Animal Control

GOALS IDENTIFIED BY THE

BOC
Proactive on certain dogs

Allow 3 year tag with mandatory

collection

Stop overbreeding of dogs and cats

Unless there is an IGA

County
Municipalitie
governs
s inside city
unincorporat
limits
ed area
What general law controls
No dumping dead dogs on anothers property or public
property

No abandoning dogs

Owners and custodians are responsible for damages

caused by dogs

No allowing dog in heat to roam

Dogs are protected!
No cruel acts

If must be put down, done humanely

May protect humans against attack

Dont take someone elses dog by removing tag or collar

ITS A CRIME! Cruelty, dog fighting, other malicious acts are

state crimes
Dangerous Dogs are defined:
Cause substantial harm or injury

Aggressively attacks in threatening

manner

Kills another pet

May be immediately impounded pending

hearing
Vicious Dogs are defined:

Inflict serious injury to a person

May be immediately impounded pending

hearing
Classified dogs (both)
Owner receives notice within 72 hours

Notice includes bad act; hearing date; appellate rights

Owner can request hearing

Hearing happens within 30 days

Within 10 days after hearing, written ruling

Judicial review with Probate Court is final decision

Classified dogs must have..
Non transferrable registration that is annually renewed

Enclosure designed to securely confine dog

Visible warning sides at abode

Microchip for ID

General liability insurance

No other classified dogs

Felons further restricted..
Serious violent felony

Prior dog fighting

Drug charges for 2 years after

sentence
Owners of classified dogs..

Cant transfer, sell or donate to private party

Cant move from one jurisdiction to another without

notice in 10 days

Must report dog lost or on loose

Animal services can

Immediately impound dog in violation

Make owner pay costs

Humanely euthanize dog if non compliant

for 14 days
That is all state law.

BOC decides:
New ordinance tougher in areas of
concern

State law is reactive and Chatham

County wants to be proactive
Changes to ordinance include
Removed everything outlined before this

Establish Animal Control Board

Invitation to municipalities to join

More stringent regulation of classified dogs

Stop indiscriminate breeding within the community

Specifics..
3 year registration and tag with fee

Menacing dogs found at large, must spay/neuter and microchip

before return

Superbreeder fee: Not AKC = graduate $250 fine and goes up!

Service Dogs defines; no faking it

Emotional Support dogs trained and proof provided

Discretion to prevent attacks

Staff recommends
2nd
reading/adopti
Public Forum on

1st reading