Chapters:
6.02 General
Provisions and Definitions
6.04 Rabies
Control
6.06 Dogs
and Cats
6.08 Dangerous
or Vicious Animals
6.10 Livestock
and Fowl
6.12 Wild
Animals
6.14 Adoption
of Animals
Sections:
6.02.010 Administration and definitions.
6.02.020 Enforcement and violations.
6.02.030 Humane treatment of animals.
A. The responsibility for the control of animals within the city shall rest with the Newton County senior animal control officer.
B. The responsibility for the control of rabies and other zoonos within the city shall rest with the Newton County board of health.
C. For the purpose of this title, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them, unless clearly indicated to the contrary by the context.
“Adequate food” means the provision at suitable intervals, not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours, of a quantity of wholesome foodstuff suitable for the species and age, sufficient to maintain a reasonable level of nutrition in each animal. Such foodstuff shall be served in a receptacle, dish, or container that is physically clean and in which agents injurious to health have been removed or destroyed to a practical minimum.
“Adequate shelter” means any animal restrained outdoors shall be provided with access to adequate shelter to remain dry during rain or snow and protect it from wind, and excessive heat or cold. Shelter size shall be large enough to allow the animal to stand up fully without touching the walls or ceiling and of sufficient width and depth to allow the animal to freely turn around. Sufficient and clean bedding material or other reasonable means of protection from the weather elements shall be provided. If an animal is tethered, the tether length shall be three times the length of the animal from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. If the animal has no tail or a cropped tail, two feet must be added to the tether length. When sunlight is likely to cause overheating or suffering, sufficient shade must be provided to allow protection from the direct effects of the sun. The animal’s containment area shall be free of accumulated waste and debris so that the animal shall be free to walk or lie down without coming in contact with any waste or debris, and a suitable method of draining shall be provided to eliminate excess water or moisture.
“Adequate water” means a constant access to supply of clean, fresh water provided in a sanitary manner.
Animal. The term “animal” is defined as any live vertebrate creature, domestic or wild.
Animal Control. The term “animal control” shall not be understood to be limited in practice, or interpretation, to the extermination of unwanted or deserted animals in the city. In practice it imposes an obligation upon the administrators to also develop and implement an aggressive program promoting responsible pet ownership within the city. The program as developed by the Newton County animal control department includes but is not limited to:
1. The development of an educational program on the need for responsible treatment, ownership, and the need for spaying and neutering of dogs and cats to prevent undesirable and unwanted litters;
2. An active, concerted, and responsible adoption program in conjunction with the Newton Humane Society, which might also include an adoption contract between the parties. Pet owners in the city are advised that the animal control center is not intended to be a dumping ground and extermination center to serve irresponsible pet owners at the expense of taxpayers.
“Animal control attendant” means an individual employed either full or part-time by the Newton County department of animal control whose duty is to provide humane care for the animals housed in the animal control center.
“Animal control center” means a structure or physical plant, which is constructed or renovated specifically to be the center of Newton County’s animal control activities. The center contains facilities for housing animals in a humane manner, administrative areas for animal control personnel, a clinic and euthanasia room, a cold storage area for animal cadavers, an adoption area, facilities for humane education programs, and other facilities as determined by the director.
“Animal control officer (ACO)” means an individual employed either full or part-time by the Newton County department of animal control whose duty is to enforce the Newton County’s animal control ordinance throughout Newton County, including the area within the corporate limits of the city. The ACO shall have the authority to issue citations, be familiar with local and state animal laws, and be sensitive to the needs of animals.
1. “Senior animal control officer” means a full-time employee of the Newton County department of animal control whose duty is to supervise and evaluate animal control officers assigned to field duty in addition to normal animal control officer duties.
“Animal welfare agency” means independent humane agency such as SPCA, Animal Welfare League and Humane Societies. The Humane Society of Newton County is a state approved, incorporated animal welfare agency whose goals include assisting the Newton County department of animal control on a voluntary basis.
“Cat” means a domestic feline of either sex, vaccinated or not vaccinated against rabies, registered or not registered in Newton County, Georgia.
“Director” means a full-time animal control officer of the Newton County department of animal control whose duty is to administer and manage the Newton County’s animal control program.
