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GA HB717

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/11/2012

Primary Sponsor

Amy Carter

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2011-2012 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Amends Georgia Code Section 4-8-43 to increase criminal penalties for vicious dog owners who fail to comply with containment and control requirements when that failure results in a vicious dog attacking a human and causing severe injury or death
  • Upgrades the offense from a misdemeanor of high and aggravated nature to a felony, punishable by 1–3 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $20,000
  • Removes the prior requirement that the owner must have a previous conviction under the vicious dog article before felony-level charges can apply; any owner's noncompliance resulting in severe injury or death now qualifies
  • Retains existing misdemeanor penalties for other violations: a minimum $300 fine for a second conviction and a minimum $500 fine for a third or subsequent conviction
  • Effective date of July 1, 2012, applying to offenses committed on or after that date

Legislative Description

Dogs; criminal penalties for certain owners failing to secure; provide

Last Action

House Reconsidered

3/7/2012

Committee Referrals

Judiciary - Non-Civil1/11/2012

Full Bill Text

No bill text available