Dog Breed Regulations and Laws in Georgia

Many people view certain dog breeds as naturally more aggressive or vicious, typically due to a breed’s size or stereotypes about how people raise and use certain breeds. Although Georgia law does not expressly ban or restrict specific dog breeds, many municipalities in the state have ordinances imposing requirements on owning some breeds. Instead, state laws focus on determining whether a specific dog has dangerous or vicious propensities, which may affect liability should that dog injure someone. 

These laws may give a dog bite victim the right to seek compensation for their injuries and related losses.

What Is the Georgia Responsible Dog Owners Act?

Georgia’s Responsible Dog Owners Act, also called the Responsible Dog Ownership Law, makes it illegal to own a dog classified as dangerous or vicious without obtaining a registration certificate. Local dog control officers may issue certificates of registration to owners of dangerous dogs provided they:

• Maintain an enclosure to keep the dog on the owner’s property and prevent the dog from leaving the property
• Post visible warning signs at all entrances to the property where the dog resides
• Implant a subdermal identification microchip between the dog’s shoulder blades
• Obtain general or specific liability insurance of at least $50,000 covering the owner’s liability for property damage or injury caused by their dog

If you have questions about who is responsible for dog attacks, who can be held liable for dog bites, or about your dog bite injuries, contact our Athens dog bite lawyer today.

Does Georgia Have a Statewide Leash Law?

Georgia does not have a universal leash law. However, state law does require owners of dangerous or vicious dogs to keep their pets on a leash of six feet or less when taking the dog off the owner’s property. Furthermore, many counties and municipalities across Georgia have leash laws under local ordinances that require owners to keep their dogs on leashes while in public or visiting public parks, except when visiting designated dog parks where dogs may run off-leash.

What Is Georgia’s One-Bite Rule?

Georgia uses a modified version of the “one-bite rule,” a legal principle that states that the owner of a dog that unexpectedly bites or attacks someone should not bear liability for that person’s injuries. Under Georgia’s one-bite rule, an owner may bear liability for injuries inflicted by their dog if they knew of the dog’s dangerous or vicious tendencies. This knowledge may come from past bites or attacks inflicted by the dog or the owner’s registration of their dog as a “dangerous” or “vicious” dog under Georgia law.

The one-bite rule also holds dog owners liable for injuries their dogs cause others as a result of their negligent handling of their pets. “Negligent handling” includes failing to keep the dog on a leash in public and failing to maintain enclosures that prevent the dog from escaping the owner’s property.

What Is Defined as a Dangerous Dog in Georgia?

Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law defines a “dangerous dog” as a dog that:

• Causes a substantial puncture of a person’s skin by using its teeth without causing severe injury. However, a nip, scratch, or abrasion does not qualify as a substantial puncture that would designate a dog as “dangerous.”
• Aggressively attacks in a manner that causes someone to reasonably believe the dog poses an imminent threat of severe injury to themselves or others, even if no injury occurs. Barking, growling, or showing teeth does not constitute an “aggressive attack.”
• Kills another pet animal while off the owner’s property, although this does not apply to hunting, herding, or predator control dogs.

The law further defines a “vicious dog” as a dog that inflicts severe injury on a person or causes a person to suffer severe injury from reasonable attempts to escape the dog’s attack.

Are There Certain Dog Breeds That Are Outlawed in Georgia?

In terms of dog breed regulations and laws in Georgia, state law does not outlaw specific dog breeds statewide. However, local ordinances in many Georgia municipalities impose specific restrictions or requirements on residents who own certain dog breeds. For example, cities may:

• Ban certain dog breeds from dog parks or public parks
• Require owners to notify local animal control officers of their possession of certain breeds
• Maintain secure enclosures for those dogs
• Require certificates of registration for specific dog breeds

Breeds commonly subject to local ordinances include pit bulls, rottweilers, Dobermans, and German shepherds.

How Do You Prove the Dog’s Owner Was Negligent?

If you were bitten by a dog whose owner was negligent in their handling of the animal, you can hold the owner liable for the harm you suffered as a result. The following are some examples of circumstances under which the owner could be liable for your injuries:

• The owner knew of their dog’s dangerous or vicious propensity, including the owner’s possession of a certificate of registration for their dangerous/vicious dog.
• The owner knew of the dog’s prior attacks on other people or animals.
• The owner failed to maintain the dog’s enclosure on the owner’s property, allowing the dog to escape and roam freely.
• The owner did not keep a dangerous or vicious dog in a crate or on a leash when transporting it off the owner’s property.
• The owner failed to keep the dog on a leash in public, especially where required by local ordinance.
• The owner failed to muzzle a vicious dog in public.

An experienced dog bite attorney can investigate your claim to recover evidence needed to prove a dog owner’s negligence, such as:

• Municipal dog control officer records
• Photos/videos of the owner’s property or the dog’s enclosure
• Eyewitness testimony

Our Athens personal injury lawyer is here to assist you.

Contact a Georgia Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

Are you dealing with the painful aftermath of a dog attack in Georgia? If so, you could be entitled to financial compensation for what you’ve suffered, and R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, can help you demand it — all at no upfront cost to you.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Georgia dog bite attorney. Discover your options for securing financial recovery for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.