§ 34-204. Cruelty to animals.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to overload, poison, cruelly treat, maim, tease, bruise, deprive of necessary sustenance or medical attention, improperly use, deprive of shade and shelter, or in any manner whatsoever, torture, kill, abuse, or commit any act of cruelty towards any animal.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any owner to neglect an animal.

(c)

No person shall knowingly abandon, or aid in the abandonment of any animal on any property, public or private.

(d)

It shall be unlawful to transport any dog in an open bed truck except when safely confined in a portable kennel or safely restrained by a harness to prevent the animal from escaping out of the vehicle or having the ability to extend over the end of the vehicle while it is in motion.

(e)

An animal control officer or law enforcement officer may use any force necessary to remove any animal locked in a closed vehicle if the animal exhibits distress, including but not limited to, excessive panting or drooling, seizures, state of unconsciousness, or hyperactivity. If the vehicle is damaged during such removal, the animal control officer or law enforcement officer shall not be liable for any damage to the vehicle.

(f)

An animal control officer or law enforcement officer who is responding to the notification of abandoned animal may enter the property by reasonable means under the circumstances to remove or render aid to the abandoned animal.

(g)

Any person who has been convicted of cruelty, neglect, or abandonment of an animal as provided in this article, or state law, and has been required to or has voluntarily relinquished ownership of such animal shall not be allowed to own a pet in their household in Fulton County for a minimum of one year from the date of conviction. A nolo contendere plea is considered a conviction for the purpose of this subsection.

(h)

This section shall not be construed to limit in any way the authority or duty of any law enforcement officer, animal control officer, or veterinarian.

(91-RC-441, § H, 8-21-91; 16-0469, Exh. 1, 6-1-16; 16-0728, Exh. A, 9-7-16)

State law reference

Dogfighting, O.C.G.A. § 16-12-37; cruelty to animals, O.C.G.A. § 16-12-4.