In order to clamp down on vicious dog attacks, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed the Responsible Dog Ownership Law in 2012. The order essentially was formed to protect the general public from injury and/or death from the result of dog attacks.
If a dog has severely injured an individual and poses a major safety risk, the judge of any Georgia superior court can order the euthanasia of the animal. In addition, if a dog has inflicted a serious injury to an individual on more than one occasion, the pet can also be euthanized.
“The owner or, if no owner can be found, the custodian exercising care and control over any dog which goes upon the land of another and while off the owner’s or custodian’s property causes injury, death, or damage directly or indirectly to any livestock, or poultry, or pet animal shall be civilly liable to the owner of the livestock, or poultry, or pet animal for damages, death, or injury, death, or damage caused by the dog.”
While this act is fairly concise and straightforward, there are a variety of legal ramificationsthat this doctrine possesses, according to the top Greenville dog bite attorney. On one side, dog owners are held solely responsible for the actions of their pets. While on the other, this law outlines the difference between a “dangerous” and “vicious” dog.
Overall, Georgia’s Responsible Dog Owner Act is a progressive form of legislation that aims to eliminate the legal dispute of liability in the event of a dog attack.
If a dog is considered dangerous, then when out in public it must be kept on a leash and kept under the immediate physical control of a person who is capable of preventing the dog from engaging with any other animal or human when necessary. The leash can’t be any longer than six feet. Keeping the animal in a closed and locked cage or crate would also be acceptable instead of using a leash. This law does not apply to “working dogs” that are working or training as hunting dogs, herding dogs, or predator control dogs.
Leash laws can play an important role in any Atlanta dog bite case, but they are only one aspect of the case out of many facts that must be proven to hold the owner liable to the victim for the injuries caused. At Zagoria Law, we’ll take on the difficult task of winning your case while you focus on getting better and putting your life back together after a serious dog bite and the pain, misery and disruption it can cause. For help after a dog bite injury in Atlanta, call Zagoria Law at 404-65-0023 for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win.
Fulton County ordinances follow the Responsible Dog Ownership Law by stating a dog shall not be on any street or public place unless securely restrained by a leash not more than six feet in length and humanely muzzled when appropriate. If outside an enclosure while on the owner’s property, the dog must be attended by the owner or a custodian and restrained by a secure collar, muzzled when appropriate, and on a leash of sufficient strength to prevent escape. A warning sign (e.g., Beware of Dog) should also be conspicuously posted on the property.
This law, found in sections 4-8-20 through 4-8-33 of the Georgia Code, applies to dangerous or vicious dogs. The requirements for a dangerous dog apply when the dog is off the owner’s premises, while the law for a vicious dog is stricter and applies when the dog is on the owner’s property as well.
DeKalb County requires dog owners to take all necessary steps and precautions to protect other people, property, and other animals from injury or damage resulting from their animal’s behavior, including chasing or biting. Owners should ensure their animal is kept under restraint and prevented from leaving the property while unattended. Owners also have a duty to keep their pets under restraint and control at all times while off their property, except for county parks specifically designated as off-leash areas. It is unlawful to allow dogs to run at large unattended.
What Is Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law?
In 2012, the Georgia legislature enacted the Responsible Dog Ownership Law (RDOL), formerly known as the “Dangerous Dog Act.” The purpose of the law was to create more accountability for dog owners whose dogs are legally classified as “dangerous” or “vicious.”
A dog is considered dangerous by law if:
A dog is considered vicious if:
Owners of dogs classified as dangerous or vicious are required to register their dogs with the state and renew registration certificates annually. The owners of a dangerous or vicious dog also must carry at least $50,000 in liability insurance in case their dog attacks and injures someone.
What Are the Leash Laws in Georgia?
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(1)??Classified dog? means any dog that has been classified as either a dangerous dog or vicious dog pursuant to this article.
(A)?Causes a substantial puncture of a persons skin by teeth without causing serious injury; ?provided, however, that a nip, scratch, or abrasion shall not be sufficient to classify a dog as dangerous under this subparagraph;
(B)?Aggressively attacks in a manner that causes a person to reasonably believe that the dog posed an imminent threat of serious injury to such person or another person although no such injury occurs; ?provided, however, that the acts of barking, growling, or showing of teeth by a dog shall not be sufficient to classify a dog as dangerous under this subparagraph; ?or
(C)?While off the owners property, kills a pet animal; ?provided, however, that this subparagraph shall not apply where the death of such pet animal is caused by a dog that is working or training as a hunting dog, herding dog, or predator control dog.
(4)??Owner? means any natural person or any legal entity, including, but not limited to, a corporation, partnership, firm, or trust owning, possessing, harboring, keeping, or having custody or control of a dog. ?In the case of a dog owned by a minor, the term ?owner? includes the parents or person in loco parentis with custody of the minor.
(5)??Serious injury? means any physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death; ?results in death, broken or dislocated bones, lacerations requiring multiple sutures, or disfiguring avulsions; ?requires plastic surgery or admission to a hospital; ?or results in protracted impairment of health, including transmission of an infection or contagious disease, or impairment of the function of any bodily organ.
(6)??Vicious dog? means a dog that inflicts serious injury on a person or causes serious injury to a person resulting from reasonable attempts to escape from the dogs attack.
(b)?No dog shall be classified as a dangerous dog or vicious dog for actions that occur while the dog is being used by a law enforcement or military officer to carry out the law enforcement or military officers official duties. ?No dog shall be classified as a dangerous dog or a vicious dog if the person injured by such dog was a person who, at the time, was committing a trespass, was abusing the dog, or was committing or attempting to commit an offense under Chapter 5 of Title 16.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com – Georgia Code Title 4. Animals § 4-8-21 – last updated April 14, 2021 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-4-animals/ga-code-sect-4-8-21.html
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