§ 34-283. Certificate of registration.

(a)

The owner of a classified animal must be 18 years old or older; annually obtain a certificate of registration for the animal from the county; and, pay an annual registration fee of $100.00 in addition to the regular license fee. This registration fee is subject to change as dictated by the county board of commissioners. At the time of renewal, the animal control officer shall verify that the owner is continuing to comply with all applicable provisions of this article. The requirements of this section apply to any classified animal living in Fulton County.

(b)

Certificates of registration are nontransferable and no more than one certificate of registration shall be issued per domicile. The certificate of registration shall be issued to the owner upon receipt of all of the following:

(1)

Written evidence that the animal is permanently identified by insertion of a microchip by a licensed veterinarian. Said chip must be registered with the chip parent company and Fulton County Animal Control within 30 days of an order classifying the animal as dangerous or vicious or within such later time as specified by a court of competent jurisdiction or within 30 days of the conclusion of any appeal of a court's order that upholds the classification of an animal as dangerous or vicious;

(2)

A copy of a current policy of insurance in the minimum amount of $50,000.00 issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in the State of Georgia, insuring the owner of a dangerous animal, and $75,000.00 insuring the owner of a vicious animal, against liability for any personal injuries or property damage inflicted by the dangerous animal or vicious animal; or a copy of a current surety bond in the foregoing respective amounts issued by a surety company authorized to transact business in the State of Georgia, payable for property damage or personal injury caused by the dangerous or vicious animal;

(3)

Written or photographic proof that the animal will be confined in a classified animal pen; and

(4)

Written evidence that the animal has been sterilized by a licensed veterinarian.

(c)

The owner of a classified animal shall notify Fulton County Animal Control within 24 hours if the animal dies. If the animal dies, the body must be available for microchip scanning to provide positive identification of the dangerous animal or vicious animal. A vicious animal shall not be transferred, sold or donated to any other person unless it is relinquished to a governmental facility or a veterinarian to be euthanized. If a dangerous animal is sold or given to another person, the current owner listed on the most current certificate of registration must provide Fulton County Animal Control with the name, address, and telephone number of the new owner within 30 days of the sale or transfer of such animal. New owners of dangerous animals are subject to all requirements of this article upon transfer of such animal and such new owner must register the animal in his or her name within 30 days of the sale or transfer of the animal to such new owner.

(d)

The owner of a classified animal must notify Fulton County Animal Control in writing within 15 days after changing his/her address. Such written notice shall provide the owner's new address and telephone number. The owner shall promptly obtain a new certificate of registration reflecting the new address if such address is located within the county.

(e)

The owner of any classified animal shall notify Fulton County Animal Control in writing within 30 days after moving a classified animal into the county. Such written notice shall provide the address and telephone number of the owner and the owner shall obtain a certificate of registration for the animal within 30 days after moving into the county.

(f)

No certificate of registration shall be issued to any person who has been convicted of two or more violations of this article. No person shall be the owner of more than one vicious animal. No certificate of registration for a vicious animal shall be issued to any person who has been convicted of:

(1)

A serious violent felony as defined in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1;

(2)

The felony of dog fighting as provided for in O.C.G.A. § 16-12-37 or the felony of aggravated cruelty to animals as provided for in O.C.G.A. § 16-12-4; or

(3)

A felony involving trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana, methamphetamine, or ecstasy as provided for in O.C.G.A. §§ 16-13-31 and 16-13-31.1;

(4)

From the time of conviction until two years after completion of his or her sentence. The restrictions imposed by this section also apply to any person residing with such convicted person.

(16-0469, Exh. 1, 6-1-16; 16-0728, Exh. A, 9-7-16)