§ 4-8-42 - Control of vicious dog; confiscation of dog; payment of costs; destruction of dog

O.C.G.A. 4-8-42 (2010)
4-8-42. Control of vicious dog; confiscation of dog; payment of costs; destruction of dog


(a) It is unlawful for an owner of a vicious dog to permit the dog to be outside a proper enclosure unless the dog is restrained by a leash and is under the physical restraint of a responsible person.

(b) A vicious dog shall be immediately confiscated by the dog control officer or by a law enforcement officer or by another person authorized by the dog control officer if the:

(1) Vicious dog is not maintained in a proper enclosure; or

(2) Vicious dog is outside a proper enclosure in violation of subsection (a) of this Code section.

(c) Any dog that has been confiscated under the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section shall be returned to its owner upon the owner's compliance with the provisions of this article and upon the payment of reasonable confiscation costs. In the event the owner has not complied with the provisions of this article within 40 days of the date the dog was confiscated, said dog shall be destroyed in an expeditious and humane manner.