Macon-Bibb County, Georgia

Sec. 5-10. – Licensing; rabies inoculation; tag; fees.

(a) License required. Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of a dog or cat six (6) months old or older within the territorial limits of Macon-Bibb County for more than 120 days in a 12-month period is required to obtain a registration license tag for such animal by registering it with the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department.

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(d) Fees.

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(3) The animal welfare department may budget a portion of the fees received, up to fifty (50) percent of the total, to fund participation in a low cost spay/neuter program to be provided for by department regulations.

ARTICLE IV. – SPAY/NEUTER AND REGISTRATION OF DOGS AND CATS

Sec. 5-40. – Findings, purpose, and intent.

(a) The Macon-Bibb County Commission finds that unintended or uncontrolled breeding of dogs and cats within Macon-Bibb County leads to the birth of unwanted puppies, kittens, dogs, and cats that become strays, suffer privation and hunger, and that may constitute public hazards, and are impounded and euthanized at great expense to the community and constituting a public nuisance and a public health hazard. Without action aimed at the cause of the problem this problem and its serious consequences, including the cycle of impoundment and euthanasia of unwanted animals will remain unabated and will be compounded with time. It is declared that every feasible means of reducing the number of unwanted dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens be encouraged.

(b) The commission finds that one of the most effective, economical, humane, and ethical solution to the problem of dog and cat overpopulation is to substantially reduce, if not eliminate, unintended breeding and by such reduction or elimination seeks to promote the public health, safety, welfare, and environmental interests of its citizens.

Sec. 5-42. – Sterilization requirement.

No person may own, keep, harbor, or have custody of a dog or cat six months of age or older within the Macon-Bibb County that has not been spayed or neutered unless such person holds an unaltered animal permit for each unaltered dog or cat, or unless the dog or cat is otherwise exempt under this article.

Sec. 5-43. – Exemptions.

The following persons shall not be required to obtain an unaltered animal permit:

(1) An individual who is a non-resident of Macon-Bibb County and resides temporarily therein for a period not to exceed 120 days within a 12-month period;

(2) Lawful humane societies/animal shelters, whether public or private, licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture whose principal purpose is securing the adoption of dogs or cats or offering sanctuary for dogs or cats and which certify in writing to the animal welfare department that they does not engage in the breeding of dogs or cats. Such organizations must comply with the mandatory sterilization requirements applicable to animal shelters and rescue organizations pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 4-14-1 et seq., the Georgia Animal Protection Act, O.C.G.A. § 4-11-1 et seq., and other applicable laws and regulations of the Georgia Department of Agriculture;

(3) Veterinary hospitals; and

(4) Person who provide nourishment and care for feral cat colonies that are registered and in compliance with Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department requirements. A person who registers a feral cat colony shall not have to obtain an unaltered license tag for any cat in the colony provided such cats remain feral and the colony registration is renewed annually. Every cat in a feral cat colony must be spayed or neutered.

Sec. 5-44. – Unaltered animal permit and licensing requirements.

(a) The owner of an unaltered dog or cat six (6) months of age or older must apply to the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department for an unaltered animal permit and license tag. The Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department will issue an unaltered animal permit if the owner complies with the requirements set forth in this article and pays the permit fee. A certificate will be issued identifying the animal as a permitted unaltered animal and must be made available for inspection at all times.

(b)       (1) An annual unaltered animal permit and license tag is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance.

(2) A lifetime unaltered animal permit and license tag is valid for the life of the animal identified in the unaltered animal permit.

(c) An unaltered animal license tag will be provided to the owner with every unaltered animal permit. The owner of the unaltered animal is required to see that the unaltered animal license tag is valid and is securely fastened to the animal’s collar or harness at all times. The unaltered animal license tag shall indicate whether the unaltered animal permit is an annual permit or a lifetime permit.

(d) The cost of an annual unaltered animal permit and license tag shall be $10.00.

(e) The lifetime fee for a lifetime unaltered animal permit and license tag shall be $100.00.

(f) Owners who apply for an unaltered animal permit must provide proof of identification micro-chipping of the animal prior to issuance of the permit and license tag.

