Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    1/32

    22 - 1

    STATE OF GEORGI A ))

    COUNTY OF CHATHAM )

    AMENDMENTS TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE

    The Ani mal Cont r ol Or di nance of Chat ham Count y Geor gi a, Chapt er22, i s amended as f ol l ows:

    CHAPTER 22ANI MAL CONTROL

    Article I In General

    22- 100 Stat ement of Pur pose22- 101 Def i ni t i ons22- 102 Li vest ock and Fowl Not t o Run At Large or be Kept i n a

    Publ i c Pl ace

    22- 103 Pr ovi si ons22- 104 Wi l dl i f e22- 105 Keepi ng of Ani mal s: Sani t at i on22- 106 Di st ance of Ani mal Encl osur es f r om Bui l di ng22- 107 Nui sances22- 108 Penal t y22- 109 Exempt i ons22- 10910 Dead Ani mal s

    Article II Dogs and Cats Generally

    22- 1101 Vacci nat i on and Regi st r at i on of Dogs and Cats22- 1112 Commerci al Pet / Ani mal Li cense22- 1123 Rest r i ct i ons on Dogs Runni ng at Large22- 1134 I mpoundment of Dogs22- 1145 Dut y of Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer22- 1156 Dogs Kept Fi ve Days22- 1167 Payment of Fees22- 1178 Dogs Put t o Death22- 1189 Del egat i on of Shel t er of Dogs22- 11920 Di sposal of Dog Excr ement22- 1201 Equi pment f or Removal of Dog Excr ement

    Article III Dangerous/Potentially Dangerous Dogs

    22- 1212 Dangerous/ Pot ent i al l y Dangerous Dogs22- 1223 Exempt i ons; I nvest i gat i on of Repor t s22- 1234 Not i ce Gener al l y22- 1245 Scope of Procedur es22- 1256 Not i ce t o Owner of Cl assi f i cat i on

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    2/32

    22 - 2

    22- 1267 Requi r ement s of Not i ce t o Owner22- 1278 Hear i ng22- 1289 Not i ce of Det er mi nat i on Af t er Hear i ng22- 12930 Cer t i f i cat e of Regi str at i on22- 1301 Rest r ai nt of Danger ous Dog22- 1312 Rest r ai nt of Pot ent i al l y Danger ous Dog22- 1323 Conf i scat i on of Dangerous Dog22- 1334 Conf i scat i on of Pot ent i al l y Danger ous Dog22- 1345 Ret ur n Af t er Conf i scat i on22- 1356 Li abi l i t y22- 1367 Dogf i ght i ng

    Article IV Dogs and Cats Other

    22- 1378 Ani mal Negl ect22- 1389 Ani mal Cr uel t y22- 13940 Tet her i ng

    22- 1401 Ani mal Transpor t ed by Vehi cl es22- 1412 Ani mal Conf i nement and Lef t Unat t ended i n Par ked Car22- 1423 Li mi t at i on on Cat s22- 1434 St r ay Dog and Cat

    Article V - Animals Other than Dogs and Cats

    22- 145 Def i ni t i ons22- 146 Adequat e f ood, shel t er and wat er22- 147 Publ i c nui sance22- 148 Feedi ng of f er al f owl or ot her ani mal s

    22- 149 Exper t Consul t ant s Rost er22- 150 Beekeepi ng22- 151 Chi ckens22- 152 Ot her speci es of poul t r y22- 153 Smal l mammal s22- 154 Tot al number of chi ckens, other poul t r y and smal l

    mammal s22- 155 Horses22- 156 Pi gs22- 157 Ot her l i vest ock22- 158 Snakes and ot her l ar ge r ept i l es

    22- 159 Compl i ance

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    3/32

    22 - 3

    ARTICLE I- IN GENERAL

    The Boar d of Commi ssi oner s of Chat ham Count y do hereby r epealSect i ons 22- 101 t hr ough 22- 11743 of t he Ani mal Cont r ol Or di nancei n i t s ent i r et y and subst i t ut es i n l i eu t her eof t he f ol l owi ngpr ovi si ons of sai d or di nance set f or t h mor e par t i cul ar l y asf ol l ows:

    22- 100 St at ement of Pur poseChatham Count y has under t aken to est abl i sh t hi s Ani mal Or di nancet o pr ot ect t he publ i c heal t h and saf et y of i t s ci t i zens and t opr omot e t he gener al wel f ar e of t he ci t i zens and ani mal s r esi di ngwi t hi n t he County. Ani mal owner shi p i s encouraged and wel comedwi t hi n thi s Count y; however , st r ong emphasi s i s pl aced onr esponsi bl e ownershi p of ani mal s. Ani mal owners ar e encour agedt o r espect t he r i ght s of t hei r f el l ow ci t i zens and al so t hose oft hei r ani mal s. Pr i mar y responsi bi l i t y i s pl aced upon ani mal

    owner s t o pr oper l y t r ai n and/ or secur e t hei r ani mal s so as t opr event t hem f r om causi ng i nj ur i es and/ or creat i ng nui sances.

    22- 101 Def i ni t i ons. The f ol l owi ng def i ni t i ons shal l appl y i nt he i nt er pr et at i on and enf or cement of t hi s chapt er :

    Animals - Ani mal s shal l mean any non- human l i vi ngver t er br at e creat ur e, i ncl udi ng but not l i mi t ed t o, al lhor ses, poni es, mul es, cat t l e, sheep, goat s, swi ne, dogs,cat s, r abbi t s, gui nea pi gs, hamst er s, chi ckens, t ur keys,geese, ducks, pi geons, and si mi l ar f owl .Housing - Housi ng shal l mean any bui l di ng, shed, cage,

    pen or si mi l ar st r uct ur e used f or t he keepi ng of ani mal sand f owl .Enclosure - Encl osur e shal l mean any uncover ed, encl osedpar cel of l and wher e ani mal s or f owl ar e kept .Nuisance - Nui sance shal l mean what ever i s dangerous ordet r i ment al t o human l i f e or heal t h and what ever r ender s ort ends t o r ender soi l , ai r , wat er , or f ood i mpur e orunwhol esome.Person - Per son means any per son, f i r m, par t ner shi p,cor por at i on, associ at i on or agency.Health Officer - Heal t h Of f i cer shal l mean t he

    commi ssi oner of heal t h of t he Count y of Chat ham or hi saut hor i zed repr esent at i ve.

    22- 102 Li vest ock and Fowl Not t o Run at Large or be Kept i n aPubl i c Pl ace. I t shal l be unl awf ul f or t he owner of anyl i vest ock or domest i c f owl t o per mi t t he same t o run at l ar gewi t hi n t he uni ncor por at ed l i mi t s of t he count y or t o keep t hesame i n any manner i n any st r eet or publ i c pl ace.

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    4/32

    22 - 4

    22- 103 Pr ovi si ons. The pr ovi si ons of t he Ani mal Cont r olOr di nance wi t hi n t he uni ncorporated boundar i es of Chatham Count yshal l appl y t o t he f ol l owi ng any non- human l i vi ng ver t ebr at ecreat ur e, i ncl udi ng, but not l i mi t ed t o, dogs, cat s, hor ses,cows, goat s, swi ne, gui neas, r abbi t s, f owl , chi ckens, peacocks,geese and ducks.

    22- 104 Wi l dl i f e. Al l compl ai nt s and mat t er s concer ni ng ani mal snot of a domest i c nat ur e and compl ai nt s i nvol vi ng game ani mal sor pr ot ect ed speci es and/ or hunt i ng shal l be f or war ded t o t heSt ate Depart ment of Natur al Resour ces, Game and Fi sh Di vi si on ort he U. S. Depar t ment of Agr i cul t ur e Law Enf or cement Di vi si on f ort he pr oper di sposi t i on compl i ance, appr ehensi on and cont r ol l i ngenf orcement as may be necessar y and pr ovi ded by St at e l aw orFeder al r egul at i ons.

    22- 105 Keepi ng of Ani mal s: Sani t at i on. Any housi ng or encl osureused f or t he keepi ng of ani mal s or f owl shal l be wel l dr ai ned,f r ee f r om accumul at i on of ani mal excr ement and obj ect i onabl eodors and other wi se cl ean and sani t ary. Ani mal excrement shal lbe di sposed of i n a manner approved by t he Chat ham County Heal t hDepart ment . Al l ani mal s whi ch ar e housed or encl osed shal l bepr ovi ded wi t h a sour ce of pot abl e wat er .

    22- 106 Di st ance of Ani mal Encl osur es f r om Bui l di ng.( a) Any housi ng or encl osur e used f or t he keepi ng of ani mal s orf owl shal l be kept at t he f ol l owi ng mi ni mum di st ances, except at

    pr oper t y wi t h a St at e of Geor gi a kennel l i cense, f r om anyoccupi ed bui l di ng except a dwel l i ng uni t of t he owner , unl esst he per mi ssi on of t he occupant of t he adj acent bui l di ng and t heChatham Count y Heal t h Depart ment of f i cer has gi ven per mi ssi onf or a l esser di st ance or as speci f i ed el sewher e i n t hi sordi nance.

    ( 1) One or more mul es, cat t l e, sheep, goat s orsi mi l ar ani mal s - 100 f eet .( 2) Four or mor e dogs over ni net y days ol d 100f eet .( 3) Fi ve or mor e gui nea pi gs, hamst er s or si mi l arani mal s - 100 f eet .( 4) Fi ve or mor e f owl - 100 f eet .

