Potentially Dangerous Dog Law

[hlundy]

State of Georgia.
15 months ago our dog bit a person while attempting to bite another dog. It was his first AND ONLY offense. He was categorized as a "potentially dangerous dog" in our county. Since that time we have continued to take him out in public, walk him in the neighborhood, and incorporate him into our family as usual with absolutely no problems. Last week an officer from the county animal control informed us that we were no longer allowed to take our dog off of our property for walks due to a "new law." We were also informed that ANY TIME we have him outside EVEN ON OUR OWN PROPERTY (e.g., taking him to the bathroom) me MUST be muzzled. I have reviewed the Georgia laws and I do not find anything in them to support what we were told by that officer. However, prior to pursuing this I'd like to ensure that the most recent laws pertaining to potentially dangerous dogs in Georgia do not restrict us from continuing to take him for walks in the neighborhood and muzzling him when he is leashed and on our own property. Any insight is greatly appreciated. What is the name of your state? Georgia

 

[HighwayMan]

So why don't you call animal control and find out what this new law is?

 

[hlundy]

I asked for a copy of the laws when the officer visited our home and he told me I would have to look them up myself. I contacted director of the local animal shelter via email (I want documentation of all correspondence in writing) and I was directed to the county website to obtain the current local ordinances. I contacted the director again asking where I could find a copy of the current dog laws in Georgia and I was told to "google" them. I have "googled" them but I do not see anything to validate their claims that we are no longer allowed to take our dog off our property under any circumstances. However, I am not an expert on legal issues so I thought I'd ask those who know more than I do in this field. Again, any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[CSO286]

State of Georgia.
15 months ago our dog bit a person while attempting to bite another dog. It was his first AND ONLY offense. He was categorized as a "potentially dangerous dog" in our county. Since that time we have continued to take him out in public, walk him in the neighborhood, and incorporate him into our family as usual with absolutely no problems. Last week an officer from the county animal control informed us that we were no longer allowed to take our dog off of our property for walks due to a "new law." We were also informed that ANY TIME we have him outside EVEN ON OUR OWN PROPERTY (e.g., taking him to the bathroom) me MUST be muzzled. I have reviewed the Georgia laws and I do not find anything in them to support what we were told by that officer. However, prior to pursuing this I'd like to ensure that the most recent laws pertaining to potentially dangerous dogs in Georgia do not restrict us from continuing to take him for walks in the neighborhood and muzzling him when he is leashed and on our own property. Any insight is greatly appreciated. What is the name of your state? Georgia

I found this in my first search.
http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusgast4_8_21.htm#s26]Georgia Consolidated Dog Laws/Dangerous Dog

§ 4-8-26. Muzzles and restraints

(a) It is unlawful for an owner of a dangerous dog to permit the dog to be outside a proper enclosure unless the dog is muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash and is under the physical restraint of a responsible person. The muzzle shall be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration but will prevent it from biting any person.

(b) It is unlawful for the owner of a potentially dangerous dog to permit the dog to be outside a proper enclosure unless the dog is restrained by a substantial chain or leash and is under the restraint of a responsible person.

Laws 1988, p. 824, § 2.

And my second search yielded: http://dogbitelaw.com/mixed-dog-bite-statute-states/georgia.html#Georgia]Georgia dangerous dog law

 

[xylene]

I asked for a copy of the laws when the officer visited our home and he told me I would have to look them up myself.

Why didn't you tell him to scoop poop at that point and start walking you dog.

 

[Just Blue]

State of Georgia.
15 months ago our dog bit a person while attempting to bite another dog. It was his first AND ONLY offense. He was categorized as a "potentially dangerous dog" in our county. Since that time we have continued to take him out in public, walk him in the neighborhood, and incorporate him into our family as usual with absolutely no problems. Last week an officer from the county animal control informed us that we were no longer allowed to take our dog off of our property for walks due to a "new law." We were also informed that ANY TIME we have him outside EVEN ON OUR OWN PROPERTY (e.g., taking him to the bathroom) me MUST be muzzled. I have reviewed the Georgia laws and I do not find anything in them to support what we were told by that officer. However, prior to pursuing this I'd like to ensure that the most recent laws pertaining to potentially dangerous dogs in Georgia do not restrict us from continuing to take him for walks in the neighborhood and muzzling him when he is leashed and on our own property. Any insight is greatly appreciated. What is the name of your state? Georgia

You have an aggressive animal. PER YOUR POSTING. Is it harmful to your dog to place a soft muzzle on it outside your home?

 

[hlundy]

He attempted to bite the other dog after being challenged by it. I am not condoning that behavior as I completely agree he should have ignored the dog. For four years he has been socialized weekly at a business in our area that offers daycare to dogs. When there he is placed in a large open area with other dogs and various staff members. Before he was allowed to attend the daycare he had to pass a temperment test and he has never had any problem there. In addition to all of that socialization he has graduated from three different obedience classes and is well behaved. We live on 2 1/2 wooded acres. He is leashed when we take him out to the bathroom and therefore I do not see any reason to have to muzzle him when he is leashed with us on our property.

 

[hlundy]

Thank you CSO286. Those are the exact laws I was able to find and therefore I feel confident that we can take him off our property.

I love your comment xylene. Too bad we didn't think of that at the time. Next time maybe.