Chapter 4
ANIMALS*
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Editor's note: An resolution adopted Nov. 13, 2000, deleted §§ 4-1– 4-37 in their entirety and enacted similar provisions to read as herein set out. Former §§ 4-1– 4-37 derived from ordinances adopted Aug. 24, 1993; Aug. 23. 1994; Apr. 11, 1998; Jan. 10, 1989; Oct. 10, 1989; Aug. 9, 1999; Mar. 13, 2000; and Aug. 25, 2000.
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Article I. In General
Sec. 4-1. Definitions.
Sec. 4-2. Application of chapter to domesticated animals only.
Sec. 4-3. Purposes.
Sec. 4-4. Contract for enforcement with municipalities within the county.
Sec. 4-5. Jurisdiction of magistrate court.
Sec. 4-6. Penalty for violation of chapter.
Sec. 4-7. Impoundment.
Sec. 4-8. Detention periods following impoundment.
Sec. 4-9. Owner reclaims.
Sec. 4-10. Interpretation of chapter.
Sec. 4-11. Incorporation of state law; construction.
Sec. 4-12. Severability.
Secs. 4-13– 4-19. Reserved.
Article II. Rabies and Animal Control
Sec. 4-20. Rabies control; vaccination required.
Sec. 4-21. Domesticated animals running at large.
Sec. 4-22. Domesticated animals disturbing the peace.
Sec. 4-23. Restraint of dogs.
Sec. 4-24. Restraint of cats.
Sec. 4-25. Cruelty to animals.
Sec. 4-26. Abandonment of domesticated animal.
Sec. 4-27. Clean-up requirement.
Sec. 4-28. Keeping of sick or diseased animals.
Sec. 4-29. Confinement of dogs and cats in heat.
Sec. 4-30. Shelter requirements.
Sec. 4-31. Adoption of impounded animals.
Sec. 4-32. Obstruction or interference in enforcement.
Sec. 4-33. Willful violation by third party.
Secs. 4-34– 4-39. Reserved.
Article III. Dangerous Dog Control
Sec. 4-40. Investigation by dangerous dog control officer.
Sec. 4-41. Notice of classification.
Sec. 4-42. Procedures for classification as dangerous dogs or potentially dangerous dogs.
Sec. 4-43. Dangerous dog hearings.
Sec. 4-44. Notification of determination of board of commissioners.
Sec. 4-45. Requirements for possessing dangerous or potentially dangerous dog.
Sec. 4-46. Restrictions upon dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs.
Sec. 4-47. Confiscation of dog; grounds; disposition.
Sec. 4-48. Violations of dangerous dog control; penalties.
ARTICLE I. Sec. 4-1. Definitions.
As used hereinafter, the following words and terms shall have the meaning set forth unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Abandonment shall mean the act by an owner of leaving, deserting, rejecting, or renouncing responsibility of or claim to a domesticated animal.
Adequate food and water shall mean food and water which is sufficient in amount and appropriate for the particular type of animal to prevent starvation, dehydration, or a significant risk to the animal's health from a lack of food or water.
Aggressive shall be descriptive of any dog which appears to have a propensity for attacking persons, or which has in fact attacked a person on at least one occasion, or which threatens persons by growling or barking in such a manner that causes persons of reasonable sensibilities to be apprehensive for his or her safety.
Animal shall mean all living nonhuman creatures, domestic or wild, including livestock.
At large shall mean not under the direct physical or voice restraint of the owner, whether on or off the owner's premises.
Bite shall mean any physical contact with human skin of the teeth, nails, or claws of an animal which produces bleeding by the person.
Board of commissioners shall refer to the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners unless otherwise specified. Synonymous with "governing authority."
Cat shall mean the domestic cat, Felis catus.
Citation shall mean a written notice issued to a person stating that there is probable cause to believe that the person has committed an infraction of this chapter and directing the person to respond to the charge at a certain date and time in the Magistrate Court of Whitfield County.
County shall refer to Whitfield County unless otherwise specified. Synonymous with "local government."