    ( b) A st r ay or uncl ai med dog kept on a t emporary basi s whi l eengaged i n l ooki ng f or a l awf ul owner or home, wi l l not bei ncl uded i n t he l i mi t at i on unt i l i t has been kept on t hepr emi ses f or f our t een ( 14) days.( c) Hor se st abl es ( not encl osed) shal l be a mi ni mum of onehundr ed ( 100) f eet f r om any occupi ed bui l di ng except t he

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    5/32

    22 - 5

    dwel l i ng uni t of t he owner unl ess t he owner of t he adj acentbui l di ng gr ant s appr oval and t he Chatham Count y Heal t hDepar t ment of f i cer gi ves per mi ssi on f or a l esser di st ance. Hor sest abl es bui l t and l ocat ed on pr oper t y pr i or t o Sept ember , 2005,shal l be at l east f i f t y ( 50)f eet f r om any occupi ed bui l di ng, except t he dwel l i ng uni t of t heowner , unl ess t he owner of t he bui l di ng gr ant s appr oval .( d) Ani mal s and f owl not speci f i cal l y ment i oned i n t hi s chapt ershal l be kept at a mi ni mal di st ance deemed r easonabl e andnecessary by t he Chatham Count y Heal t h Depart ment of f i cer .( e) I n case of a bona f i de l i censed pet shop or vet er i nar yhospi t al , t he Chatham Count y Heal t h Depart ment of f i cer maymodi f y these requi r ement s where undue hardshi p woul d r esul t f r omt hei r st r i ct enf or cement .

    22- 107 Nui sances.(a) The owner or person t hat i s t he cust odi an of ani mal s and f owlshal l be responsi bl e f or cor r ect i ng and abat i ng any nui sance t hatmay ar i se f r om t he keepi ng of sai d ani mal s.(b) No per son shal l al l ow any ani mal or f owl whi ch howl s, barksor emi t s audi bl e sounds t hat ar e unr easonabl y l oud or di st ur bi ngand whi ch ar e of such char act er , i nt ensi t y and dur at i on as t odi st ur b t he peace and qui et of t he nei ghbor hood. For t hepur poses of t hi s ar t i cl e, f or exampl e, a bar ki ng dog shal lmean a dog t hat bar ks, bays, cr i es, howl s i nt er mi t t ent l y f orone- hal f hour or mor e at any t i me of day or ni ght r egar dl ess ofwhet her t he dog i s physi cal l y si t uat ed on or upon pr i vat epr oper t y; pr ovi ded, however , t hat a dog shal l not be deemed a

    bar ki ng dog f or pur poses of t hi s r egul at i on, i f , at t he t i met he dog i s bar ki ng or maki ng any ot her noi se, a per son i st r espassi ng or t hr eat eni ng t o t r espass upon pr i vat e pr oper t y i nor upon whi ch t he dog i s si t uat ed or f or any ot her l egi t i mat ecause whi ch t eased or pr ovoked t he dog.

    22- 108 Penal t y.Any per son vi ol at i ng any pr ovi si ons of t hi s chapt er upon

    convi ct i on bef or e the Chat ham Count y Recor der s Cour t of t heSt ate Cour t of Chatham Count y or such other cour t of compet entj ur i sdi ct i on, shal l be subj ect t o a f i ne of not l ess t han $100

    or i n excess of $1, 000 f or each count and vi ol at i on of t hi sor di nance.

    Any per son who vi ol ates t he Rest r i ct i on on Dogs Runni ng At -Lar ge pr ovi si on shal l , upon convi ct i on i n t he Recor der s Cour tof Chat ham Count y or any ot her cour t of compet ent j ur i sdi ct i onbe subj ect t o t he f ol l owi ng t i er of f i nes:

    Fi r st of f ense: $200. 00Second of f ense: $400. 00

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    6/32

    22 - 6

    Thi r d of f ense: $800. 00

    Not e: Thi s vi ol at i on r equi r es a MANDATORY COURT APPEARANCE.Fai l ur e t o appear wi l l be subj ect t o addi t i onal penal t i es aspr ovi ded i n t he Chat ham Count y Revenue Or di nance.

    22- 109 Exempt i onsAt t he di scr et i on of t he Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer , exempt i ons

    f r om st r i ct compl i ance wi t h any pr ovi si on of t he Ani malOr di nance can be made i f t he Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer deems t heact i vi t y i s bei ng done f or educat i onal pur poses, i s ot her wi sel egal , meet s t he i nt ent of t he or di nance, and does not causeexcessi ve adver se i mpact on nei ghbor i ng pr oper t y owner s.

    22- 10910 Dead Ani mal s.( a) No per son shal l i nt ent i onal l y abandon a dead ani mal on anypr i vat e pr oper t y bel ongi ng t o anot her unl ess t he per son so doi ng

    shal l have f i r st obt ai ned per mi ssi on f r om t he owner of t heproper t y on whi ch the dog ani mal i s l ef t .( b) No person shal l abandon a dead ani mal on any publ i cpr oper t y or r i ght s of way, unl ess t he pl ace i n whi ch t he dog i sl ef t , i s a publ i c dump or ot her f aci l i t y desi gned f or r ecei vi ngsuch and desi gnat ed by Chat ham Count y as publ i c f aci l i t y f orr ecei vi ng t r ash or r ef use.( c) Chat ham Count y Publ i c Works Depar t ment i s aut hor i zed t or emove dead ani mal s f r om publ i c pr oper t y i ncl udi ng publ i cschool s, parks and r oadways.( d) Al l dead l i vest ock i ncl udi ng hor ses, cat t l e and ot her l ar geani mal s wi l l be di sposed of by the ani mal owner or t he pr oper t yowner i n accor dance wi t h St at e and l ocal r egul at i ons.( e) I t shal l be unl awf ul f or any per son t o t hr ow or put ont ot he st r eet s, l anes, squar es or ot her common publ i c pr oper t y ofChat ham County any dead ani mal .

    ARTICLE II DOGS AND CATS GENERALLY

    22- 1101 Vacci nat i on and Regi st r at i on of Dogs and Cat s.( a) The f ol l owi ng def i ni t i ons shal l appl y i n t hei nt er pr et at i ons and enf or cement of t hi s chapt er :

    Cat - The wor d cat shal l mean domest i c cat s onl y ( f el i xcat us) whet her vacci nat ed or not vacci nat ed agai nst r abi esDog - The word dog shal l mean onl y domest i cat ed dogs( cani s f ami l i ar i s) whet her vacci nat ed agai nst r abi es or notvacci nat ed.Exotic Animal - The word exot i c ani mal shal l mean anyver t ebr at e ani mal or di nar i l y conf i ned t o a zoo, or one t hatwoul d nor mal l y be f ound i n t he wi l d. Thi s i ncl udes, but i s

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    7/32

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    8/32

    22 - 8

    ( 1) Any person owni ng a dog or cat and does notcompl y wi t h t hi s shal l be i n vi ol at i on of t hi sor di nance, pr ovi ded t hat a per son shal l r egi st er hi s orher dog or cat wi t hi n t hi r t y (30) days of t he r abi esvacci nat i on, or t hi r t y ( 30) days af t er becomi ng ar esi dent of Chatham Count y. Non- compl i ance and t hei ssuance of an or di nance ci t at i on shal l r esul t i n a setf i ne of $50. 00.

    ( c) When Vacci nat i on Requi r ed; Ter m of Li cense. Al l dogs andcat s whi ch have become three mont hs of age shal l be vacci nat edand al l dogs and cats over one year of age shal l be vacci natedand annual l y ther eaf t er agai nst r abi es and t hei r owner shal lobt ai n a l i cense f or such dogs or cat s ever y 12 mont hs f ol l owi ngt he or i gi nal annual vacci nat i on and l i censi ng of dogs or cat s.( d) Tag t o be At t ached; Number of Rabi es Cer t i f i cat e; Term.

    ( 1) Ever y dog or cat whi ch has r ecei ved a r abi esvacci nat i on as set f or t h i n subsect i on ( a) above shal l

    have at t ached t o a col l ar ar ound i t s neck avacci nat i on and l i cense tag descr i bed i n subsect i on( a) above.( 2) The r abi es cer t i f i cat e shal l bear a l i cense numberi dent i f i ed wi t h t hat of t he t ag at t ached t o t he col l arof t he dog or cat . Bot h cer t i f i cat e and t ag wi l lexpi r e one year f r om dat e of i ssue.

    ( e) Fees. The vet er i nar i an s f ees f or vacci nat i on of a dogor cat shal l be set by each i ndi vi dual l i censed vet er i nar i an ort he St at e of Geor gi a. A l i cense tag wi l l be i ssued i n exchangef or a f ee as set f or t h i n t he f ol l owi ng par agr aph, whi ch wi l l be

    col l ect ed by t he Chat ham Count y I nspect i ons Bui l di ng Saf et y andRegul ator y Ser vi ces Depar t ment Ani mal Cont r ol Di vi si on f r om t heowner of each dog or cat who has r ecei ved t he ant i - r abi esvacci ne and r abi es cer t i f i cat e.

    Unneut er ed mal e dog $35

    Unneuter ed mal e cat $35

    Unneut er ed mal e dog $35

    Unneuter ed mal e cat $35

    Neut er ed mal e dog $5

    Neut ered mal e cat $5

    Spayed f emal e dog $5

    Spayed f emal e cat $5

    Al l f ees r ai sed by t hi s l i censi ng pr ocedur e shal l bedesi gnat ed and used f or Ani mal Cont r ol act i vi t i es.

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    9/32

    22 - 9

    Any per son f ai l i ng t o obt ai n t he Rabi es Li cense Tag f ort hei r cat or dog wi t hi n 30 days of t he i nocul at i on shal l besubj ect t o a $50. 00 l at e f ee.

    ( f ) Re- vacci nat i on. Wher e a l i cense has been i ssued f ol l owi ng avacci nat i on, t he owner of t he dog or dogs or cat or cat s shal lbe exempt f r om payi ng a l at e f ee pr ovi ded t he re- vacci nat i on andl i cense are acqui r ed on or bef or e t he expi r at i on dat e on t hecer t i f i cat e f or ani mal r abi es vacci nat i on i ssued by a l i censedvet er i nar i an.( g) Onl y Li censed Vet er i nar i ans t o Vacci nat e; I nf er i orVacci nat i ons.

