§ 34-205. Running at large.

(a)

Generally. Within the unincorporated area of Fulton County or within any municipality in Fulton County which has or may enter into an agreement with Fulton County for animal control services, the running at large of dogs, domestic animals, livestock, owned wildlife, exotic animals, public nuisance animal, dangerous, or vicious dogs, or dogs trained or in training as guard dogs is prohibited, with the exception of cats. Owners of wildlife or exotic animals must have the necessary state and/or federal permits on their person when transporting their animals.

(b)

(1)

Dogs. It shall be unlawful for the owner, custodian or harborer of any dog to allow or permit such dog to leave the premises of the owner or other person having custody of the dog unless such dog is securely under leash; said leash being not more than six feet long, and under the control of a competent person. Dogs must be confined to the premises of the owner or other person having custody of the dog and shall be restrained by means of a fence or wall or other enclosure, or restrained individually by a leash under the control of a competent person. Excluded are those dogs participating in or training for obedience trials, field trials, dog shows, tracking work, or law enforcement. Also, the requirements of this subsection shall not apply in any area zoned for agriculture where the owner or person having custody of the dog is at the time in question using the dog for hunting purposes, and has on his/her person a valid hunting license and proof of vaccination.

(2)

An electronic confinement system shall be considered an acceptable enclosure when the equipment is properly maintained and in continuous working order, and the animal to be contained within wears the appropriate electronic collar when within the system perimeters.

(3)

In cases where an animal has been deemed a public nuisance animal two or more times, has been classified as a dangerous or vicious dog, or is in training or has been trained to be a guard dog, an electronic animal confinement system may not be used as either the primary or secondary enclosure.

(4)

Individuals who contain an animal by means of an electronic animal confinement system and are found to be in violation of this section or have been deemed as restraining a dangerous animal shall thereafter restrain the animal by means of a fence, wall or other enclosure, or such animal shall be restrained individually by a leash or chain.

(5)

It shall be unlawful for the owner, custodian, or harborer of any dog to restrain or anchor such animal by means of a tether. Notwithstanding the prior sentence, a dog may be temporarily restrained by means of a tether while the dog is attended by its owner, custodian, or harborer.

(6)

Any tether used to temporarily confine a dog while attended by its owner, custodian, or harborer as provided in subsection (5), above, must be attached to a properly fitted collar or harness and shall not be wrapped directly around the dog's neck. Such tethers shall not be excessively heavy or weighted so as to inhibit the dog's movement.

(c)

Restraint of domestic animals, livestock, owned wildlife and exotic animals. It shall be unlawful for the owner, custodian, or harborer of any domestic animal, livestock, wildlife, or exotic animal, to allow or permit such animal to leave the premises of the owner or other person having custody of such unless securely under leash, in a carrying case, or restrained by some other means and under the control of a competent person, with the exception of cats.

(d)

Confinement of domestic animals, livestock, owned wildlife, exotic animals, public nuisance animals, and dangerous or vicious dogs. Domestic animals, livestock, owned wildlife, exotic animals, public nuisance animals, classified dogs, and guard dogs shall be securely confined to the premises of the owner or other person having custody of such by means set forth under the provisions of this article, or approved by Fulton County or its designee and/or as required by state or federal regulations, with the exception of cats.

(91-RC-441, § I, 8-21-91; 01-0738, 6-20-01; 09-0243, 3-4-09; 16-0469, Exh. 1, 6-1-16; 16-0728, Exh. A, 9-7-16)