“Dog” means a domestic canine of either sex, vaccinated or not vaccinated against rabies, registered or not registered in Newton County, Georgia.
“Neuter” means the surgical sterilization of an animal.
“Owner” means any person having a right of property in an animal, or any person who permits an animal to remain on such person’s premises.
“Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, municipality, county, society, or association.
“Rabies certificate” means a certificate of vaccination against rabies on a form furnished or approved by the Georgia Department of Human Resources.
“Running at large” means the going upon public or private property by an animal without the owner or person in charge thereof having control over such animal, including an animal which may be staked, tied or hobbled in any manner so as to allow such animal to go upon the public streets or sidewalks.
“Under control” means any animal controlled by leash when off the property of the owner, or within the property limits of its owner (or of another with the permission of the person in control of the property) or confined by fence or other enclosure or restraint (electronic or physical), or accompanied by its owner.
“Vaccinate or inoculate” means the injection of a specified dose of antirabic vaccine by a veterinarian or properly supervised animal health technician into the proper site of an animal.
“Vaccination tag” means a tag furnished or approved by the Georgia Department of Human Resources and the Newton County department of animal control. Such tag shall certify the year, county, and vaccination number and shall be worn at all times by the vaccinated animal.
“Vaccine” means an injectable material containing killed or attenuated rabies virus, licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Biologies Division and approved by the Georgia Department of Human Resources.
“Veterinarian” means a person duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Georgia.
“Veterinary hospital or clinic” means a place where medical and surgical treatment is administered to animals by or under the supervision of a veterinarian.
“Vicious animal” means an animal which constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals by virtue of one or more attacks of such severity as to cause personal injury or property damage, or if such animal makes unprovoked attacks on other animals. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
A. The director, the animal control supervisor and officers, and other authorized employees of Newton County shall have all of the powers and authority of police officers to the extent only and no further of enforcing this chapter and other ordinances of the city relating to animals and fowl.
B. All duly appointed and qualified law enforcement officers and animal control officers are authorized to issue written notices to persons violating the provisions of this title or any other laws governing the regulation and/or disposition of animals, which notices shall, among other things, describe the violation complained of. Any person violating this code, obstructing qualified animal control personnel and/or their equipment or violating any other laws governing the regulation of animals within the city shall be subject to a fine not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) and/or sixty (60) days imprisonment. Imprisonment and/or fine may be substituted with mandatory neutering of the animal by a veterinarian at the expense of the owner, except in circumstances where Georgia law provides for harsher penalties. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
No person having an animal in his possession and/or control shall fail to provide said animal adequate food, water, or shelter and adequate protection from the elements. Veterinary care, when needed, to prevent suffering to said animal, shall be provided and, further, said animal shall be treated with humane care at all times.
A. No person shall beat, ill treat, torment, overload, overwork, or otherwise abuse an animal, or cause, instigate, or permit combat between animals or fowl.
B. No person shall expose any known poisonous substance, whether mixed with food or not, so that the same is likely to be eaten by an animal. It shall not be unlawful for a person to expose common rat or insect poisons on such person’s property.
C. No person shall use steel-jawed leghold traps for the trapping of animals without a required written permit obtained from the appropriate state or federal government agency.
D. All persons within the corporate limits of the city shall be deemed to have consented to reasonable means or force necessary to cause removal of animals left unattended in a closed vehicle. A vehicle is considered closed regardless of whether or not such vehicle’s windows are open. No action at law or equity or claim for damages shall lie against the city or its officers in connection with lawful enforcement of this section.
E. A leash must restrain any animal that is kept in the back of an open truck or a convertible car. Such a leash must be of the size and length to restrict the animal within the confines of the car or bed of the truck and to prohibit the animal from jumping out over the side or back of such vehicles.