Dangerous dog shall mean any dog which, according to the records of Whitfield County:
(a) Inflicts a severe injury upon a person without provocation on public or private property at any time after March 31, 1989; or
(b) Aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of persons without provocation after having been classified as a potentially dangerous dog and after the owner has been notified of such classification.
Dangerous dog control officer shall mean that individual appointed by the board of commissioners to aid in the enforcement and administration of the dangerous dog control portion of this chapter by examining and reasonably evaluating whether or not a dog shall be classified as a dangerous dog or as a potentially dangerous dog. Such person shall not be an employee of the county sheriff's department or other law enforcement agency within the county, but may otherwise be employed by the county. Such person may be, but is not required to be, a licensed veterinarian.
Dog shall refer to the domestic dog, Canis familiaris.
Domesticated animal shall mean any animal domesticated by persons so as to live and breed in a tame condition. Examples shall include, but not be limited to, dogs, cats, horses, cattle, goats, ostriches, emus, llamas, and chickens.
Humane care shall mean, but not be limited to, the provision of adequate heat, ventilation, sanitary shelter, and wholesome and adequate food and water, consistent with normal requirements and feeding habits of the animal's size, species, and breed.
Merit system shall refer to the Whitfield County merit system of personnel administration, which shall govern the employment of all employees of the department except the director.
Owner shall mean any person possessing, harboring, keeping or having custody or control of any domesticated animal or permitting any domesticated animal to remain on or about his or her premises for a period of at least 15 days.
Person shall refer to any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, organization, or association.
Potentially dangerous dog shall mean any dog which has, without provocation, bitten any person on public or private property at any time after March 31, 1989.
Public nuisance shall mean any domesticated animal which unreasonably annoys persons, endangers the life or health of persons or of other domesticated animals, or substantially interferes with the rights of citizens, other than the owner of such animal, to enjoy fully life and property. The term shall include, but not be limited to, any domesticated animal which:
(a) Is found at large;
(b) Damages the property of anyone other than its owner;
(c) Chases vehicles;
(d) Attacks other domesticated animals; or
(e) Without provocation attacks pedestrians or passersby.
Proper enclosure for a dangerous dog or for a potentially dangerous dog shall mean an enclosure for keeping a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog while on the owner's property securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen, fence, or structure, suitable to prevent the entry of children or other animals and designed to prevent the dog from escaping. Any such pen or structure shall have secure sides and a secure top, and, if the dog is enclosed within a fence, all sides of the fence shall be of sufficient height and the bottom of the fence shall be constructed or secured in such as manner as to prevent the dog's escape either from over or from under the fence. Any such enclosure shall also provide protection from the elements for the dog. Any such enclosure shall be locked at all times so as to prevent the unintentional opening of the enclosure. The dog shall not be permitted to come into contact with animals other than those which reside at the owner's residence nor shall the dog be permitted to come into contact with any persons other than the owner and the immediate family.
Quarantine shall mean the humane confinement of an animal for observation of symptoms of rabies or other disease in a proper enclosure which prevents the animal from coming into unplanned contact with any other animal or person.
Severe injury shall mean any physical injury which results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery or a physical injury that results in death.
Stray shall mean any domesticated animal which is at large and whose owner is unknown or not readily identifiable.
Vaccination shall mean inoculation with anti-rabies vaccine given by a licensed veterinarian, the dose of which is sufficient to provide immunity against rabies for at least one year.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-2. Application of chapter to domesticated animals only.
Unless this chapter shall specifically state otherwise or unless the context shall clearly provide otherwise, this chapter shall apply only to domesticated animals, as defined hereinabove, and not to all animals. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, or other appropriate agency, should be consulted regarding nondomesticated animals, including wild animals and migratory birds.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-3. Purposes.
