All About Georgia Dog Leash Laws
Georgia has a number of fundamental dog leash laws that pet owners should be aware of. At the state level, these laws vary depending on the county or city in which the pet owner resides; there are no statewide leash laws that are applicable to all pets across the board. In Georgia, the leash law is considered a deviation from the otherwise general rules of allowing pet owners to enjoy any privileges of their service and therapy animals.
As it is considered a deviation, the leash law must be available to be easily understood by the general public. State law does not allow for counties and municipalities to adopt and enforce any dog ordinances that do not follow the model ordinances that are found in state law. For example , the general pet leash law in Georgia states: If a person violates the general pet restraint law in Georgia, they can be fined up to $100 for their first offense, $200 for their second, and $300 for any subsequent offenses. In some areas, failure to abide by the leash law can be considered a misdemeanor.
When it comes to putting that law into practice, pet owners can be rest assured knowing that restrained means restrained by a physical device, like a leash collar or harness. The law does not require special equipment or tools for the restraint; therefore, if you plan on simply using a collar on your dog when they are leashed, you are just fine.
Dog Leash Laws by County
Closer analysis of Georgia law across its 159 counties reveals a number of leash or restraint laws beyond those found in the state statutes. These local leash laws can vary significantly, but they can generally be grouped into three categories: leash laws for all dogs, leash laws for certain dog breeds, and leash laws with special exemptions. The first category of leash laws is relatively straightforward. Some counties require all dogs to be on a 6-foot leash or shorter, whereas others simply require the leash to be of sufficient length to control the dog. Some counties explicitly prohibit using chains, zip lines, and other leashes that allow dogs long ranges of motion. Other individual leash laws only apply to certain breeds. For example, Richmond County repealed its dog leash law in 2019, but breed-specific laws remain in effect. Mongrel, pit, or bulldog varieties must be held on an adequate chain or other restraint no longer than 3 feet in length; and Rottweilers are required to be held on an adequate chain or other restraint no longer than 5 feet in length. Other counties have provisions exempting dogs from being restrained on public streets or sidewalks if the dog is in a designated off-leash area or is participating in a city- or county-sponsored event. These and other individual restrictions are set forth in the dog leash ordinances of various counties.
Penalties for Violating Dog Leash Laws
Each parish has their own leash laws or the lack thereof. If you fail to observe any of these laws, there can be consequences that could prove costly and troublesome.
In the City of Atlanta, Georgia Code 10-101 prohibits an owner, caretaker or person in possession of a dog from allowing the dog to run at large within city limits (including the neighborhood of Midtown). The consequence is a civil penalty of $1,000 per animal.
Fines are not the only downfall to violating Georgia’s restraining dog laws. A victim of dog bite or injuries can recover damages of physical and mental pain and suffering. If the offending dog has a history of aggression or bite, the dog owner can have liability for punitive damages as well. Punitive damages are those awarded to punish a defendant.
There are other ways a dog owner can be liable for their pet. You may not sue the owner of the dog on the ground of a dog’s propensity to bite or attack. However, if the dog’s owner knew of the dog’s propensity to bite, the owner is liable for damages to the person bitten. Violation of a city or ordinance or statute will also be evidence of a dog’s dangerous disposition.
Exceptions to Leash Laws
Georgia’s laws include some exceptions for leash requirements, or they may not apply in special circumstances. To begin with, Georgia law does not generally apply to service animals. These are animals that provide a specific service to a human with a disability. Service animals are specifically defined under the ADA and have been construed to exclude animals that primarily provide comfort or emotional support. The ADA, however, does not require service animals to wear a vest or an identifying harness. Service animals must be trained to perform a task or tasks that benefit a person with a disability. For example a seeing-eye dog would qualify as a service animal, while a dog that only provided comfort would not. Service animals are trained to some extent to behave themselves in public, and if they are disruptive or pose a direct threat to human safety, the ADA permits businesses and others to remove them from the premises. A service animal that is disruptive presents an interesting problem of personal injury law because, theoretically, the service animal is assisting a disabled person with a disability which in all likelihood is impacting that person’s ability to control the ESA’s behavior.
Some jurisdictions throughout Georgia allow for off-leash areas. This can either be designated public areas such as parks or privately owned areas such as large fenced-in properties. If, for example, a person’s back yard is fenced and meets zoning ordinances, the owner can legally allow dogs to engage in free play. A dog owner in an off-leash area can generally expect other dog owners, service animals, the general public, and even people who are suspicious of dogs . Some people may purposefully antagonize dogs on purpose for many reasons including to establish future liability. It is certainly possible that someone could purposefully incite a dog into biting them in order to create a false personal injury claim.
Per premises liability standards, a homeowner who allows a pack of dogs to roam freely on the property may be liable for off-premises incidents and injuries. Most liability theories surrounding dog bites are premised upon the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s propensity to bite. Most local laws presume that a pet owner knows their pet’s temperament, so the off-leash owner may be deemed to know of the risk of dog injuries. If someone decides to enter these areas and is injured, and if the injured person did not taunt, tease, fight with, or otherwise abuse the animals, then the owner may very well be found liable under Georgia law.