F. Any animal mistreated in violation of the provisions of this chapter may be impounded immediately and examined and/or treated by a veterinarian as may be appropriate in such veterinarian’s professional judgment. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Sections:
6.04.010 Rabies vaccination.
6.04.020 Rabid animals.
All dogs or cats in the city over three months of age shall be inoculated annually for rabies with an approved vaccine. All dogs and cats which are brought into the city and which are more than three months of age and which have not been inoculated shall be inoculated within thirty (30) days after their arrival in the city. Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or maintaining a dog or cat in the city who fails or refuses to comply with the vaccination requirements of this section shall be deemed guilty of an offense. A certificate of a veterinarian certifying that the vaccine was administered as required by this section, bearing the date and type of vaccine and the identification of the dog or cat by breed, color, and sex, the vaccination or tag number and the name and address of the owner, shall be evidence of such vaccination. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Except as provided in subsection A below, every animal that has rabies or symptoms thereof, every animal that has been exposed to rabies, and every animal that bites or otherwise attacks any person within the city shall be impounded at once and held under observation by the Newton County department of animal control for ten (10) consecutive calendar days. If its owner desires, such animal may be confined at the owner’s expense for observation in a veterinary hospital or clinic approved by the director for the same period of time.
A. Any dog or cat that bites or otherwise attacks a person within the city while the animal is confined on the owner’s premises may be quarantined on the owner’s premises for a period often (10) consecutive calendar days immediately following the date of such attack if the animal has a current rabies vaccination at the time the attack occurred, provided that the animal is observed by an ACO at the beginning of the quarantine period, and again ten (10) days later. Said animal shall also be examined by a veterinarian at the end of the quarantine period. The veterinarian shall provide the owner with a written report setting out the results of such examination. The report shall be submitted by the owner to the director within three days after the examination has been made. Any owner or keeper of an animal that fails to keep the animal confined, fails to have the animal examined by a veterinarian, or fails to provide the animal control department a veterinarian’s report of the results of an examination when required to do so under the provisions of this section shall be in violation of this code and subject to fines and penalties as provided in Section 6.02.020.
B. No animal that has rabies shall be allowed at any time on the streets or public ways of the city. No animal that has been suspected of having rabies shall be allowed at any time on the streets or public ways of the city until such animal has been released from observation by the director or the director’s designee. The owner, keeper or person in charge of any animal that has rabies or symptoms thereof, or that has been exposed to rabies, or that has bitten or otherwise attacked any person within the city shall, on demand, turn such animal over to the director or the director’s designee. The body of any animal that has died of rabies shall not be disposed of except as directed by the director. Any person having knowledge of an animal bite is hereby required to report it immediately to the Newton County department of animal control. Failure to make such report shall be violation of this section and subject to fines and penalties as provided in Section 6.02.020. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Sections:
6.06.010 Dogs and cats running at large.
6.06.020 Impoundment of dogs and cats.
6.06.030 Redemption after impoundment.
6.06.040 Adoption of an impounded animal.
6.06.050 Redemption of an adopted animal.
6.06.060 Disposition pursuant to court order.
6.06.070 Surrender of dogs or eats.
A. It shall be the duty of every owner of any dog or cat or anyone having a dog or cat in his possession or custody, to ensure that it is under control, so that it cannot wander off of the real property limits of the owner, possessor or custodian, it being the intent of this chapter that all dogs and cats shall be prevented from leaving, while unattended, the real property limits of their owner, possessor or custodian. It is further the intent of this chapter that, unless the Newton County animal control department has a signed running at large complaint on file regarding a specific dog or cat, no dog or cat be impounded and no citations be issued under this section unless the dog or cat is observed off the real property limits of the owner, possessor or custodian, either by a witness who signs a complaint or by the animal control officer.
B. Hunting dogs and farm/cattle dogs shall be deemed under control while on land with the consent of the owner thereof and engaged in normal hunting or farming activity for the particular type of dog involved.