    ( 1) No per son shal l be al l owed t o vacci nate dogs orcat s agai nst r abi es who i s not l i censed t o pr act i cevet er i nar y medi ci ne i n t he St at e of Geor gi a.( 2) A vet er i nar i an or any per son havi ng vacci nateddogs or cat s agai nst r abi es wi t h i nf er i or vacci nes or

    any dr ugs, bi ol ogi c, chemi cal or mat er i al , whi ch i snot speci f i ed i n t hi s chapt er or t hat has not beenappr oved by t he Heal t h Depar t ment , or who vi ol at es anypr ovi si on of t hi s chapt er i n whol e or i n par t shal lnot be per mi t t ed to vacci nat e dogs or cat s agai nstr abi es.

    ( h) Exempt i ons. Dogs or cat s ent er i ng uni ncorporated ChathamCount y f r om out si de t he Count y onl y f or t he pur pose ofper f ormi ng or t emporary st ay not exceedi ng f our t een ( 14) daysand kept under di r ect cont r ol of t hei r owner s or handl er s ar eexempt f r om t he l i cense t ag r equi r ement s of t hi s ar t i cl e.

    ( i ) Ti me Li mi t at i on on Obt ai ni ng Li cense. Except as provi dedby subsect i on ( b) above, i t shal l be t he dut y of al l per sonsowni ng or havi ng possessi on of a dog or cat br ought i nt ouni ncorporat ed Chat ham Count y t o have t he dog or cat vacci nat edand t o obt ai n t he vacci nat i on t ag and t he r abi es cer t i f i cat er equi r ed by t hi s ar t i cl e wi t hi n a per i od of t hi r t y ( 30) daysf r om t he dat e of such ent r y.( j ) I mpoundment of Unl i censed, Unvacci nat ed Dogs or Cat s. Anydog or cat f ound wi t hi n uni ncorporated Chatham Count y notwear i ng or di spl ayi ng a val i d, cur r ent vacci nat i on t ag and notconf i ned wi t hi n a f ence on t he pr emi ses of t he owner / cust odi an

    wi t h al l gat es and openi ngs cl osed shal l be i mmedi at el yi mpounded, quarant i ned or other wi se di sposed of as r equi r ed byt hi s ar t i cl e. Any dog or cat f ound wi t hi n uni ncor por at ed Chat hamCount y not vacci nat ed as r equi r ed by t hi s chapt er wi t hi n t hepr evi ous t wel ve ( 12) mont hs shal l be i mpounded, quarant i ned orot her wi se di sposed of as r equi r ed by t hi s chapt er .( k) Rabi es Cases t o be Repor t ed.

    ( 1) Al l ani mal s, such as dogs, cat s, hor ses, cat t l e,

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    10/32

    22 - 10

    mul es, goat s, f oxes, swi ne, r accoons, and ot herani mal s of l i ke speci es, showi ng sympt oms of or havi ngr abi es wi t hi n uni ncor por at ed Chat ham Count y shal l bei mmedi at el y r epor t ed t o t he Chat ham Count y Heal t hDepart ment , t he Ani mal Cont r ol cent er , or ChathamCount y Humane Shel t er by the owner of t he per sonhavi ng cust ody or any ci t i zen havi ng knowl edge oft hese f act s. I tshal l be t he dut y of ever y per son havi ng t hi sknowl edge t o make i mmedi atel y hi s/ her r eport .( 2) Dogs, cat s or any ani mal bei ng hel d underquar ant i ne by the owner or by a vet er i nar y hospi t al ,boar di ng or br eedi ng kennel , or any ot her per son atany other pl ace shal l i mmedi atel y upon di scover y oft he exi st ence of r abi es or i t s sympt oms be r epor t ed t ot he Chat ham Count y Heal t h Depar t ment , Ani mal Cont r olor Chatham Count y Humane shel t er wi t h a hi st ory of t he

    case and i nf ormat i on r egardi ng t he name and addr ess oft he owner . I t shal l be t he dut y of ever y per son havi ngknowl edge of t he f act s t o see t hat t he r epor t r equi r edby thi s subparagr aph i s made.

    ( l ) Quarant i ne.( 1) For any dog, cat or ani mal t hat bi t e or i nf l i cti nj ur y upon a human, sai d dog, cat or ani mal shal l bequarant i ned f or t en ( 10) days as such pl ace asdesi gnat ed by t he Chat ham County Heal t h Depar t ment orChatham Count y Ani mal Cont r ol f or pur poses ofobservi ng the heal t h condi t i on and temper ament of sai d

    dog, cat or ani mal . The Heal t h Depar t ment may i ncr easeor di mi ni sh t he per i od as, i n i t s sol e di scr et i on, t hepubl i c saf et y and heal t h may r equi r e.( 2) Wher e rabi es has been f ound t o exi st i n any warm-bl ooded ani mal or wher e i t s exi st ence i s suspect ed,t he heal t h depar t ment may desi gnat e an ar ea wi t hi nwhi ch quarant i ne shal l be mai nt ai ned as provi ded byt he t er ms of t hi s chapt er . Ever y such ani mal shal lt hereupon be i mmedi at el y conf i ned t o t he pr emi sesdesi gnat ed by t he Heal t h Depar t ment , whether or nott he ani mal has been vacci nat ed agai nst r abi es.

    ( 3) No ani mal shal l be r emoved f r om a quarant i nedarea and no ani mal shal l be br ought i nt o a quarant i nedar ea wi t hout wr i t t en per mi ssi on of t he Heal t hDepar t ment . The appl i cat i on f or suchper mi ssi on shal l be i n wr i t i ng, f i l ed wi t h t he Heal t hDepar t ment det ai l i ng t he r eason f or movement and t hel ocat i on at whi ch t he ani mal wi l l be conf i ned af t ermovement .

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    11/32

    22 - 11

    ( 4) When an ani mal has been suspect ed of havi ngr abi es or has r abi es sympt oms, t he ar ea or pr emi seswhere such ani mal s ar e kept shal l be post ed by t heHeal t h Depar t ment wi t h si gns t o read as f ol l ows:Rabi es Suspect ed or Rabi es, Keep Away Fr omAni mal s. Such si gns shal l be conspi cuousl ydi spl ayed on t he pr emi ses, pr i nt ed wi t h t ype t hat i seasi l y l egi bl e, and shal l r emai n on t he pr emi ses f ort he dur at i on of t he quar ant i ne.( 5) Per sons l i vi ng wi t hi n a quar ant i ne ar eahavi ng i n t hei r possessi on an ani mal subj ect t or abi es or t o t he t er ms of t hi s chapt er shal l begi ven wr i t t en not i ce of t he quar ant i ne, t heani mal s subj ect t her et o and an or der t o conf i net hei r ani mal s so subj ect t o the pr emi ses of t heowner , t oget her wi t h any ot her i nf or mat i on theHeal t h Depar t ment deems advi sabl e. Such not i ce

    shal l be si gned by a dul y aut hor i zed agent of t heheal t h depart ment .( 6) The vi ol at i on by any per son of anyquar ant i ne or der i ssued by t he heal t h of f i cershal l be a vi ol at i on of t hi s chapt er , and t heper son so vi ol at i ng shal l be subj ect t o al l t hepenal t i es pr escri bed by l aw f or a vi ol at i on.

    ( m) Exami nat i on of Heads. The heads of al l domest i cani mal s and of al l wi l d ani mal s suspect ed of havi ng r abi esbef or e t hei r deat h or havi ng r abi es at t i me of deat h shal l

    be submi t t ed t o t he St ate l abor at or y f or exami nat i on.Ei t her human or ani mal exposur e t o t hese ani mal s shal lconst i t ut e suf f i ci ent r eason f or l abor at or y exami nat i on.

    22- 1112 Commer ci al Pet / Ani mal Li cense.( a) Def i ni t i ons. The f ol l owi ng def i ni t i ons shal l appl y i nt he i nt er pr et at i on and enf or cement of t hi s art i cl e, and t hef ol l owi ng wor ds shal l have t he f ol l owi ng meani ngs:

    ( 1) Commer ci al Pet Ani mal Faci l i t y - The wordcommer ci al pet ani mal f aci l i t y shal l mean anypr emi ses, oper at i on or busi ness used f or t he

    commer ci al boar di ng, br eedi ng, buyi ng, sel l i ng,t r adi ng, t r ai ni ng or r ear i ng of ani mal s, i ncl udi ngguard dogs, except f or ani mal hospi t al s or gr oomi ngf aci l i t i es unconnected wi t h such acti vi t i es.( 2) Commer ci al Pet Ani mal Faci l i t y Li cense - Anyperson who mai nt ai ns wi t hi n Chat ham Count y a premi sesoperat i on or busi ness used as a commerci al petf aci l i t y shal l obt ai n a commer ci al pet ani mal f aci l i t y

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    12/32

    22 - 12

    l i cense pr i or t o t he st ar t of busi ness oper at i ons. Anyi ndi vi dual t hat shal l sel l mor e t han one l i t t er peryear or t he sal e of t hr ee adul t ani mal s per year ,shal l deem t o be oper at i ng a commer ci al pet ani malf aci l i t y and must compl y wi t h al l pr ovi si ons of petani mal l i cense pr ovi si ons.

    ( b) The appl i cant f or a commer ci al pet ani mal l i censeshal l submi t t he f ol l owi ng, i n per son, t o t he Chat hamCount y Ani mal Cont r ol :

    ( 1) A copy of a cur r ent l i cense f r om t he Geor gi aDepar t ment of Agr i cul t ur e per mi t t i ng such oper at i ons.( 2) A compl eted commerci al pet ani mal l i censeappl i cat i on.( 3) A copy of a busi ness l i cense speci f i cal l yaut hor i zi ng commer ci al pet ani mal act i vi t i es.( 4) Pr oof of cur r ent r abi es vacci nat i on by avet er i nar i an f or each dog and/ or cat over 3 mont hs of

    age on t he pr emi ses i ncl udi ng dog( s) or cat ( s) onconsi gnment .( 5) Pr oof of sat i sf act or y i nspect i on by t heDepar t ment of Agr i cul t ur e.( 6) A si gned st atement as descr i bed her ei n, agr eei ngt o compl y wi t h al l pr ovi si ons of t hi s chapt er .( 7) Payment of a $100 f ee.