The broad purposes of this chapter shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) To set forth the minimum standards by which the county sheriff's department or other appropriate law enforcement agency shall operate in its enforcement of all state and county laws, ordinances, and resolutions relating to domesticated animals and the care, custody, and control of such domesticated animals;
(b) To protect and to promote the health, welfare, and safety of the general public;
(c) To educate the general public with regard to proper maintenance and care of domesticated animals, including, but not limited to, educating the public as to the benefits of spaying or neutering such domesticated animals to prevent undesired reproduction;
(d) To enforce and to promote the public health requirement that all dogs and cats be properly vaccinated against rabies on an annual basis;
(e) To enforce and to promote the public safety requirement that all dangerous dogs and all potentially dangerous dogs be properly confined and that necessary measures be taken to protect the public at large from such animals.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-4. Contract for enforcement with municipalities within the county.
The county sheriff's department's jurisdiction for enforcement of this chapter shall be in the unincorporated portion of Whitfield County. However, the sheriff's department shall be authorized to provide its services within any municipality within the county which shall enter an agreement with the county for the provision of such services, which shall adopt verbatim the substantive provisions of this chapter for enforcement within such corporate limits. Any such intergovernmental agreement shall be subject to any state law which may govern.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-5. Jurisdiction of magistrate court.
Pursuant to the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 15-10-60 et seq., the Magistrate Court of Whitfield County shall have jurisdiction to hear and to determine all alleged violations of this chapter unless the accused shall demand a jury trial, in which case the prosecution shall be removed to the Whitfield County Superior Court for jury trial as a misdemeanor.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-6. Penalty for violation of chapter.
Pursuant to the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 36-1-20(b) and § 15-10-60(a), the maximum punishment for the violation of this chapter shall not exceed a fine of $1,000.00 or imprisonment for 60 days, or both.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-7. Impoundment.
(a) Any animal which is in violation of any portion of this chapter may be impounded. The county sheriff's department or other appropriate law enforcement agency shall use discretion in determining whether impoundment shall be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(b) All impounded animals shall be designated as strays or owner give-ups.
(c) All impounded animals shall be provided adequate food and water and shall be provided with humane care while impounded.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-8. Detention periods following impoundment.
(a) Any stray animal impounded pursuant to this chapter shall be detained for a period of not less than five working days prior to being subject to adoption by a third party or euthanization.
(b) Any animal impounded pursuant to this chapter which is wearing identification tags shall be detained for a period of not less than ten working days prior to being subject to adoption by a third party or euthanization. During such period, the county animal control facility shall make reasonable efforts to contact the owner, either in writing or by telephone, or both, utilizing any information provided upon the identification tags. If the only identification is a rabies tag, then the county animal control facility shall contact the issuing veterinarian for identification information.
(c) If at any time during the required detention period set forth above, the owner indicates that he or she intends not to reclaim the animal, the balance of the detention period may be waived. In such instance, the owner shall indicate in writing such intention not to reclaim the animal and such writing shall be maintained by the county animal control facility.
(d) If at any time during the required detention period, examination of the animal indicates that the animal is severely sick or injured, or that such animal is a threat to the health of the other animals detained at the county animal control facility, the balance of the detention period may be waived. In such instance, the person making the determination that the circumstances set forth herein are satisfied shall prepare a written summary to be retained by the county animal control facility of the conditions which prompted him or her to make such determination.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-9. Owner reclaims.
(a) An owner of an impounded animal may reclaim such animal during normal business hours.
(b) The owner shall identify his or her animal.
(c) The owner shall provide his or her address.
(d) If the animal was not impounded near the address of the person seeking to reclaim the animal, then some further reasonable proof of ownership shall be required.
(e) The owner shall provide proof that any animal to be reclaimed is currently vaccinated. If no proof shall be provided, then the owner shall be cited pursuant to this chapter.
(f) If an owner indicates that an animal to be reclaimed has been stolen, the county animal control facility shall use discretion in determining whether any fees associated with reclaiming the animal shall be waived if the owner produces a copy of a police report filed regarding the disappearance of the animal.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-10. Interpretation of chapter.
