Pet Owners Beware: Fluffy and Fido Can
Land You on the Wrong Side of the Law!
By Hon. Lillian Nash Caudle
Magistrate Court of Fulton County
[email protected]
Many are surprised to learn that
Fulton County Magistrate Court
hears hundreds of animal control
trials each month. While some
playfully refer to the busy calendars
as “doggy court,” animal control is
nothing to bark at. Animal control
officers respond to calls about
dog bites, injured or abandoned
animals, cruelty to animals, dog or
cock fighting, and loose animals.
If the officer finds a violation of a
county ordinance, the officer will
issue a citation to the accused with
notice of a court date. Unwary pet
owners can face fines, animal sur-
render, restitution, and even jail
time if they (or their pet) violate
animal control ordinances. This
article explains how to keep your
furry friend out of trouble and what
to expect if Fluffy or Fido land you
on the wrong side of the law.
Vaccinate and License Your Pet.
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April/May 2019
All pet owners should consult their
veterinarian to ensure that their
pet is current on all vaccinations
and that the appropriate licensing
paperwork (and fees) have been
transmitted to the proper county
or municipal jurisdiction. Failure
to comply with vaccination and li-
censing ordinances can result in a
citation from animal control. If you
receive such a citation, get your pet
vaccinated and licensed ASAP and
bring proof that you have done so
to court. Many animal control of-
ficers will dismiss first-time offender
vaccine and license citations if they
can confirm the animal has been
brought into compliance before the
court date.
Lawfully Confine and Leash Your
Pet.
Generally, no dog is allowed to ven-
ture off its owner’s property unless
it is securely leashed. Dog own-
ers are expected to have a fence,
wall, or other enclosure (such as
electronic “invisible fencing”) that
is effective at keeping the dog(s)
on the owner’s property. Notably,
Fulton County’s ordinance explicitly
disallows leaving a dog unattended
on a tether. If your dog is a regular
escape artist, an animal control
officer may cite you for having a
public nuisance animal.
Provide Adequate Shelter and
Nourishment.
Animal control ordinances com-
monly require owners to provide
“adequate” shelter, food and wa-
ter, so be sure to check your local
ordinance for specifics at https://
library.municode.com/ga. In Ful-
ton County , an adequate shelter
“will prevent pain, suffering, or
significant risk to the animal’s