    As par t of t he appl i cat i on pr ocess, i t shal l be t her esponsi bi l i t y of t he Chat ham Count y Ani mal Cont r ol t or evi ew t he appl i cat i on and make such necessary i nspect i ons

    and i nqui r i es t o conf i r m compl i ance wi t h t hese pr ovi si onsand al l ot her pr ovi si ons of t hi s or di nance.

    ( c) The commer ci al pet ani mal l i cense shal l be val i d f orone year f r om dat e of pur chase. The l i cense shal l bepr omi nent l y di spl ayed on t he l i cense pr emi ses.( d) Li cense Revocat i on and Ref usal .

    ( 1) Chatham Count y Ani mal Cont r ol shal l r evoke anycommer ci al pet ani mal l i cense i n the event anyl i censee i s f ound t o be i n vi ol at i on of any of t hepr ovi si ons of t hi s chapt er .

    ( 2) Chat ham Count y Depar t ment of Bui l di ng Saf ety andRegul at or y Ser vi ces shal l not i ssue a commer ci al petani mal l i cense to any per son, gr oup, or gani zat i on orbusi ness whi ch has been convi ct ed of vi ol at i on of anypr ovi si on of t hi s chapt er , or whi ch keeps, mai nt ai ns,or harbors any dog( s) desi gnated danger ous orpot ent i al l y danger ous, except f or guar d dogs.( 3) No commer ci al pet ani mal l i cense shal l be i ssued

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    13/32

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    14/32

    22 - 14

    22- 1134 I mpoundment of Dogs.Any dog f ound upon t he st r eet s, l anes, hi ghways, r oads orsquares of uni ncorporated Chat ham Count y, wi t hout t he corporatel i mi t s of any muni ci pal i t y t her ei n, i n vi ol at i on of t hi sar t i cl e, shal l be caught by t he Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer or hi sassi st ant and i mpounded. The Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer or hi sassi st ant shal l have t he speci f i c r i ght t o ent er upon anyunencl osed pr i vat e pr oper t y t o secur e capt ur e of any dog i nvi ol at i on of t hi s ar t i cl e. To ef f ect t he i mpoundi ng of such adog, i f necessar y, t he Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer shal l have t her i ght t o muzzl e or empl oy such other met hods as may ber easonabl y necessary t o i mpound such ani mal .

    22- 1145 Dut y of Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer .The Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer , upon f i ndi ng an ani mal whi ch

    appear s t o be abandoned shal l pr ovi de wr i t t en not i ce ofcompl ai nt t o t he owner or cust odi an, i f known, or at t he pl ace

    of r esi dence where t he ani mal was f ound. The Ani mal Cont r olof f i cer shal l r espond back t o t he resi dence wi t hi n t went y- f our( 24) hour s where not i ce of compl ai nt was pr ovi ded t o owner orcust odi an of ani mal f or t he pur pose of est abl i shi ng owner shi p ordet er mi nat i on of t he st at us of t he ani mal s heal t h and saf et y.I f t he owner or cust odi an of t he ani mal i s not l ocat ed, t heAni mal Cont r ol of f i cer shal l go upon t he pr emi ses and t akecust ody of sai d ani mal .

    22- 1156 Dogs Kept Fi ve Days.Any dog i mpounded under t he pr ovi si ons of t hi s ar t i cl e

    shal l be kept f or a mi ni mum of f i ve ( 5) days i n some conveni entpl ace, t o be known as t he Ani mal Cont r ol shel t er .

    22- 1167 Payment of Fees.Wi t hi n f i ve ( 5) days af t er a dog and/ or cat i s i mpounded, t heowner or possessor shal l come f orward and pay t he annual l i censef ee, i f he has not pai d t he same, and an i mpoundment f ee, and aboar di ng f ee. I mpoundment and boar di ng shal l be pai d bef ore ani mpounded ani mal shal l be rel eased t o t he owner or possessor .

    ( a) The i mpoundment f ee shal l be $35. 00.( b) The boardi ng f ee shal l be $10. 00 per day.

    22- 1178 Dogs Put t o Deat h.Any dog i mpounded under t hi s ar t i cl e whose owner , possessor

    or r epr esent at i ve shal l not come f or war d wi t hi n f i ve ( 5) daysaf t er t he i mpoundment and pay the l i cense t ax and t he f eesspeci f i ed i n t hi s ar t i cl e shal l be put t o deat h i n some mannerappr oved by t he Amer i can Vet er i nary Medi ci ne Associ at i on or sai dani mal shal l be adopt ed t hr ough l i censed r escue and pl acement

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    15/32

    22 - 15

    agenci es.

    22- 1189 Del egat i on of Shel t er of Dogs.The shel t er and i mpoundi ng of dogs and cat s f ound,

    i mpounded or t r apped wi t hi n Chat ham Count y, t o i ncl ude al lmuni ci pal i t i es t her ei n, i n vi ol at i on of t hi s ar t i cl e may bedel egated to and per f ormed by such organi zat i on as shal l besel ect ed by t he Boar d of County Commi ssi oners.

    22- 11920 Di sposal of Dog Excr ement .I t shal l be unl awf ul f or any per son who possesses, har bor s

    or i s i n char ge of any dog not t o i mmedi at el y remove excr ementdeposi t ed by any dog upon t he common t horoughf ares, st r eet s,si dewal ks, t r ees, l awns, pl aygr ound ar eas, par ks, squar es, andupon other publ i c pr emi ses and t he f ai l ur e t o r emove sai dexcrement shal l be deemed a publ i c nui sance and i s prohi bi t ed.

    22- 1201 Equi pment f or Removal of Dog Excr ement .I t shal l be t he dut y of any per son havi ng cust ody of any

    dog on publ i c pr oper t y to have i n such per son s possessi on adevi ce or equi pment f or t he pi cki ng up and r emoval of dogexcr ement . An accept abl e devi ce shal l i ncl ude any pl ast i c ormetal mechani zed or non- mechani zed devi ce const r uct ed f orscoopi ng pet excr ement ; a hand shovel or t r owel ; a pl ast i c orpaper bag; a st yr of oam, pl ast i c or paper cup; or any si mi l ardevi ce t hat can cont ai n and r emove t he excr ement . The use ofsheet paper , newspaper , paper napki ns, or handker chi ef i s deemedunaccept abl e and unsani t ary f or r emovi ng excr ement and shal l not

    be used. The pr ovi si ons of t hi s sect i on shal l not appl y t o a dogai di ng t he handi capped ( i . e. , gui de dog) or t o a dog when i npol i ce or r escue act i vi t i es.

    Fai l ur e of t he per son havi ng cust ody of t he dog t o removet he dog excr ement by accept abl e devi ce shal l const i t ut e avi ol at i on of t hi s or di nance and be subj ect t o a f i ne of not l esst han f i f t y ( $50. 00) or gr eat er t han t wo- hundr ed ( $200. 00)dol l ars .

    ARTICLE III- DANGEROUS/POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS

    22- 1212 Danger ous/ Pot ent i al l y Danger ous Dogs.The f ol l owi ng def i ni t i ons shal l appl y i n t he i nt er pret at i on

    and enf or cement of t hi s ar t i cl e, and t he f ol l owi ng wor ds shal lhave the f ol l owi ng meani ngs:

    Dangerous dog - Means any dog t hat , accor di ng t o t her ecor ds of an appr opr i at e aut hor i t y:

    ( a) I nf l i ct s a sever e i nj ur y on a human bei ng wi t hout

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    16/32

    22 - 16

    pr ovocat i on on publ i c or pr i vat e pr oper t y; or( b) Aggr essi vel y bi t es, at t acks, or endanger s t hesaf et y of humans or ani mal s wi t hout pr ovocat i on af t ert he dog has been cl assi f i ed as a pot ent i al l y danger ousdog and af t er t he owner has been not i f i ed of suchcl assi f i cat i on.

    Owner - Means any per son or any l egal ent i t y, i ncl udi ng,but not l i mi t ed t o, a cor por at i on, par t ner shi p, f i r m, ort r ust owni ng, possessi ng, har bor i ng, keepi ng, or havi ngcust ody or cont r ol of a danger ous dog or pot ent i al l ydanger ous dog wi t hi n t hi s st at e.Potentially dangerous dog - Means any dog, accor di ng t o t her ecor ds of an appr opr i at e aut hor i t y, t hat :

    ( a) Wi t hout pr ovocat i on, bi t es a human bei ng onpubl i c or pr i vat e pr oper t y; or( b) Wi t hout pr ovocat i on, r epeat edl y chases any humanbei ng upon t he st r eet , si dewal k or any publ i c or

    pr i vat e pr oper t y.( c) At t acks another dog, whi l e t hat dog i s bei ngl egal l y wal ked on a l eash.

    Proper enclosure - Means an encl osur e f or keepi ng adanger ous dog or potent i al l y danger ous dog whi l e on t heowner s proper t y secur el y conf i ned i ndoor s or i n a secur el yencl osed and l ocked pen, f ence, or st r uct ur e sui t abl e t opr event t he ent r y of young chi l dr en and desi gned t o pr eventt he dog f r om escapi ng. Any such st r uct ur e shal l have secur esi des and a secur e t op, and, i f t he dog i s encl osed wi t hi na f ence, al l si des of t he f ence shal l be of suf f i ci ent

    hei ght and t he bot t om of t he f ence shal l be const r uct ed orsecur ed i n such a manner as t o pr event t he dog s escapeei t her f r om over or f r om under t he f ence. Any suchencl osur e shal l al so pr ovi de pr ot ect i on f r om t he el ement sf or t he dog.Records of an appropriate authority - Means r ecor ds of anyst ate, count y, or muni ci pal l aw enf or cement agency; r ecor dsof any count y or muni ci pal ani mal cont r ol agency; r ecor dsof any count y boar d of heal t h; r ecor ds of any f eder al ,st at e, or l ocal cour t ; or r ecor ds of a dog cont r ol of f i cerpr ovi ded f or i n t hi s ar t i cl e.

    Severe injury - Means any physi cal i nj ur y t hat r esul t s i nbr oken bones or di sf i gur i ng l acer at i ons r equi r i ng mul t i pl esut ur es or cosmet i c sur ger y or a physi cal i nj ur y t hatr esul t s i n deat h.Substantial chain or leash - Means a devi ce used t or est r ai n a dog t hat cannot be br oken by t he dog under i t sown power .