Even if service animals and off-leash areas are exceptions to Georgia’s leash law, they do not act as final barriers to suit. If your dog bites someone and this occurs while you are permitting it to roam around a designated off-leash area, you can still expect to be sued. Cuts, scrapes, bites and other types of injuries occur. Children get lung infections from being exposed to feces and urine. People fall down and are run into. This can lead to serious injuries. Further, if someone enters the property and is injured, this may have occurred because the owner was not exercising ordinary care. For example, if the owner knew that his or her dog had an aggressive disposition, then the dog-owner could be reasonably expected to have taken preventative measures, including not allowing the dog to roam free.
How Dog Leash Laws Benefit Neighborhoods
Leash laws are more than just a means of keeping public spaces organized; they help communities maintain a level of safety for those who live within the city or county. Here are some of the most significant reasons communities benefit from leash laws:
Public Safety
Not only do leash laws help people avoid unpleasant encounters with loose dogs, but they also help dogs avoid facing aggressive or unwanted behaviors from other canines. Without leash laws, the most well-trained dogs can be put in positions where they may feel threatened or scared if approached by other animals. While a dog’s owner can work to prevent this from happening, it’s not always a guarantee.
The public is not the only group that benefits from leash laws. Dog-on-dog aggression is a real concern that can lead to serious injury, even death. Unfortunately, many dog owners simply overlook the issue of leash laws altogether, putting both their own dogs and others at risk of being harmed.
Animal Welfare
Dogs that are kept leashed when outside are safer from attacks by other people and animals. Loose dogs are often targeted by other canines or attacked by frightened individuals, even if there’s no proclaimed threat from the animal. In many cases, leash laws have kept a potentially harmful and dangerous situation at bay.
A dog that isn’t leashed is much more likely to become lost, or run into roadways or private property, creating more risk that the animal may hurt itself or become a danger to others. While leashes do not eliminate all possible issues, they are an effective means of keeping everyone safe throughout the community and within their own surroundings.
Prevents Incidents, Bites, and Attacks
Many of the scenarios above can result in a pronounced incident, bite, or attack. If you think that your dog has been affected by a leash law offense, it’s always best to consult with legal counsel to determine if you’re eligible for compensation.
Tips for Being a Responsible Dog Owner
Here are some helpful tips and advice if you own a dog and live in Georgia. All dogs outside the home need to be on a leash when not in a fenced area even if the dog is on private property. When selecting a leash, choose one that is at least six feet long. The longer the leash is the more room your dog will have to roam around and be more bored. You want the dog to keep an eye one you at all times. You don’t want to get dragged or choked either, so make sure you have a handle and not a clip like many golf retractable leashes do. I would also recommend using a harness instead of attaching the leash to the dog’s collar. It will reduce strain on the dog’s neck if he or she jerks suddenly. It will keep the dog’s back end and tail from getting caught and hurt when you accidentally step on the retractable leash cord. Harnesses are also difficult for crafty dogs to slip out of. If you have a small or medium sized dog, you should consider the Lasersport No Pull, No Choke, Comfortable Mesh Adjusting Harness with Leash. This harness fits small and medium size dogs comfortably and securely snuggly but not too tight as long as you check the measurements and follow the sizing chart. The harness has an ‘easy-on’ feature that allows you to simply slide it over the dog’s head and quickly adjust the size with a little plastic slider. Yes, it does have a few clips that require some dexterity to latch and unlatch but that is to make the harness secure . If you have regular-sized dog, I would consider the Lasersport Foal No Choke, Comfortable Mesh Adjusting Harness with Leash. This harness as well fits a small and medium size dog but it is not as comfortable or secure as the other model mentioned above. However, it is much less expensive. I really liked using a harness on my dog, Tommy, when I had him. Tommy was not a big fan of the harness at first but I was willing to spend the extra time it took to get him used to it. I took Tommy to be evaluated by a few trainers before purchasing a harness. It was a process but it was worth it to know my dog was safe and protected. Another point to remember is that you want your dog to listen to you. It is almost impossible for your dog to listen to you when they are distracted – a bird flaps its wings or a person walks bye. Be mindful of your dog’s surroundings and if there is something to distract your dog, do not allow it. If the dog is walking away from you, call him back, and if he does not come back immediately, say, "No!" or "Stop!", then walk in the opposite direction. As soon as your dog returns to you, drop the "No," and reward your dog with a treat.
I am very focused when I take my dogs out for walks. It is important to pay attention to your dog. I cherish those moments when I notice the smallest things about my dogs. I notice where their pee spots are, where they are in relation to the other dogs, what they do when they see other people. We all have busy lives and things to focus on, but focus on your dog. They enjoy it and they deserve it.