(a) Nothing herein shall be interpreted or applied so as to create any power or duty in conflict with the preemptive effect of any state or federal law, ordinance, rule, or regulation.
(b) Nothing herein shall be interpreted or applied so as to create any liability upon Whitfield County, the county sheriff's department, or any employee, agent, or any commissioner, for the enforcement or failure to enforce any of the provisions contained in this chapter.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-11. Incorporation of state law; construction.
This chapter shall be construed to effectuate its purposes and policies and to supplement such existing state laws as may relate to animals.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-12. Severability.
If any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unlawful, unconstitutional, or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the rest and remainder of this chapter.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Secs. 4-13– 4-19. Reserved.
ARTICLE II. Sec. 4-20. Rabies control; vaccination required.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to own any dog or cat over three months of age within the county unless such dog or cat is vaccinated. This provision does not apply to dogs and cats owned by a licensed research facility or held in a veterinary medical facility or government operated or licensed animal shelter. All dogs and cats shall be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with the latest compendium of animal rabies vaccines and recommendations for immunization published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.
(b) No person shall vaccinate dogs or cats against rabies who is not licensed practice veterinary medicine.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-21. Domesticated animals running at large.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or otherwise having a domesticated animal in his or her care, charge, control, custody, or possession to cause or to allow such domesticated animal to run at large, loose and unattended, in or on any public property, vacant lot, or private property, specifically including, but not limited to, the property of such owner.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-22. Domesticated animals disturbing the peace.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or otherwise having a domesticated animal in his or her care, charge, control, custody, or possession to allow any such domesticated animal persistently or continuously to bark, howl, or make noise common to their species or otherwise to disturb the peace and quiet of the surrounding neighborhoods. It shall likewise be unlawful to keep or to maintain such domesticated animals in such a manner as to produce noxious or offensive odors, or otherwise to endanger the health and welfare of surrounding persons.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-23. Restraint of dogs.
No person owning or otherwise having a dog in his or her care, charge, control, custody, or possession shall cause, permit, or allow the dog leave the confinement of the owner's or other responsible party's property unless such dog is under restraint by leash or chain. The leash or chain shall not exceed six feet in length, unless it is a retractable-type leash. No person owning or otherwise having a dog in his or her care, charge, control, custody, or possession shall cause, permit, or allow such dog to be on any private property unless the owner thereof shall consent. Dogs are additionally prohibited in those public areas so designated and posted by the county or other governmental entity having authority to do so.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-24. Restraint of cats.
No person owning or otherwise having a cat in his or her care, charge, control, custody, or possession shall cause, permit, or allow such cat to leave the confinement of the owner's or other responsible party's property unless physically restrained by a responsible person. No person owning or otherwise having a cat in his or her care, charge, control, custody, or possession shall cause, permit, or allow such cat to be on any private property unless the owner thereof shall consent. Cats are additionally prohibited in those public areas so designated and posted by the county or other governmental entity having authority to do so.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-25. Cruelty to animals.
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause the death or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering to any domesticated animal by an act, an omission, or because of willful neglect. This section shall specifically include, but not be limited to, the following examples of cruelty:
(a) An owner's failure to provide adequate food and water and/or humane care for any domesticated animal;
(b) The use of caustic, flammable, boiling, or heated substances upon any domesticated animal;
(c) The suffocation or drowning of a domesticated animal;
(d) The torture, maiming, or mutilation of any domesticated animal;
(e) The infliction of burns, cuts, or lacerations upon any domesticated animal.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-26. Abandonment of domesticated animal.
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly and intentionally to abandon any domesticated animal upon any public or private property or public right-of-way.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-27. Clean-up requirement.
The owner of every dog shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his dog upon public or private property.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-28. Keeping of sick or diseased animals.
It shall be unlawful for any person to own any domesticated animal which is seriously sick or injured and not provided proper veterinary care. This section shall not be construed to include animals under active veterinary care or veterinary hospitals.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-29. Confinement of dogs and cats in heat.
