Sec. 14-71Reclamation of impounded animals
Plain English: what this chapter covers
This chapter covers keeping animals in town: loose dogs and livestock, rabies shots and tags, reporting bites, cruelty and neglect, impoundment at the city's designated shelter, and the rules for dogs classified as dangerous or vicious. A word of caution: a lot of it is printed twice (rules from 2001 and again from 2011), and two different sets of dangerous-dog rules are still on the books, so it's worth asking the city which version they enforce.
(a) Any person may make application to the city for the return of any animal therein and upon presentation of proof satisfactory to the city that such person is rightly entitled to the possession of such animal may recover it upon presentation of a $25.00 impoundment fee plus fees to be fixed by agreement between the city council and said agency, together with the reasonable expense of the animal's keep. The agency shall retain any fees collected by it under this section. The city shall retain the $25.00 impoundment fee.
(b) No animal shall be released to a potential new owner prior to the end of the period stipulated in section 14-70, paragraph (b).
(c) If, after consultation with a licensed veterinarian, an animal is determined to have a terminal illness, a potentially lethal wound or (in the case of an animal whose owner has not been identified) a communicable disease, such animal shall be disposed of by humane methods without regard to the specified holding period.
(d) Enforcement personnel following the procedures proscribed in this division shall not be held liable for the disposal of any animal.
This is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. The official code is on Municode and at City Hall. Our copy is from April 30, 2026.
Online: https://jamesburgessleads.com/city-code/PTIICOOR_CH14AN_ARTIIDO_DIV4IMAN_S14-71REIMAN
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH14AN_ARTIIDO_DIV4IMAN_S14-71REIMAN
Paid for by James Burgess