East Coast Quality
Breeders Association
Home / Membership / Legislation / Recent News / Forum

Member Directory / Breeder Directory

Resources / Our Sponsors / About Us / Contact Us

State Legislation

GEORGIA
For more information please see Georgia State Legislation

Posted July 2008

Macon - A Macon City Council committee wants to redirect revenue from dog and cat licensing so that the fees are used to support animal control operations before they are spent on anything else. By approving the ordinance Monday,(7/14/08) the Public Safety Committee hopes to persuade veterinarians to resume their former role in collecting the tax that is supposed to be assessed against city pet owners. Vets soured to the task in 2002 and eventually stopped participating after the city raised the license fees without consulting them.

Posted June 2008

HB301 - Sponsored by state Rep. Bobby Reese (R-Sugar Hill), HB 301 makes it illegal in Georgia to own, transport or sell dogs or to advertise, promote or attend a dogfight. In a compromise, the new law treats attendance at a dogfight as a misdemeanor rather than a felony on the first arrest. That's the law's chief weakness since the industry flourishes because there's an eager audience for watching dogs tear each other apart. Target the spectators with stiff penalties, and dogfighting would disappear. The passage of the bill reflects four years of effort by state Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), who was on hand at the Capitol for the signing last week. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/opinion/stories/2008/05/11/doged_0512.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=17 Status: 5/6/08 House date signed by Governor

Decatur County - Board of Commissioners may be closer to getting a leash law to protect citizens and property from dogs that present a nuisance or danger. More strictly enforce a Georgia law dealing with dangerous dogs by allocating more people and resources to enforce the state law could make a difference.


http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19762295&BRD=2068&PAG=461&dept_id=387472&rfi=6

Posted May 2008

HB301 - Sponsored by state Rep. Bobby Reese (R-Sugar Hill), HB 301 makes it illegal in Georgia to own, transport or sell dogs or to advertise, promote or attend a dogfight. In a compromise, the new law treats attendance at a dogfight as a misdemeanor rather than a felony on the first arrest. That's the law's chief weakness since the industry flourishes because there's an eager audience for watching dogs tear each other apart. Target the spectators with stiff penalties, and dogfighting would disappear. The passage of the bill reflects four years of effort by state Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), who was on hand at the Capitol for the signing last week. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/opinion/stories/2008/05/11/doged_0512.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=17


Posted April 2008

HB301 - passed the Senate. Sent to governor for signature. Will amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to gambling offenses, so as to change certain provisions relating to dogfighting; to prohibit dogfighting and related conduct; to provide for punishments; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes

Posted March 2008

Coweta County - Board of Commissioners has passed an amendment to its animal control ordinances expanding the definition of nuisance animals to include "aggressive dogs," and to provide means for county officials to impound an animal labeled as such, and what the appeal procedures are for the animal's owner. In addition to any fines imposed by the court, if the dog is classified by the court to be an aggressive dog, the court may order the dog to be confined, order the owner to post signs that an aggressive dog is on the premises, and order the owner to register the dog at an annual fee of $500. The premises will also be subject to annual inspections to ensure compliance with the court's order. Passed 02/19/08

Macon - City Council amended a resolution, making it unlawful to leave a cat or dog tethered and unattended. The amended ordinance passed unanimously. Passed 02/19/08

Macon - City Council committee today (03-03) appointed an ad hoc panel that will take a closer look at animal control issues. Panel members debated whether to ban use of the gas chamber to kill stray animals and the costs of switching to lethal injection, banning unattended outdoor tethering of dogs and cats, various fees charged by animal control and license fees that are billed to pet owners and an overhaul of animal polices.

HB301 - To amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to gambling offenses, so as to change certain provisions relating to dogfighting; to prohibit dogfighting and related conduct; to provide for punishments; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Colquitt County - Moultre - County Board of Commissioners, by general consensus, have agreed to simply enforce state law rather than significantly alter the county's dangerous dog ordinance. State law addresses dangerous and vicious dogs and doesn't apply to nuisance animals. That falls under the county ordinance. Up until now, Colquitt County hasn't given authority to any entity to enforce the state law. State law also requires rabies inoculations and tags for all pets dogs and cats. The pets are required to wear those tags. Passed 01/14/08

Macon - City Council committee proposed an ordinance that would make it illegal to leave a dog or cat tethered outdoors for eight continuous hours or for a total of 12 hours in a 24 hour period. The tether must be at least 15 feet long and cannot restrict the animal's access to food, water, shelter and a separate area to relieve itself. Ordinance still requires approval from the council.

Sugar Hill - City Council is considering banning pit bulls from public property. The ordinance would prohibit the dogs, including mixed breeds, from going to public parks or government property within the city limits. Violators would be fined anywhere from $200 to $1,000.