Every female dog or cat in heat shall be confined for a period of 24 days in such a manner that such dog or cat cannot come into contact with another dog or cat except for planned breeding. When exercised, the dog or cat shall be securely leashed.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-30. Shelter requirements.
An owner may confine his or her dog by a chain which is no less than 12 feet in length and which permits the dog to reach shade, shelter and adequate food and water. Dogs confined by chain or fence shall be provided shelter which shall meet the following minimum requirements:
(a) The housing facilities shall consist of walls on at least three sides, shall be structurally sound and shall be maintained in good repair to protect the dog from injury and from the elements.
(b) Enclosures shall be constructed and maintained to provide sufficient space to allow each dog adequate freedom of movement.
(c) Minimum standards of sanitation necessary to provide humanely clean conditions for both indoor and outdoor enclosures shall include periodic cleaning to remove excretions and other waste materials, dirt, and trash, so as to minimize health hazards.
(d) When sunlight is likely to cause heat exhaustion of a dog chained or caged outside, sufficient shade by natural or by artificial means shall be provided to protect the dog from direct sunlight.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-31. Adoption of impounded animals.
The county animal control facility shall encourage and permit the adoption of any animal which has been impounded and which has been detained the appropriate number of days upon the condition that any animal adopted must be spayed or neutered within seven days of adoption. It shall be unlawful for any owner of an adopted animal to fail to have such animal spayed or neutered within seven days of adoption and citation for violation thereof may issue anytime thereafter the county animal control facility shall cooperate with adoption efforts of the Humane Society of Northwest Georgia, Inc., and similar nonprofit organizations, and shall have the discretion to waive any fee associated with reclaiming an impounded animal.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-32. Obstruction or interference in enforcement.
It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct, interfere, or hinder any person in the lawful discharge of his or her duties pursuant to this chapter.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-33. Willful violation by third party.
It shall be unlawful for any person willfully to cause any domesticated animal to be in violation of any portion of this chapter.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Secs. 4-34– 4-39. Reserved.
ARTICLE III. Sec. 4-40. Investigation by dangerous dog control officer.
Upon receiving a report of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog within the county from any law enforcement officer, representative of the county board of health, the dangerous dog control officer shall make such investigation and inquiry as shall be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. If, in the discretion of the dangerous dog control officer, such dog should be classified as a dangerous dog or as a potentially dangerous dog, then the dangerous dog control officer shall so classify the dog.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-41. Notice of classification.
(a) When the dangerous dog control officer classifies a dog as a dangerous dog or re-classifies a potentially dangerous dog as a dangerous dog, the dog control officer (or designee) shall notify the dog's owner in writing by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the owner's last known address of such classification or reclassification. Such notice shall be complete upon its mailing.
(b) The notice to the owner shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The notice shall include a summary of the dangerous dog control officer's findings which formed the basis for the dog's classification as a dangerous dog or as a potentially dangerous dog;
(2) The notice shall be dated and shall state that the owner, within 15 days after the date shown on the notice, has a right to request a hearing upon the dangerous dog control officer's determination that the dog is a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog.
(3) The notice shall state that the hearing, if requested, shall be before the board of commissioners;
(4) The notice shall state that if a hearing is not requested, the dangerous dog control officer's determination that the dog is a dangerous dog or a potentially dangerous dog will become effective for all purposes on a date specified in the notice, which shall be after the last day upon which the owner has a right to request a hearing; and
(5) The notice shall include a form to request a hearing before the board of commissioners and shall provide specific instructions on mailing or delivering such request to the office of the board of commissioners.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-42. Procedures for classification as dangerous dogs or potentially dangerous dogs.
As applied to the owners of potentially dangerous dogs, the procedures set forth herein shall be strictly followed as a condition precedent to the enforcement of the provisions of this section against such owners. As applied to the owners of dangerous dogs, the procedures set forth herein shall not be an essential element of any crime provided for by this chapter.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-43. Dangerous dog hearings.
