Violation; Defense
  (a) It shall be unlawful for an owner of a dangerous dog to permit the dog to be off the owner's property unless: (1)...
• § 4-8-30 - Confiscation by Dog Control Officer; Payment of Costs for Recovery; Euthanasia
  (a) A dangerous dog or vicious dog shall be immediately confiscated by any dog control officer or by a law enforcement officer in the...
• § 4-8-31 - Governmental Liability for Enforcement
  Under no circumstances shall a local government or any employee or official of a local government be held liable for any damages to any...
• § 4-8-32 - Penalty for Violation
  Except as otherwise specified in this article, any person who violates any provision of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
• § 4-8-33 - Application and Compliance
  (a) (1) Any dog classified prior to July 1, 2012, as a potentially dangerous dog in this state shall on and after that date...

Last modified: October 14, 2016