§ 4-8-25 - Requirements for possessing dangerous or potentially dangerous dog - Georgia Statutes

O.C.G.A. 4-8-25 (2010)
4-8-25. Requirements for possessing dangerous or potentially dangerous dog

(a) It is unlawful for an owner to have or possess within this state a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog without a certificate of registration issued in accordance with the provisions of this Code section.

(b) Subject to the additional requirements of subsection (c) of this Code section for dangerous dogs, the dog control officer of a local government in which an owner possesses a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of such dog if the owner presents to the dog control officer or the dog control officer otherwise finds sufficient evidence of:

(1) A proper enclosure to confine the dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog; and

(2) (A) The posting of the premises where the dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog is located with a clearly visible sign warning that there is a dangerous dog on the property.

(B) The Department of Natural Resources shall design a uniform symbol for the purpose of implementing subparagraph (A) of this paragraph no later than July 1, 1989, and shall provide copies of the design to the governing authority of each county and municipality of this state. The sign required to be posted by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall conform substantially to the design provided by the Department of Natural Resources pursuant to this subparagraph.

(C) The requirement of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall become effective 60 days following the day the uniform design specified in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph is distributed to the governing authority of each county and municipality of the state.

(c) In addition to the requirements of subsection (b) of this Code section, the owner of a dangerous dog shall present to the dog control officer evidence of:

(1) A policy of insurance in the amount of at least $15,000.00 issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in this state insuring the owner of the dangerous dog against liability for any personal injuries inflicted by the dangerous dog; or

(2) A surety bond in the amount of $15,000.00 or more issued by a surety company authorized to transact business in this state payable to any person or persons injured by the dangerous dog.

(d) The owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog shall notify the dog control officer within 24 hours if the dog is on the loose, is unconfined, has attacked a human, has died, or has been sold or donated. If the dog has been sold or donated, the owner shall also provide the dog control officer with the name, address, and telephone number of the new owner of the dog.

(e) The owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog shall notify the dog control officer if the owner is moving from the dog control officer's jurisdiction. The owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog who is a new resident of the State of Georgia shall register the dog as required in this Code section within 30 days after becoming a resident. The owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog who moves from one jurisdiction to another within the State of Georgia shall register the dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog in the new jurisdiction within ten days after becoming a resident.

(f) Issuance of a certificate of registration or the renewal of a certificate of registration by a local government does not warrant or guarantee that the requirements specified in subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section are maintained by the owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog on a continuous basis following the date of the issuance of the initial certificate of registration or following the date of any annual renewal of such certificate.

(g) A dog control officer is authorized to make whatever inquiry is deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article. Law enforcement agencies of local governments and the sheriffs of counties shall cooperate with dog control officers in enforcing the provisions of this article.

(h) A local government may charge an annual fee, in addition to regular dog-licensing fees, to register dangerous dogs and potentially dangerous dogs as required in this Code section. Certificates of registration shall be renewed on an annual basis. At the time of the annual renewal of a certificate of registration, a dog control officer shall require evidence from the owner or make such investigation as may be necessary to verify that the dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog is continuing to be confined in a proper enclosure and that the owner is continuing to comply with other provisions of this article.