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    17/32

    22 - 17

    22- 1223 Exempt i ons; I nvest i gat i on of Repor t s.( a) A dog t hat i nf l i ct s an i nj ur y upon a per son when t he dog i sbei ng used by a l aw enf orcement of f i cer t o carr y out t he l awenf or cement of f i cer s of f i ci al dut i es shal l not be a danger ousdog or potent i al l y danger ous dog wi t hi n t he meani ng of t hi sar t i cl e. A dog shal l not be a danger ous dog or a pot ent i al l ydanger ous dog wi t hi n t he meani ng of t hi s ar t i cl e i f t he i nj ur yi nf l i ct ed by t he dog was sust ai ned by a per son who, at t he t i me,was commi t t i ng a wi l l f ul t r espass or ot her t or t , or wast or ment i ng, abusi ng, or assaul t i ng t he dog, or had i n t he pastbeen obser ved or r epor t ed t o have t orment ed, abused, orassaul t ed t he dog or was commi t t i ng or at t empt i ng t o commi t acr i me.( b) Upon r ecei vi ng a r epor t of a danger ous dog or pot ent i al l ydanger ous dog wi t hi n the uni ncorporated Chatham Count y f r om al aw enf or cement agency, ani mal cont r ol agency, r abi es cont r olof f i cer , or count y boar d of heal t h, an Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer

    shal l make such i nvest i gat i ons and i nqui r i es wi t h regar d t o suchr epor t as may be necessar y t o car r y out t he pr ovi si ons of t hi sar t i cl e.

    22- 1234 Not i ce Gener al l y.When an Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer cl assi f i es a dog as a

    danger ous dog or r ecl assi f i es a pot ent i al l y danger ous dog as adanger ous dog, t he Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer shal l not i f y t he dog sowner i n wr i t i ng by cer t i f i ed mai l t o the owner s l ast knownaddr ess of such cl assi f i cat i on or r ecl assi f i cat i on. Such not i ceshal l be compl et e upon i t s mai l i ng. I n t he al t er nat i ve, at t he

    sol e di scret i on of t he Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer , a per sonalser vi ce may be made.

    22- 1245 Scope of Procedur es.As appl i ed t o the owner s of pot ent i al l y danger ous dogs, t he

    pr ocedur es pr ovi ded f or i n t hi s ar t i cl e shal l be car r i ed out asa necessar y condi t i on f or t he enf or cement of t he pr ovi si ons oft hi s ar t i cl e agai nst such owner s. As appl i ed t o t he owner s ofdanger ous dogs, t he pr ocedur es pr ovi ded f or i n t hi s ar t i cl eshal l not be an essent i al el ement of any cr i me pr ovi ded f or i nt hi s ar t i cl e.

    22- 1256 Not i ce t o Owner of Cl assi f i cat i on.When a dangerous dog or pot ent i al l y dangerous dog i s

    cl assi f i ed as such, t he Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer shal l not i f y t hedog s owner of such cl assi f i cat i on.

    22- 1267 Requi r ement s of Not i ce t o Owner .The not i ce t o t he owner shal l meet t he f ol l owi ng

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    18/32

    22 - 18

    r equi r ement s:( a) The not i ce shal l be i n wr i t i ng and mai l ed by cer t i f i ed mai lt o t he owner s l ast known addr ess or hand del i ver ed;( b) The not i ce shal l i ncl ude a summar y of t he Ani mal Cont r olOf f i cer s f i ndi ngs t hat f or med t he basi s f or t he dog scl assi f i cat i on as a danger ous or pot ent i al l y danger ous dog;( c) The not i ce shal l be dat ed and shal l st at e t hat t he owner ,wi t hi n f i f t een ( 15) days af t er t he dat e shown on t he not i ce, hasa r i ght t o r equest a hear i ng on t he Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer sdet er mi nat i on t hat t he dog i s a danger ous dog or pot ent i al l ydangerous dog;( d) The not i ce shal l st at e t hat t he hear i ng, i f r equest ed,shal l be bef ore t he Heal t h Depart ment ;( e) The not i ce shal l st at e t hat i f a hear i ng i s not r equest ed,t he Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer s det er mi nat i on t hat t he dog i s adangerous dog or a pot ent i al l y dangerous dog shal l becomeef f ect i ve f or al l pur poses under t hi s ar t i cl e on a dat e

    speci f i ed i n t he not i ce, whi ch shal l be af t er t he l ast day onwhi ch t he owner has a r i ght t o request a hear i ng; and( f ) The not i ce shal l i ncl ude a f or m t o r equest a hear i ng bef or et he Heal t h Depar t ment and shal l pr ovi de speci f i c i nst r uct i ons onmai l i ng or del i ver i ng such r equest t o t he agency.

    22- 1278 Hear i ng.When t he Heal t h Depar t ment r ecei ves a r equest f or a hear i ng

    as pr ovi ded i n t hi s ar t i cl e, i t shal l schedul e such hear i ngwi t hi n t hi r t y (30) days af t er r ecei vi ng t he r equest . The Heal t hDepar t ment shal l not i f y the dog owner i n wr i t i ng by cer t i f i ed

    mai l of t he dat e, t i me, and pl ace of t he hear i ng, and suchnot i ce shal l be sent by cer t i f i ed mai l or per sonal ser vi ce t ot he dog owner at l east t en days pr i or t o the dat e of t hehear i ng. At t he hear i ng, t he owner of t he dog shal l be gi ven t heoppor t uni t y t o t est i f y and pr esent evi dence, and i n addi t i ont her et o t he Heal t h Depart ment shal l r ecei ve such other evi denceand hear such ot her t est i mony as t he heal t h depar t ment may f i ndr easonabl y necessar y t o make a det er mi nat i on ei t her t o sust ai n,modi f y, or over r ul e t he Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer s cl assi f i cat i onof t he dog.

    22- 1289 Not i ce of Det er mi nat i on Af t er Hear i ng.Wi t hi n t en ( 10) days af t er t he dat e of t he hear i ng, t heHeal t h Depar t ment shal l not i f y t he dog owner i n wr i t i ng bycer t i f i ed mai l of i t s det er mi nat i on on t he mat t er . I f suchdet er mi nat i on i s t hat t he dog i s a danger ous dog or apot ent i al l y danger ous dog, t he ef f ect i ve dat e wi l l be 15 daysf r om t he dat e of t he hear i ng.

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    19/32

    22 - 19

    22- 12930 Cer t i f i cat e of Regi str at i on.I t i s unl awf ul f or an owner t o have or possess wi t hi n t hi s

    st ate a danger ous dog or potent i al l y danger ous dog wi t hout acer t i f i cat e of r egi st r at i on i ssued i n accor dance wi t h t hef ol l owi ng pr ovi si ons:( a) The owner shal l pr ovi de a pr oper encl osur e t o conf i ne t hedanger ous or pot ent i al l y danger ous dog.( b) Any dog cl assi f i ed as danger ous or pot ent i al l y danger ousshal l be requi r ed t o be mi cr o chi pped f or per manenti dent i f i cat i on by a l i censed vet er i nar i an at t he owner sexpense.( c) Any ani mal f ound t o be a potent i al l y danger ous dog ordanger ous dog shal l be spayed or neut er ed wi t hi n f i f t een ( 15)days of t he Heal t h Depart ment s det er mi nat i on t hat sai d dog i s adanger ous dog or a potent i al l y danger ous dog.( d) The owner shal l be requi r ed to post t he pr emi ses wher e t heani mal i s l ocat ed wi t h a cl ear l y vi si bl e si gn, i ssued by the

    ani mal cont r ol agency, cont ai ni ng a symbol desi gned to war n al lci t i zens, i ncl udi ng chi l dr en, t hat t her e i s a danger ous orpotent i al l y danger ous dog on t he pr oper t y; t he number of si gnswi l l be det er mi ned by t he Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer .( e) I t shal l be unl awf ul t o di spl ay t he above danger ous dog si gnat l ocat i ons or on pr emi ses where no such dangerous orpot ent i al l y danger ous dog exi st s or i s l ocat ed.( f ) The r egi st r at i on f ee shal l be $150. 00 f or a pot ent i al l ydangerous dog annual l y and $250. 00 f or a dangerous dog annual l y.I t shal l be a r equi r ement t hat one war ni ng si gns shal l bei ncl uded i n t hi s f ee and addi t i onal si gns as may be r equi r ed

    shal l cost an ext r a $35. 00 per si gn.( g) I n addi t i on t o the r equi r ement s above, t he owner of adanger ous dog shal l pr esent t o t he Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cerevi dence t hat t he dog has been spayed or neutered, and evi denceo f :

    ( 1) A pol i cy of i nsur ance i n t he amount of at l east$25, 000. 00 $50, 000. 00 or more i ssued by a sur etycompany aut hor i zed t o t r ansact busi ness i n t hi s st at ei nsur i ng the owner of t he danger ous dog agai nstl i abi l i t y f or any per sonal i nj ur i es i nf l i ct ed by t hedangerous dog; or

    ( 2) A sur et y bond i n the amount of $25, 000. 00$50, 000. 00 or mor e i ssued by a sur et y companyaut hor i zed t o t r ansact busi ness i n t hi s st at e payabl et o any per son or per sons i nj ur ed by t he danger ous dog.

