§ 14-42. A notice to owners of impounded animals.

(a)

Upon impounding any dog or other animal, the director or his authorized representative shall cause to be made a prompt and reasonable effort to locate the animal's owner and, upon location of same, shall send to said owner, by certified letter, notification of impoundment. If said animal is not claimed by the owner, within three days of the receipt of the certified letter giving notice of impoundment or if the letter is returned by the post office or within five days of impoundment the owner cannot be located, then it shall be the duty of the director or his authorized representative to dispose of the dog or other animal in a humane fashion.

(b)

For the first time a dog, cat or other animal is picked up and impounded by animal control, a fine of $100.00 shall be imposed against the owner of such animal.

(c)

A $250.00 fine will be imposed for the second offense against the same owner as to the same animal. Should animal control impound the animal for a third time or more, a $500.00 fine will be imposed against the same owner as to the same animal for each offense.

(d)

In addition to the above provisions, any animal picked up and impounded by the animal shelter will receive a rabies shot, the cost of which will be set by schedule.

(e)

If for any reason an animal is impounded and not claimed after proper notification imposed by this section, and if the owner is identified by a rabies or license tag on the animal or can be identified by witnesses, the owner will be considered in violation of this article for the offense of abandoning the animal, and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $500.00 and/or imprisonment and jail for a period not to exceed 60 days, or both.

(f)

In addition, if an animal is impounded and not claimed, the owner shall be conclusively presumed to have given his consent to the adoption of the impounded animal or to have given his consent to the disposal of the animal in a humane fashion in accordance with O.C.G.A. tit. 4.

(g)

If any animal is not claimed as provided within this article, the director, or his authorized representative, in his sole discretion, and after he has satisfied himself that such animal is in good health, may offer the animal for adoption. All animals offered for adoption will be spayed or neutered and will be given a rabies shot. The cost of such procedures shall be set by schedule, and will be paid as the adoption fee by the adopter of such animal.

(h)

In no event shall any animal be redeemed by its lawful possessor, owner or custodian unless those fees established for boarding the animal, as provided for in section 14-38, are paid.

(Ord. No. 0-26-90, 9-4-90; Ord. No. 0-27-92, 11-2-92; Ord. No. 0-34-95, § 5-16, 9-18-95)

State law reference

Livestock requirements, O.C.G.A. §§ 4-3-4—4-3-7.