When the board of commissioners shall receive a request for a hearing, it shall schedule such hearing within 30 days after receiving such request. The board of commissioners or designee shall notify the dog's owner in writing by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery of the date, time, and place of the hearing, and such notice shall be mailed to the dog's owner at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing. At the hearing, the dog's owner shall be given the opportunity to testify and to present evidence and in addition thereto the board of commissioners shall receive such other evidence and hear such other testimony as the board of commissioners may find reasonably necessary to make a determination either to sustain, modify, or overrule the dangerous dog control officer's classification of the dog.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-44. Notification of determination of board of commissioners.
Within ten days after the date of the hearing, the board of commissioners shall notify the dog's owner in writing by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery of its determination upon the matter. If such determination is that the dog is a dangerous dog or a potentially dangerous dog, the notice shall specify the date upon which that determination shall be effective.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-45. Requirements for possessing dangerous or potentially dangerous dog.
(a) It shall be unlawful for an owner to have or to possess within the county a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog without a certificate of registration issued in accordance with this chapter by the department. Any owner seeking a certificate of registration shall pay an annual fee of $100.00 to the dangerous dog control officer, as well as to comply with the remaining requirements of this section.
(b) Subject to the additional requirements of subsection (c) of this section for dangerous dogs, the dangerous dog control officer shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog if the owner presents to the dangerous dog control officer or the dangerous dog control officer otherwise finds sufficient evidence of:
(1) A proper enclosure to confine the dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog; and
(2) The posting of the premises where the dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog is located with a clearly visible sign warning that there is a dangerous dog on the property.
(c) In addition to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, the owner of a dangerous dog shall present to the dangerous dog control officer evidence of:
(1) A policy of insurance in the amount of at least $15,000.00 issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in this state insuring the owner of the dangerous dog against liability for any personal injuries inflicted by the dangerous dog; or
(2) A surety bond in the amount of $15,000.00 or more issued by a surety company authorized to transact business in this state payable to any person or persons injured by the dangerous dog.
(d) The owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog shall notify the dangerous dog control officer within 24 hours if the dog is at large, is unconfined, has attacked a human, has died, or has been sold or donated. If the dog has been sold or donated, the owner shall also provide the dangerous dog control officer with the name, address and telephone number of the new owner of the dog.
(e) The owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog shall notify the dangerous dog control officer if the owner is moving from the dangerous dog control officer's jurisdiction of the unincorporated area of the county. The owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog who is a new resident of the state and the unincorporated area of the county shall register the dog as required in this section in the county within 30 days after becoming a resident. The owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog who moves from any location within the state to the unincorporated area of the county shall register the dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog as required by this section in the county within ten days after becoming a resident.
(f) Issuance of a certificate of registration or the renewal of a certificate of registration by the county does not warrant or guarantee that the requirements specified in subsections (b) and (c) of this section are maintained by the owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog on a continuous basis following the date of the issuance of the initial certificate of registration or following the date of any annual renewal of such certificate.
(g) The dangerous dog control officer is authorized to make whatever inquiry is deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article. The sheriff and his deputies shall cooperate with the dangerous dog control officer in enforcing the provisions of this article.
(h) Certificates of registration shall be renewed on an annual basis. At the time of the annual renewal of a certificate of registration, the dangerous dog control officer shall require evidence from the owner or make such investigation as may be necessary to verify that the dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog is continuing to be confined in a proper enclosure and that the owner is continuing to comply with the provisions of this article.
(Res. of 11-13-00)
Sec. 4-46. Restrictions upon dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs.
(a) It shall be unlawful for an owner of a dangerous dog to permit the dog to be outside a proper enclosure unless the dog is muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or lease and is under the physical restraint of a responsible person. The muzzle shall be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration but will prevent it from biting any person.
(b) It shall be unlawful for the owner of a potentially dangerous dog to permit the dog to be outside a proper enclosure unless the dog is restrained by a substantial chain or leash or is under the restraint of a responsible person.
IN GENERAL
RABIES AND ANIMAL CONTROL
DANGEROUS DOG CONTROL