    ( h) The owner of a danger ous or potent i al l y dangerous dog shal lnot i f y t he Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer as soon as possi bl e, but i n nocase l ess t han t went y- f our ( 24) hour s i f t he dog i s on t hel oose, i s unconf i ned, has at t acked a human, has di ed, or has

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    20/32

    22 - 20

    been sol d or donated. I f t he dog has been sol d or donated, t heowner shal l al so pr ovi de t he ani mal cont r ol of f i cer wi t h t hename, address, and t el ephone number of t he new owner of t he dog.( i ) The owner of a dangerous dog or pot ent i al l y dangerousdog shal l not i f y t he Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer i f t he owner i smovi ng f r om t he dog cont r ol of f i cer s j ur i sdi ct i on. The owner ofa danger ous dog or pot ent i al l y danger ous dog who i s a newr esi dent of t he St at e of Geor gi a shal l r egi st er t he dog asr equi r ed i n t hi s Code sect i on wi t hi n t hi r t y ( 30) days af t erbecomi ng a r esi dent . The owner of a danger ous dog or potent i al l ydanger ous dog who moves f r om one j ur i sdi ct i on t o another wi t hi nt he St at e of Geor gi a shal l r egi st er t he danger ous dog orpot ent i al l y danger ous dog i n t he new j ur i sdi ct i on wi t hi n t en( 10) days af t er becomi ng a r esi dent .( j ) I ssuance of a cer t i f i cat e of r egi st r at i on or t her enewal of cer t i f i cat e of r egi st r at i on by Chat ham Count y Ani malCont r ol shal l not war r ant or guar ant ee t hat t he r equi r ement s

    speci f i ed are mai nt ai ned by t he owner of a dangerous dog orpot ent i al l y danger ous dog on a cont i nuous basi s f ol l owi ng t hedat e of t he i ssuance of t he i ni t i al cer t i f i cat e of r egi str at i onor f ol l owi ng t he dat e of any annual r enewal of such cer t i f i cat e.( k) An Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer shal l be aut hor i zed t o makewhat ever i nqui r y i s deemed necessary t o ensur e compl i ance wi t ht he pr ovi si ons of t hi s sect i on. Law enf or cement agenci es ofl ocal gover nment s and t he sher i f f s of count i es shal l cooper at ewi t h Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer s i n enf or ci ng t he pr ovi si ons of t hi ssect i on.

    22- 1301 Rest r ai nt of Dangerous Dog.I t shal l be unl awf ul f or an owner of a danger ous dog t o

    per mi t t he dog t o be out si de a pr oper encl osur e unl ess t he dogi s muzzl ed and r est r ai ned by a subst ant i al chai n or l eash and i sunder t he physi cal r est r ai nt of a responsi bl e per son. The muzzl eshal l be made i n a manner t hat wi l l not cause i nj ur y to t he dogor i nt er f er e wi t h i t s vi si on or r espi r at i on but shal l pr event i tf r om bi t i ng any per son.

    22- 1312 Rest r ai nt of Pot ent i al l y Danger ous Dog.I t shal l be unl awf ul f or t he owner of a pot ent i al l y

    dangerous dog t o permi t t he dog t o be out si de a pr oper encl osur eunl ess t he dog i s muzz l ed and r est r ai ned by a subst ant i al chai nor l eash and i s under t he physi cal r est r ai nt of a r esponsi bl eper son. The muzzl e shal l be made i n a manner t hat wi l l not causei nj ur y t o t he dog or i nt er f er e wi t h i t s vi si on or r espi r at i onbut wi l l pr event i t f r om bi t i ng any per son.

    22- 1323 Conf i scat i on of Danger ous Dog.

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    21/32

    22 - 21

    A dangerous dog shal l be i mmedi at el y conf i scat ed by t heAni mal Cont r ol of f i cer or by a l aw enf or cement of f i cer or byanot her per son aut hor i zed by t he Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer i f t he:( a) Owner of t he dog does not secur e t he l i abi l i t y i nsur ance orbond r equi r ed i n t hi s ar t i cl e;( b) Dog i s not val i dl y r egi st er ed as r equi r ed;

    ( c) Dog i s not mai nt ai ned i n a pr oper encl osur e; or( d) Dog i s out si de a pr oper encl osur e wi t hout speci f i edrest rai nt s .( e) Shoul d t he owner f ai l t o pr ovi de t he document sout l i ned i n 22- 130 of t hi s or di nance or t he pr ovi si ons of t hi ssubsect i on, t he dangerous dog shal l be i mpounded. The dangerousdog shal l be hel d f or t en ( 10) days dur i ng whi ch t i me the ownermay demonst r at e compl i ance wi t h 22- 130 and subsect i ons ( a)t hr ough ( d) above. Shoul d t he owner f ai l t o compl y wi t h anypr ovi si on of t he af or ement i oned sect i on and subsect i ons, t hent he dog shal l be subj ect t o eut hanasi a.

    22- 1334 Conf i scat i on of Pot ent i al l y Danger ous Dog.A pot ent i al l y danger ous dog shal l be conf i scat ed i n t he

    same manner as a dangerous dog i f t he dog i s:( a) Not val i dl y regi st er ed as r equi r ed;( b) Not mai nt ai ned i n a pr oper encl osur e; or( c) Out si de a pr oper encl osur e wi t hout speci f i edrest rai nt s .

    22- 1345 Ret ur n Af t er Conf i scat i on.Any dog t hat has been conf i scat ed under t he pr ovi si ons of

    t hi s ar t i cl e shal l be r et ur ned t o i t s owner upon t he owner scompl i ance wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of t hi s art i cl e and upon t hepayment of r easonabl e conf i scat i on cost s. I n the event t he ownerhas not compl i ed wi t h t he pr ovi si ons of t hi s ar t i cl e wi t hi n t en( 10) days of t he dat e t he dog was conf i scated, sai d dog shal l beput t o deat h i n accor dance wi t h an appr oved AVMA met hod ofeut hanasi a admi ni st er ed by a cer t i f i ed t echni ci an.

    22- 1356 Li abi l i t y.The owner of a dangerous dog or pot ent i al l y dangerous dog

    shal l be sol el y l i abl e f or any i nj ur y t o or deat h of a per son

    caused by such dog. Under no ci r cumst ances shal l a l ocalgover nment or any empl oyee or of f i ci al of a l ocal gover nmentwhi ch enf or ces or f ai l s t o enf or ce t he pr ovi si ons of t hi sar t i cl e be hel d l i abl e f or any damages t o any per son who suf f er san i nj ur y i nf l i ct ed by a dog t hat has been i dent i f i ed as bei ng adangerous dog or pot ent i al l y dangerous dog or by a dog t hat hasbeen r epor t ed t o t he pr oper aut hor i t i es as bei ng a danger ous orpotent i al l y danger ous dog or by a dog t hat a l ocal gover nment

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    22/32

    22 - 22

    has f ai l ed t o i dent i f y as a danger ous dog or pot ent i al l ydangerous dog or by a dog whi ch has been i dent i f i ed as bei ng adangerous dog or pot ent i al l y dangerous dog but has not been keptor r est r ai ned i n the pr escr i bed manner or by a danger ous dog orpotent i al l y danger ous dog whose [ of whi ch i t s] owner has notmai nt ai ned i nsurance cover age or suret y bond as r equi r ed.

    22- 1367 Dogf i ght i ng.Dogf i ght i ng shal l be enf or ced under t he pr ovi si ons of St at e

    l aw.

    ARTICLE IV- DOGS AND CATS OTHER

    22- 1378 Ani mal Negl ect .A per son t hat i s t he owner or cust odi an of any ani mal may

    be f ound t o be gui l t y of ani mal negl ect by a f i ndi ng t hat anyone or mor e of t he f ol l owi ng condi t i ons wer e al l owed t o exi st :( a) Lack of i mmedi at el y avai l abl e pr oper dr i nki ng wat er ori nadequat e suppl y of dr i nkabl e wat er .( b) Lack of whol esome, pal atabl e, f r ee f r om cont ami nat i on f oodor sust enance t o be pr ovi ded i n suf f i ci ent quant i t y.( c) Fai l ur e t o pr ovi de an ani mal suf f i ci ent space t o stand t of ul l hei ght , t ur n around, l ay down and make normal post ur aladj ust ment s f or comf or t .( d) The l ack of provi di ng a st at i onary shel t er f r om weat hersuch as sun, r ai n, wi nd or i ncl ement weat her or t o mai nt ai n sai dshel t er i n a cl ean, sani t ar y condi t i on f r ee of excr ement andunr easonabl e obj ect i onabl e odor s.

    ( e) To have an ani mal i n possess i on t hat i s known t o orsuspect ed t o have an i nj ur y, acci dent al or del i ber at e, or t oexhi bi t any si gns of di sease, shock, t emper at ur e f l uct uat i ons,t r emor s, swel l i ng, open wounds, i nabi l i t y t o eat , bl i st er i ng orabnor mal bl eedi ng, par t i al par al ysi s, di schar gi ng bl ood ormucus. Fai l ur e t o make arr angement s f or vet er i nary car e.

    22- 1389 Ani mal Cr uel t y.A per son commi t s an act of ani mal cr uel t y when such per son

    causes t he deat h or unj ust i f i ed physi cal pai n and suf f er i ng ofan ani mal or mal i ci ousl y causes t he deat h, physi cal har m t o t he

    ani mal r ender i ng par t s of t he ani mal usel ess or ser i ousl ydi sf i gur ed or wi t h knowl edge or i nt ent commi t s any of t he act sset f or t h i n Sect i on 22- 1378. Thi s pr ovi si on shal l not appl y t oany per son eut hani zi ng an ani mal due to a di sease or act i ont aken t o avoi d pai n and suf f er i ng.

    Any per son convi ct ed of sai d act shal l pay a f i ne of notl ess t han $1, 000 and be i mpr i soned f or a per i od of not l ess t hansi x ( 6) mont hs or more than one year .

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    23/32

    22 - 23

    22- 13940 Tet her i ng.

    I t shal l be pr ohi bi t ed i n uni ncor por at ed Chat ham Count y t or et ai n or conf i ne t o pr oper t y of dogs or cat s i n a mannerachi eved by st at i onar y or non- st at i onar y dog houses, bar r el s orother st at i onary obj ect as such means of conf i nement wi t hi n t hepr oper t y.

