§ 5-167. Requirements for possessing dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs.

(a)

No one shall have or possess within the City of Fitzgerald a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog without a certificate of registration issued in accordance with the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 4-8-25 and the provisions thereof are incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this section.

(b)

The owner of each dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog shall pay an annual registration fee at the time of the issuance of the annual certificate of registration. The annual registration fee shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) through two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). Registrations shall be renewed in the month of initial registration. Potentially dangerous—one hundred dollars ($100.00). Dangerous—two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).

(c)

The dog control officer shall require evidence from the owner or make such investigation as may be necessary to verify that the dangerous dog or the potentially dangerous dog is confined or continuing to be confined in a proper enclosure and that the owner is in compliance with or continues to be in compliance with the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 4-5-25(b) and (c).

(d)

The owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog shall notify the animal control officer if the owner is moving from the City of Fitzgerald. The owner of a dangerous dog who is a new resident of the City of Fitzgerald shall register the dog as required by this article and the "Dangerous Dog Control Law" of the State of Georgia, within thirty (30) days after becoming a resident.

(e)

The owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog shall notify the animal control officer within twenty-four (24) hours if the dog is on the loose, unconfined, has attacked a human, has died, or has been sold or donated. If the dog has been sold or donated, the owner shall provide the animal control officer with the name, address, and telephone number of the new owner of the dog.

(f)

The issuance of a certificate of registration or the renewal of a certificate of registration by the City of Fitzgerald does not warrant or guarantee that the requirements specified in O.C.G.A. § 4-8-025(b) and (c) are maintained by the owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog on a continuous basis following the date of the issuance of the initial certificate of registration or following the date of any annual renewal of such certificate.

(Ord. No. 02-1303, 9-9-02)