Union County, Georgia

Sec. 14-4. – Duties of animal owners and citizens.

(h) Except as provided in the following section, every owner of an unsterilized dog, cat or ferret, is hereby required to confine the animal at all times. Confinement shall include keeping the animal within a fence, a proper enclosure, a house, other enclosure or structure that affords the animal humane care and in all cases prevents access to other animals not kept in the same enclosure. The use of electronic fences, tethers, runs and chains are not acceptable to confine an animal inasmuch as such methods allow access by other animals. Any time an unsterilized animal is not confined, the animal must be on a secure and sturdy leash while being walked by a responsible person. Any unsterilized animal that is unconfined or not on a leash shall be subject to citation, confiscation and impoundment, and, in addition to being subject to citation, the owner shall be required to have the animal sterilized within 30 days. The burden shall be on the owner of a sterilized animal to have proof available that the animal is sterilized.

(i) Unsterilized working animals (including show dogs) are exempt from the above confinement requirements while working, but their owners are required to keep such animals under control. The burden shall be on the owners to prove the animal was working at the time of the citation. Owners who negligently allow working animals to roam and run free at any time shall be subject to citation and sterilization under this section and under any other applicable section of this chapter.

Sec. 14-8. – Impoundment, rescue, surrender.

(f) Any owner claiming an animal that has been impounded shall be charged a one-time impound fee plus a daily boarding fee, including any part of a day, for the period of impoundment, plus a rabies inoculation fee and any other fees, including those charged by outside contractors, if applicable, and reimbursement for any, vet, medical expenses, and any other costs which shall be the sole responsibility of the owner prior to the animal being released. In the event an animal is required to be quarantined during impoundment, an additional daily fee will be charged. An owner shall receive a one-time credit if proof is furnished of a current rabies vaccination, and a further credit if proof is furnished that the animal has been sterilized prior to impoundment.