§ 4-8-30 — Confiscation by dog control officer; payment of costs for recovery; euthanasia

(a) A dangerous dog or vicious dog shall be immediately confiscated by any dog control officer or by a law enforcement officer in the case of any violation of this article. A refusal to surrender a dog subject to confiscation shall be a violation of this article. (b) The owner of any dog that has been confiscated pursuant to this article may recover such dog upon payment of all reasonable confiscation and housing costs and proof of compliance with the provisions of this article, unless such confiscation is deemed to be in error by a dog control officer, an authority, as defined in Code Section 4-8-23 , or a probate court. All fines and all charges for services performed by a law enforcement or dog control officer shall be paid prior to owner recovery of the dog. Criminal prosecution shall not be stayed due to owner recovery or euthanasia of the dog. (c) In the event the owner has not complied with the provisions of this article within 14 days of the date the dog was confiscated, such dog shall be released to an animal shelter, as such term is defined in Code Section 4-14-2 , or euthanized in an expeditious and humane manner. The owner may be required to pay the costs of housing and euthanasia.

Legislative History

Amended by 2014 Ga. Laws 554,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2014. Added by 2012 Ga. Laws 765,§ 4, eff. 7/1/2012.