While not all counties enforce the same ordinances, the following list of rules make for responsible pet ownership:
- Leash Law: pets must be confined to your property or, when outside of your property, put on a leash under the control of a competent person.
- Rabies Vaccinations and Licenses: required for all dogs and cats older than 3 months and must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Pets should always wear their rabies/license around their necks.
- Cruelty Laws: It is unlawful, and punishable by fines and/or imprisonment, to:
- overload, cruelly treat, poison, maim, ill use, torture, kill or abuse any animal
- deprive such of necessary sustenance, medical attention, shade, or shelter.
- abandon any animal on any property or keep an animal under unsanitary conditions.
- transport any dog in an open bed truck except when confined in a portable kennel or safely restrained by harness or tether. - Nuisances: It is unlawful to create, maintain, support, aid, or continue pet practices including the keeping of diseased animals, barking dogs, unsanitary housing, and/or objectionable odors.
- Animal Bites: Any cat, dog, or other animal that bites must be reported to Animal Control. If a person is bitten then the animal must be quarantined for 10 days and tested for rabies through the state laboratory.
If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s rights, consult your local county website or visit www.georgiaanimalcontrol.org.
Post provided by: Neel and Robinson
