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GA HB1280
Bill
Status
Introduced
3/9/2010
Primary Sponsor
Eugene Maddox
Click for details
AI Summary
- Replaces the former "potentially dangerous dog" classification with a two-tier system of "dangerous dog" (menacing behavior, non-severe bites, killing domestic animals) and "vicious dog" (causing death or severe injury to humans, attacking multiple people, or repeat offenses), with expanded definitions for each category
- Requires owners of dangerous or vicious dogs to obtain a certificate of registration by maintaining a proper enclosure, posting warning signs, microchipping the dog, carrying liability insurance or a surety bond of $100,000 for dangerous dogs or $300,000 for vicious dogs, and limits ownership to one dangerous or vicious dog per person and per domicile
- Imposes stricter enclosure requirements including six-foot fences of 11-gauge or heavier wire, locked gates, concrete or underground fence bottoms, and prohibits invisible fences, tethering, or screen-only barriers; vicious dogs must also be sterilized and cannot be transferred, sold, or donated
- Increases criminal penalties so that violations involving dangerous or vicious dogs constitute a misdemeanor of high and aggravated nature with minimum fines of $1,000 for second offenses and $5,000 for third offenses, and elevates to a felony (1–10 years imprisonment, fines up to $10,000) when noncompliance results in severe injury or death
- Prohibits training dogs to attack humans in residentially zoned areas unless expressly permitted by local zoning, authorizes courts to order euthanasia of dogs deemed an uncontrollable danger, and requires owners to notify dog control officers within one hour if a dangerous or vicious dog escapes or attacks a human, with an effective date of July 1, 2010
Legislative Description
Animals; dangerous and vicious dogs; revise provisions
Last Action
House Second Readers
3/10/2010
Committee Referrals
Judiciary3/9/2010
Full Bill Text
No bill text available