    22- 1401 Ani mal Tr anspor t ed by Vehi cl es.No ani mal s shal l be t r anspor t ed on a publ i c r oad i n an open

    vehi cl e i ncl udi ng an open t op vehi cl e or open t r uck bed unl esshoused i n a secur ed cont ai ner desi gned f or t hat pur pose andhavi ng a pr ovi si on f or adequat e vent i l at i on, f ood and wat er .Sai d cont ai ner shal l have an open gr i l l e on one end, a sol i d t opand bot t om and a mi ni mum of 15% t otal accumul ated si de ar easi ncor por at ed i nt o an open gr i l l e f or ai r ci r cul at i on pr ovi si ons.Chat ham Count y Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer s shal l be ent i t l ed t o

    i mpound and ci t e t he owner or cust odi an of any ani mal bei ngt r anspor t ed i n vi ol at i on of t he t er m of t hi s ar t i cl e.

    22- 1412 Ani mal Conf i nement and Lef t Unat t ended i n Parked Car .I t shal l be unl awf ul t o l eave an ani mal unat t ended i n a par kedvehi cl e wi t hout pr oper vent i l at i on t o pr event t he ani mal f r omsuf f er i ng physi cal di st r ess f r om danger ous t emper at ur es, l ack off ood or l ack of water . Chatham Count y Ani mal Cont r ol or anyot her l aw enf or cement shal l t ake such act i on as i s necessar yi ncl udi ng ent r y of t he vehi cl e by any means t o remove an ani malf r om such j eopar dy and may i mpound sai d ani mal and secur e

    medi cal t r eatment f or sai d ani mal as needed at t he owner sexpense. Chatham Count y Ani mal Cont r ol of f i cer s may t akepossessi on of any deceased ani mal f ound i n any parked vehi cl ef or pur poses of det er mi ni ng t he cause of deat h i n quest i onpur suant t o ani mal negl ect or cr uel t y of t hi s code.

    22- 1423 Li mi t at i on on Cat s.No person who i s t he owner or cust odi an of any si ngl e

    f ami l y resi dence shal l have gr eat er t han ei ght ( 8) cat s, unl essal l ani mal s are per manent l y conf i ned t o the act ual l i vi ng spaceof t he f ami l y r esi dence. The owner or cust odi an i n vi ol at i on

    must al so be i n compl i ance wi t h Chatham Count y pr ovi si ons asst at ed i n t hi s chapt er . Thi s pr ohi bi t i on shal l not i ncl ude anycat t hat has a l i t t er l ess t han f our mont hs of age whi ch wi l l beconf i ned t o t he act ual l i vi ng space of t he f ami l y resi dence.

    22- 1434 St r ay Dog and Cat .Any person who i nt ends t o pr ovi de car e and sust enance f or

    any dog or cat shal l be deemed t o be the cust odi an of sai d dog

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    24/32

    22 - 24

    or cat unl ess a t r ue and r i ght f ul owner i s l ocat ed. No per sonshal l f eed or pr ovi de sust enance t o any ani mal , dog or cat upont he publ i c pr oper t y or pr i vat e pr oper t y of ot her s, except wi t ht he expr ess per mi ssi on of t he owner of sai d ani mal or pr oper t yowner upon whi ch sai d f ood or sust enance i s bei ng pr ovi ded.

    ARTICLE V- ANIMALS OTHER THAN DOGS AND CATS

    22- 145 Def i ni t i onsWhenever used i n t hi s or di nance t he f ol l owi ng words and phr asesshal l have t he f ol l owi ng meani ngs unl ess t he cont ext cl ear l yr equi r es a di f f er ent meani ng.

    a. Adequate Food: The pr ovi si on on a dai l y basi s of aquant i t y of whol esome f oodst uf f sui t abl e f or t he speci esand age, suf f i ci ent t o mai nt ai n a reasonabl e l evel ofnut r i t i on i n each ani mal , and mai nt ai n t he ani mal i n goodheal t h and comf or t . Such f oodst uf f shal l be ser ved i n a

    r ecept acl e, di sh, or cont ai ner t hat i s physi cal l y cl ean andf r om whi ch agent s i nj ur i ous t o heal t h have been r emoved ordest r oyed t o a pr act i cal mi ni mum.b. Adequate Shelter: An encl osur e of at l east t hr ee si desand a r oof , and whi ch i s st r uct ur al l y sound, mai nt ai ned i ngood r epai r , i s wat er and wi nd r esi st ant , pr ovi des someshade f r om t he di r ect r ays of t he sun and assures adequatevent i l at i on and l i ght .c. Adequate Water: A const ant access t o a suppl y ofcl ean, f r esh, wat er pr ovi ded i n a sani t ar y manner . I n nearor bel ow f r eezi ng t emperat ur es, t he wat er must be changed

    f r equent l y so as t o pr event f r eezi ng.d. Animal Control Officer: A Chat ham Count y SavannahMet r opol i t an Pol i ce Depar t ment empl oyee desi gnat ed t oenf orce the Chatham Count y Ani mal Cont r ol Or di nance and al lst ate l aws r egar di ng r abi es and ani mal s.e. Apiary: A pl ace wher e bees and beehi ves ar e kept ,especi al l y a pl ace wher e bees are r ai sed f or t hei r honey.f . At Large: An ani mal shal l be deemed t o be at l argewhen i t i s of f t he pr oper t y of i t s owner or keeper and notunder physi cal r est r ai nt of some compet ent per son.g. Beekeeper means a person who owns or has charge of oneor mor e col oni es of bees.h. Colony or hive means an aggr egat e of bees consi st i ngpr i nci pal l y of wor ker s, but havi ng, when per f ect , one queenand at t i me many dr ones, i ncl udi ng brood, combs, honey andt he r ecept acl e i nhabi t ed by t he bees.i . Event or Festival: A t r ansi t or y gat her i ng of a gr oupof peopl e i n a si ngl e l ocat i on i n connect i on wi t h a si ngl eevent , f ai r , f est i val or cel ebr at i on. The per i od of t i me

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    25/32

    22 - 25

    can be no more t han 14 consecut i ve days.j . Health Department: Chatham Count y Publ i c Heal t hDepar t ment .k. Health Director: The Di r ect or of t he Chatham Count yPubl i c Heal t h Depart ment or desi gnee.l . Livestockmeans ani mal s i ncl udi ng, but not l i mi t ed t o,f owl , hor ses, mul es, bur r os, asses, cat t l e, sheep, goat s,l l amas, emu, ost r i ches, r abbi t s, swi ne, or ot her f ar mani mal s excl udi ng dogs and cat s. m. Owner or Keeper: Any per son, or gani zat i on, gr oup ofper sons, or associ at i on t hat has a pr oper t y r i ght i n anani mal , as def i ned i n t hi s Ar t i cl e, keeps or har bor s anani mal , has an ani mal i n t hei r car e or act s as a cust odi anof an ani mal as a t emporary car et aker act i ng on behal f oft he ani mal s owner . n. Provoke: Any act i on desi gned t o goad, i nf l ame,i nst i gat e or st i mul at e an aggr essi ve r esponse on t he par t

    of an ani mal , but not i ncl udi ng any act i ons on t he par t ofan i ndi vi dual t hat per t ai n t o r easonabl e ef f or t s of sel f -def ense agai nst a dangerous ani mal . Any aut hor i zed orot her wi se l awf ul ent r y ont o t he pr oper t y of anot her shal lnot const i t ut e pr ovocat i on. o. Public Nuisance:An ani mal , or gr oup of ani mal s, maybe consi der ed t o be a publ i c nui sance i f , by way of exampl eand not of l i mi t at i on:

    1. The ani mal bi t es or at t acks a person; causes i nj ury t odomest i cat ed ani mal s or pet s; or r epeatedl y chases orsnaps at per sons, domest i cat ed ani mal s, pet s, or vehi cl es

    when i t i s not i n an encl osur e, l eashed, or on t heowner s or keeper s proper t y.2. The ani mal habi t ual l y and r epeat edl y barks, whi nes,howl s, OR makes other noi ses so as t o ser i ousl y i nt er f er ewi t h t he r easonabl e use and enj oyment by nei ghbor i ngr esi dent s of t hei r pr oper t y, or makes noi ses i n excess oft hat al l owed wi t hout a per mi t as regul ated i n Chapt er 24Envi r onment al Regul at i ons, Ar t i cl e I I I Noi se Cont r ol .3. An ani mal i s f ound at l ar ge, as def i ned her ei n.4. The ani mal damages t he proper t y of anyone ot her t hani t s owner or keeper , i ncl udi ng but not l i mi t ed t o,

    t ur ni ng over garbage cont ai ner s or damagi ng gardens,f l ower s, shr ubber y, veget abl es, t r ees, f ences, or gat es.5. The number and t ype of ani mal s or t he met hod ofconf i nement of t he ani mal s i s such as t o be of f ensi ve ordanger ous t o t he publ i c heal t h, saf et y, or wel f ar e, ort he wel f ar e of t he ani mal s.

    p. Undeveloped property means any i dl e l and t hat i s noti mproved or i n t he pr ocess of bei ng i mpr oved wi t h any

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    26/32

    22 - 26

    st r uct ur es or i mpr ovement s i nt ended f or human use oroccupancy and t he gr ounds mai nt ai ned i n associ at i ont her ewi t h. The t er m shal l be deemed t o i ncl ude pr oper t ydevel oped excl usi vel y as a st r eet or hi ghway or pr oper t yused f or commer ci al agr i cul t ur al pur poses.

    22- 146 Adequat e f ood, shel t er and wat erAl l ani mal s shal l be pr ovi ded wi t h adequat e f ood, adequat e

    shel t er , and adequat e wat er as def i ned.

    22- 147 Publ i c Nui sanceI t shal l be unl awf ul f or any per son t o keep or have wi t hi n

    t he count y any ani mal whi ch const i t ut es a publ i c nui sance asdef i ned.

    22- 148 Feedi ng of f er al f owl or ot her ani mal sAny person pr ovi di ng car e and sust enance to any f owl or

    ot her ani mal shal l be deemed t o be t he owner of sai d ani mal andshal l be subj ect t o al l t he r egul at i ons of t hi s or di nance. Noper son shal l f eed or pr ovi de sust enance to any ani mal on publ i cpr oper t y or t he pr i vat e pr oper t y of ot her s, except wi t hper mi ssi on of t he pr oper t y owner .