C. All female dogs and cats that have not been neutered and are in heat, must be securely confined in such a way that they not only cannot run loose, but also cannot be reached by other dogs or cats. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Where the director or any animal control staff member either observes or receives a proper citizen complaint of a dog or cat running at large, it shall be the duty of said director, supervisor or officer(s) to capture and take charge of any such animal found to be running at large, as defined in Section 6.02.010 of this title, within the boundaries of the city, and take such animal to the animal control center or other designated place, there to be impounded and detained for a period of three calendar working days. Cat traps will be made available free of charge to citizens of the city with nuisance cat complaints. If a dog or cat which has been delivered or admitted to the animal control center is wearing a vaccination tag not more than two years old or any other type of identification, the director, supervisor or designee shall notify the owner of such animal by telephone, door hanger, or by mail that the animal has been received by the animal control center. The mailing of notice shall be deemed sufficient notice under this section if it is mailed to the owner at his last known address. Dogs and cats wearing a vaccination tag not more than two years old shall be held in designated pens for the owner for six calendar working days from the date the owner was notified as provided herein. On the seventh day following such notice, the animal may be placed for adoption or euthanized at the discretion of the director or his designated representative. Dogs or cats three months of age or older, can be subject to impoundment if said animal does not display a current vaccination. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Any animal impounded as provided in Section 6.06.020 of this chapter may be redeemed by its rightful owner at the animal control center, after said owner proves ownership to the satisfaction of the director. The person entitled to redeem said animal shall be entitled to have the animal delivered to him at the animal control center upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of ownership (regulations paper, bill-of-sale, photographs, registration and/or vaccination certificates, etc.), and payment of the following charges and/or fees if applicable, provided such animal is not infected or reasonably believed to be infected with rabies or any other infections or contagious diseases:
A. Impoundment Fee. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, an impoundment fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be charged for each animal impounded. The impoundment fee shall double for each successive impoundment of any animal belonging to the same household.
B. Rabies Vaccination Fee. Payment for a current rabies vaccination not to exceed twelve dollars ($12.00) provided the dog or cat has no valid vaccination. The owner will be issued a receipt which authorizes a participating veterinarian to inoculate the animal. The veterinarian will submit the receipt to the animal control department indicating that the vaccine was administered and the number of the vaccination tag issued. The animal control department will send the veterinarian a sum not to exceed twelve dollars ($12.00) per animal vaccinated.
C. Boarding Fee. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, a boarding fee, not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) per day, shall be charged for each animal impounded. However, when a person seeks delivery of an animal on the first regular working day after a Sunday and/or a national holiday, no boarding fee shall be charged for the immediately preceding Sunday and/or holiday unless such Sunday and/or holiday was within the period of quarantine for rabies observation.
D. Fees for Veterinary Services. Impounded or sick animals will be treated for injury or illness when such treatment is found to be reasonably necessary in the judgment of the director or supervisor. The owner shall be required to pay the actual cost of any necessary veterinary services. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
It will be the duty of the director to offer for adoption to the public, or transfer to rescue agencies licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, after verification, any and all healthy animals impounded in accordance with this chapter and not redeemed as provided in Section 6.06.030 of this chapter. No animal determined to be dangerous shall be offered for adoption. It is unlawful to remove any animal from the animal control center except as provided for in this title. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Any person entitled to redeem an adopted animal shall exercise such option within a period of thirty (30) days from the date the animal was adopted, and will be required to reimburse the adopter double the adoption fee, five dollars per day for the days the animal was held and cared for by the adopter and any verified expense incurred for qualified veterinary services. Any animal not redeemed in accordance with the provisions of this section shall, after the thirty (30) day period, become the property and responsibility of the adopter. Any animal captured and impounded under the terms of this title which has not been redeemed or adopted as provided in this chapter shall be destroyed of by the department of animal control in the most humane method of euthanasia currently recognized. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
If, in the opinion of the director or designated employee, the release of an impounded animal could impair the health or safety of the public, such animal shall be held at the animal control center or an approved veterinary clinic at the expense of the owner pending disposition pursuant to the order of a court of proper jurisdiction. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Any resident of the city may surrender an animal to the Newton County Animal Shelter. The following adoption-handling fee shall be charged for each cat or dog so surrendered by its owner or authorized agent:
|
Adult cat or dog |
Fifteen dollars ($15.00) |
|
Litter of puppies or kittens |
Fifteen dollars ($15.00) |
|
Subsequent litter of puppies or kittens from an animal owned by the same owner |
Thirty dollars ($30.00)* |
* In addition, the owner must obtain a kennel license, or have the
parents neutered by a veterinarian at the owner’s expense, with proof to be
furnished to Newton County animal control within thirty (30) days of such
neutering. Failure to comply shall be in violation of this code and subject
upon conviction to a penalty as provided in Section 1.12.010 of this code. An
exception may be made in the case of indigent owner or on an individual basis
if confirmed by the director or director’s designee.
(Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Sections:
6.08.010 Dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs.
6.08.020 Vicious animals.
Dangerous dogs and potentially dangerous dogs shall be investigated, classified, controlled and possessed in strict accordance with the Georgia Dangerous Dog Control Law (O.C.G.A. Section 4-8-20), as the same shall be amended from time to time. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
A. The owner of any vicious animal other than a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog who does not confine such animal in a building or secure enclosure, or any person who shall release, either willfully or through a failure to exercise due care or control, or take such animal out of such building or secure enclosure in a manner which is likely to cause injury to another person or damage to the property of another person, shall be in violation of this code, and such animal shall be permanently confined by its owner or humanely destroyed.
B. It shall be a violation of this code for any person to cause, permit, accompany or be responsible for any vicious animal on the streets or in any other public place in the city at any time, unless, in addition to the other requirements of this section, such animal is securely muzzled to effectively prevent it from biting any person or other animal. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Sections:
6.10.010 Livestock and fowl.
6.10.020 Redemption of impounded livestock.
6.10.030 Destruction of terminally wounded animals.
6.10.040 Tethering of animals.
The running at large of horses, mules, other equidae, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, domestic rabbits, domestic fowl, ostriches and emus or other such animals with the corporate limits of the city is declared a nuisance, and it shall be a violation of this code for the owner or keeper of any such animal or fowl to permit the same to run at large within the city. It shall be the duty of the director or director’s designee to capture and take charge of any such animal found running at large within the city, and to take such animal to the animal control center or other place designated by the director, there to be impounded and detained for a period in accordance with state law. It shall be a violation of this code for any person, other than a duly appointed and qualified law enforcement officer or an authorized employee of the director, or humane organizations approved by the director to engage in the impounding of animals. The foregoing restriction shall not apply to stray animals temporarily contained or impounded until the animal’s owner can be located and notified. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
The owner of such impounded livestock or fowl shall be responsible for the following impoundment and boarding fees, as well as any reasonable fees for veterinary care and hauling.
|
Impoundment |
$50.00 |
|
Animal boarding |
not to exceed $15.00/day |
If, at the time of the sale of any livestock under the provisions of state law and this code, the owner has not redeemed the same in accordance with state law and this code, and no purchaser can be found for the animal, the director or director’s designee shall cause such animal to be humanely destroyed, and shall deposit the carcass in such place as may be designated by the director for such purpose. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
When from any cause a horse, mule, cow, steer, goat, sheep, dog, cat or other animal within the corporate limits of the city shall be so wounded, maimed or injured as to render its recovery hopeless, then it shall be the duty of the director, or designated animal control officer, to cause such animal to be humanely destroyed as soon after such injury as practicable, and to cause its carcass to be removed to such place as may be set apart by the director for such purpose. When the director has cause to humanely destroy any animal under this section, he shall file a written report of such destruction including:
A. A description of the animal and the name of its owner, if known;
B. The injury which made destruction necessary, how same was inflicted and by whom, if known;
C. The names of at least two reliable witnesses who are conversant with the facts of the injury and the destruction; and
D. A veterinarian’s description of the injury, if available. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
It shall be a violation of this code for any person to: (a) stake, tie or hobble an animal on any land other than land owned or leased by the owner of such animal; (b) obstruct any street or sidewalk by hitching or staking out an animal or to permit an animal to be so hitched or staked out that it can go upon or across any street or sidewalk; (c) tie or fasten an animal to a tree, or box around any tree, planted or growing in a street or public place, or to a fence or lamppost which is the property of another, without such other person’s consent. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Sections:
6.12.010 Keeping of wild animals.
6.12.020 Redemption of impounded wild animals.
6.12.030 Exceptions.
6.12.040 Vaccination of wild animals.
It is unlawful within the corporate limits of the city for a person to possess, keep, permit, suffer, cause, or allow a wild animal within any residence or within three hundred (300) feet of a residence or building used for human habitation.