(g) Unaltered animal permits may be obtained for the following animals:

(1) Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actually being used by public law enforcement agencies, or such dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the director of the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;

(2) Dogs having been appropriately trained and actually being used as a service dog, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, assistance dog, seizure alert dog, social/therapy dog, or such dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the director of the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;

(3) Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actually being used by search and rescue agencies for search and rescue activities, or such dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the director of the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;

(4) Dogs or cats certified by a licensed veterinarian as having a health reason for not being spayed/neutered;

(5) Dogs which are appropriately trained and actually being used for herding of other animals, or as livestock guardian dogs, hunting dogs, or such dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the director of the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;

(6) Dogs or cats boarded in a licensed kennel or a business which boards such animals for professional training or resale; and

(7) Dogs or cats which are registered with the American Kennel Club, the Cat Fancier Association or other recognized registry or trained and kept for the purpose of show, field trials or agility trials.

(h) A dog or cat for which an unaltered animal permit and license tag has been issued under this section shall not be used for breeding or stud purposes unless an appropriate permit is first obtained from the animal welfare department.

Sec. 5-45. – Deadline for compliance.

A dog or cat governed by this article shall be spayed or neutered by its owner or, if eligible, the owner shall obtain an unaltered animal permit within thirty (30) days of the dog or cat becoming six months of age or by July, 1, 2014, whichever is the later in time, or, in the case of the owner who has acquired a dog or cat after it becomes six months of age, within thirty (30) days of acquisition.

Sec. 5-46. – Change in address/ownership.

The address of the owner shall be presumed to be the residence of the dog or cat. All changes of address must be reported to the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department in writing within thirty (30) calendar days following such change. A permit holder shall notify the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department in writing of any change of ownership of a dog or cat within thirty (30) calendar days following such change. If an owner does wish to sell an animal, the unaltered animal permit must be displayed.

Sec. 5-47. – Enforcement.

The Macon-Bibb County animal welfare department is charged with the enforcement of this chapter. Animal control officers (ACOs) are the agents of the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department which are generally charged with compliance activities. ACOs shall issue citations under this chapter. The director of the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department is authorized to suspend enforcement of section 5-42 upon a written finding that there are not adequate low or no-cost spay and neuter services available in Macon-Bibb County.

Sec. 5-48. – Revocation.

(a) Upon receipt of information of violation of this section, the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department may issue a notice of revocation to a permit holder. The notice of revocation shall provide a summary of the violation and shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, by hand delivery by the sheriff or animal control officer, or upon posting of the property at the address listed in the permit application. The permit holder shall be entitled to a hearing. Any request for hearing shall be filed by the permit holder with the Macon-Bibb County animal welfare department within ten (10) days after the permit holders’ receipt of said notice. The permit holder shall set forth the reasons why the permit holder believes the revocation would be an error. Failure to timely request a hearing shall render the revocation final. All hearings shall be conducted by the hearing officer within thirty (30) days after the receipt of a request for hearing. The original of the hearing officers’ written decision shall be filed with the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department, and copies shall be mailed to the Macon-Bibb County attorney and the permit holder.

(b) It shall also be a violation of this article to counterfeit an unaltered animal permit or license tag, to maliciously destroy a permit or tag, or to fraudulently obtain an unaltered animal permit or license tag.

(c) An unaltered animal permit issued pursuant to this article is a privilege and not a right.

Sec. 5-49. – Breeding permits.

(a) No person shall breed a dog or cat or offer a dog or cat for breeding or stud purposes without first obtaining an appropriate breeding permit issued by the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare Department or from the Georgia Department of Agriculture if such person is required to be licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The cost of the permit and other related fees shall be established by the director of animal welfare by regulation.

(b) No person shall sell or offer for sale any dog, cat, puppy, or kitten in a public place in Macon-Bibb County; provided, however, that this prohibition shall not apply to “adoption fairs” conducted by the animal welfare department or by a licensed animal rescue organization or animal shelter.

Sec. 5-50. – Penalties.

Any person who is issued a citation for violating this article for the first time shall be provided with a list of no cost and low cost spay and neuter services. If a first time violator can demonstrate compliance with this Article within 60 days of the date the citation is issued, the citation shall be dismissed. All subsequent violations shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00.