    22- 149 Exper t Consul t ant s Rost erThe pur pose of t he Exper t Consul t ant s Rost er i s t o assi st

    t he Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer i n enf or cement of t he sect i ons of t heor di nance per t ai ni ng t o ani mal s ot her t han cat s and dogs.

    a. Members. Member s wi l l be appoi nted by the Chat hamCount y Heal t h Depart ment Di r ect or t o ser ve f or a one year ,r enewabl e t er m. The r ost er shoul d cont ai n at l east t hr eemember s wi t h exper t knowl edge about chi ckens, t hree member swi t h exper t knowl edge about beekeepi ng, a publ i c heal t hexper t and a vet er i nar i an.

    b. Duties.1. The members of t he Exper t Consul t ant s Rost er may becal l ed by t he Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer t o respond t ocompl ai nt s i nvol vi ng t hei r ar ea of exper t i se.2. The Exper t shal l i nvest i gat e t he compl ai nt wi t hi n 48hour s, or i nf or m t he Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer i f t hat i s

    not possi bl e.3. I t wi l l be t he r esponsi bi l i t y of t he Exper t t o assesst he si t uat i on and det er mi ne i f a vi ol at i on of t heOr di nance exi st s. I f i t i s det er mi ned t hat a ci t at i on i sr equi r ed, t he Ani mal Cont r ol Of f i cer may i ssue sai dci t at i on. Any nui sance vi ol at i on may be i ssued at t hedi scret i on of an Ani mal cont r ol Of f i cer wi t h or wi t houtt he ass i st ance of an Expert Panel member .

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    27/32

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    28/32

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    29/32

    22 - 29

    Regar dl ess of par cel si ze, i f al l pr oper t y, ot her t han t heapi ar y par cel , wi t hi n a 200 f oot r adi us f r om t he hi ve i sundevel oped pr oper t y, t her e shal l be no l i mi t t o t he numberof col oni es.

    22- 151 Chi ckensChi ckens kept f or personal , non- commerci al , pur poses may be

    per mi t t ed pr ovi ded t he f ol l owi ng requi r ement s ar e met :a. Number of chickens. One chi cken per 1000 squar e f eetof hi gh gr ound shal l be per mi t t ed, pr ovi ded, however , t hemaxi mum number of chi ckens per mi t t ed i s 30. More t han 30chi ckens shal l const i t ut e a poul t r y f ar m and must meet al lzoni ng and ot her r egul at i ons.b. Tethering. I t shal l be pr ohi bi t ed t o r et ai n or conf i nechi ckens or other f owl i n a manner achi eved by tet her i ng t ost at i onar y or non- st at i onar y obj ect s i ncl udi ng but notl i mi t ed t o, chi cken coops or bar r el s.

    c. Buiding Permit. A bui l di ng per mi t i s r equi r ed f orchi cken coops or shel t er s wi t h t he f ol l owi ng except i ons:

    a. Chi cken coops or shel t er s not over f our f eethi gh; orb. Chi cken coops or shel t er s t hat have at l eastt hr ee si des t hat ar e non- sol i d, open wi r econst r uct i on; orc. Chi cken t r act or s.

    d. Minimum setback requirements. The mi ni mum set back ofchi cken habi t at f r om nei ghbor i ng l i vi ng quar t er s i sdet ermi ned by the number of bi r ds and shal l be:

    1. Up t o 10 bi r ds: 25 f eet ,2. Mor e t han 10 bi r ds: 50 f eet .

    Thi s set back r equi r ement may be wai ved i f t he adj oi ni ngnei ghbor ( s) pr ovi des wr i t t en per mi ssi on. I f a nei ghborchanges, wr i t t en per mi ssi on f r om t he new nei ghbor i sr equi r ed.

    22- 152 Ot her speci es of poul t r yOt her speci es of poul t r y i ncl udi ng peaf owl , gui nea f owl ,

    ducks, geese, r oost ers, and t ur keys, known t o make more noi set han chi ckens, kept f or per sonal , non- commer ci al , pur poses may

    be per mi t t ed pr ovi ded t he f ol l owi ng r equi r ement s ar e met :a. Number of poultry: The maxi mum number of poul t r yper mi t t ed i s 30. Mor e t han 30 poul t r y shal l const i t ut e apoul t r y f arm and must meet al l zoni ng and ot herr egul at i ons.b. Minimum parcel size. Ot her speci es of poul t r y may notbe kept on par cel s l ess t han t wo acr es i n si ze.c. Minimum setback requirements. The mi ni mum set back of

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    30/32

    22 - 30

    t he poul t r y habi t at shal l be 250 f eet f r om any occupi edbui l di ng except t he dwel l i ng uni t of t he owner .

    22- 153 Smal l mammal sSmal l mammal s housed outsi de such as r abbi t s, gui nea pi gs

    and ot her smal l mammal s kept f or personal , non- commerci al ,pur poses may be permi t t ed pr ovi ded t he f ol l owi ng r equi r ement sare met :

    a. Number of small mammals: One smal l mammal per 1000squar e f eet of hi gh gr ound wi l l be per mi t t ed, pr ovi ded,however , t he maxi mum number of mammal s per mi t t ed i s 30.e. Minimum setback requirements. The mi ni mum set back ofsmal l mammal habi t at f r om nei ghbor i ng l i vi ng quar t er s i sdet ermi ned by the number of bi r ds and shal l be:

    3. Up t o 10 mammal s: 25 f eet ,4. Mor e t han 10 mammal s: 50 f eet .

    Thi s set back r equi r ement may be wai ved i f t he adj oi ni ng

    nei ghbor ( s) pr ovi des wr i t t en per mi ssi on. I f a nei ghborchanges, wr i t t en per mi ssi on f r om t he new nei ghbor i sr equi r ed.

    22- 154 Tot al number of chi ckens, other poul t r y and smal lmammal s

    The t ot al number of chi ckens, ot her poul t r y and smal lmammal s shal l not exceed one ani mal per 1000 squar e f eet of hi ghgr ound.

    22- 155 Horses

    Horses may be permi t t ed pr ovi ded t he f ol l owi ng r equi r ement s ar emet :

    a. Minimum parcel size. Hor ses shal l not be kept on par cel sl ess t han one acr e i n si ze.b.Proper drainage. Horses shal l be kept on hi gh gr ound wi t hpr oper dr ai nage.c. Minimum setback. Hor se st abl es ( not encl osur es or f ences)shal l be a mi ni mum of 100 f eet f r om any occupi ed bui l di ngexcept t he dwel l i ng uni t of t he owner unl ess t he owner of t headj acent bui l di ng and t he heal t h of f i cer gi ve per mi ssi on f or al esser di st ance. Hor se st abl es bui l t on pr oper t y pr i or t o

    Febr uar y 15, 2007, shal l be at l east f i f t y ( 50) f eet f r om anoccupi ed bui l di ng, except t he dwel l i ng uni t of t he owner ,unl ess t he owner of t he bui l di ng and t he heal t h of f i cergr ant ed appr oval .

    22- 156 Pi gsPi gs kept f or per sonal , non- commer ci al , pur poses may be

    per mi t t ed pr ovi ded t he f ol l owi ng requi r ement s ar e met :

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    31/32

    22 - 31

    a. Number of pigs: One pi g per 1000 square f eet of hi ghgr ound wi l l be per mi t t ed.b. Minimum parcel size. Pi gs shal l not be kept on par cel sl ess t han t wo acr es i n si ze, except as pr ovi ded f or bel ow.c. Minimum parcel size exemption. Swi ne speci es such asMi ni at ur e Vi et namese, Chi nese, or Or i ent al pot - bel l i ed pi gs( sus scrof a vi t t at us) shal l be per mi t t ed on any par cel ,r egar dl ess of si ze, subj ect t o t he f ol l owi ng:

    1. The maxi mum hei ght of t he pi g i s no great er t han18 i nches at t he shoul der and wei ghs no more t han 95pounds.

    2. No more t han t hr ee of t he above descr i bed pi gsshal l be kept at any one addr ess.

    d. Minimum setback requirements. The mi ni mum set back oft he pi g ext er i or habi t at shal l be 250 f eet f r om anyoccupi ed bui l di ng except t he dwel l i ng uni t of t he owner .e. Maximum number of pigs: Mor e t han 10 pi gs wi l lconst i t ut e a non- per sonal , commer ci al use and must meet al lzoni ng and ot her r egul at i ons.

    22- 157 Ot her l i vest ockOt her l i vest ock, such as cows, sheep, goat s, et c. kept f or

    personal , non- commerci al , pur poses may be permi t t ed pr ovi ded t hef ol l owi ng requi r ement s ar e met :

    a. Number of livestock: One l i vest ock per 1000 squaref eet of hi gh gr ound wi l l be per mi t t ed,b. Minimum parcel size. Li vest ock shal l not be kept onpar cel s l ess t han one hal f acre i n si ze.c. Minimum setback requirements. The mi ni mum set back oft he l i vest ock habi t at shal l be 100 f eet f r om any occupi edbui l di ng except t he dwel l i ng uni t of t he owner .d. Maximum number of other livestock: Mor e than 10 ot herl i vest ock wi l l const i t ut e a non- per sonal , commer ci al useand must meet al l zoni ng and other r egul at i ons.

    22- 158 Snakes and ot her l ar ge r ept i l esSnakes and ot her l ar ge r ept i l es shal l not be per mi t t ed at publ i cevent s, par ades, f est i val s. I ndi vi dual s or or gani zat i onspermi t t ed by the St at e Depar t ment of Nat ur al Resour ces ar e

    exempt ed f r om t hi s pr ovi si on.

    22- 159 Compl i anceUnl ess speci f i ed el sewher e, al l ani mal owner s are requi r ed t ocome i nt o compl i ance wi t h t hi s ar t i cl e of t he Ani mal Cont r olOr di nance wi t hi n 30 90 days of adopt i on.

  • 8/12/2019 Animal Control Ordinance - County 080312

    32/32

    APPROVED: This _______ day of August, 2012.

    CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA

    By:_____________________________

    Pete Liakakis, Chairman

    ATTEST:

    ______________________________

    Janice E. Bocook, County Clerk