A. “Wild animal,” as used in this section, means and includes any mammal, amphibian, reptile, or fowl which is of a species which is wild by nature, or of a species which, due to its size, vicious nature or other characteristic is, dangerous to humans. Such animals shall include, but not be limited to lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, bears, wolves, raccoons, skunks, apes, gorillas, monkeys of a species whose average adult size weight is twenty (20) pounds or more, foxes, elephants, rhinoceroses, alligators, crocodiles, and all forms of poisonous reptiles. The term “wild animal” as used in this code shall not include gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rabbits, or ferrets.
B. A person who violates a provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a penalty as provided in Section 1.12.010 of this code. Each day a person continues such violation shall be a separate offense. Further, the keeping of more than one such wild animal in violation of this section shall be a separate offense for each such animal.
C. The director or director’s designee shall seize and impound all animals found in violation of this section at the animal control center or other suitable place. The director, ACO, or any law enforcement officer within the city may enter any building to seize a wild animal being kept therein in violation of this section upon the consent of an adult occupant of such building or one having the right of possession of such building or under a warrant issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Upon showing to the director or his designee of clear, and convincing proof of right to possession of any impounded wild animal, the holder of such right may redeem such animal within seven days of the date of its impoundment upon payment of the fees set forth herein, provided:
A. That such animal is not infected or believed to be infected with rabies or any other disease;
B. That such person submits a sworn affidavit to the director setting out the location where the animal will be kept and that he will not permit, suffer, cause, or allow such animal to be within a residence or within three hundred (300) feet of a residence in violation of this chapter. If such animal is not redeemed within seven days of the date of initial impoundment, the director shall be authorized to destroy such animal in the most humane manner practicable;
C. The following fees shall be charged for impoundment and boarding wild animals:
1. Impoundment fee for each animal impounded: fifty dollars ($50.00); and
2. A boarding fee of ten dollars ($10.00) per day for animals under thirty (30) pounds; fifteen dollars ($15.00) per day for animals over thirty (30) pounds but not more than one hundred (100) pounds; or twenty dollars ($20.00) per day for animals over one hundred (100) pounds. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to animals kept for treatment in a facility operated by a veterinarian, animals kept in publicly owned zoos, animals used for research for teaching purposes by a medical or veterinary school, licensed hospital, Georgia accredited university or college or animals maintained by a Georgia licensed rehabilitation service provider. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
A. No person shall vaccinate, or attempt to vaccinate, a wild animal, as defined in this chapter, against rabies by the use of live virus vaccine.
B. Except as provided in subsection C below, no person shall possess, keep, permit, or allow a wild animal, as defined in this chapter, within the city if such animal has been vaccinated against rabies with the use of live vaccine.
C. This section shall not apply to the use of live rabies vaccine for research purposes when such research is conducted by a medical or veterinary school, licensed hospital, Georgia accredited college or university. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Sections:
6.14.010 Adoption procedure.
6.14.020 Mandatory sterilization.
6.14.030 Issuance of licenses.
Newton County animal control may offer for adoption an animal unclaimed after six days following notification of impoundment pursuant to Section 6.06.020 of this title or an animal that has been surrendered to animal control by its owner, provided each animal offered for adoption is determined by the director or director’s designee to be of reasonably good health and temperament.
Persons desiring to adopt an animal must make application for adoption with Newton County animal control, meet requirements associated with the humane housing and care of the animal, as determined by the director, and pay the required fees. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Animals adopted from Newton County animal control shall be sterilized in strict accordance with the Georgia Spay/Neuter Law (O.C.G.A. Section 4-14-1, et seq.), as the same may be amended from time to time. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))
Before a kennel or breeders license is issued by Newton County, the animal control center shall be required to investigate the petitioner, the location and facilities to determine the legitimacy of the petition and whether the location, facilities and environment are such as will insure against so called puppy mills and provide humane and proper care of the animals. All kennels and breeders shall be registered with the animal control center, and animal control personnel may make periodic inspections of the animals and facilities. Any operator of a kennel in the city who fails to obtain a license and/or fails to maintain registration with the animal control center shall be subject to fines and/or penalties for violations as provided in Section 1.12.010 of this code. (Ord. dated 8/20/07 (part))