Sec. 14-120Cruelty and neglect to animals prohibited
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.
No animal in the incorporated areas of the city shall be subject to cruelty and/or neglect as outlined in this section.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to perform a cruel act on any animal; nor shall any person harm, maim, or kill any domestic animal, or attempt to do so, except that a person may:
a. Defend his person or property, or the person or property of another, from injury or damage being caused by an animal; or
b. Kill any animal causing injury or damage to any livestock or poultry.
(2) The method used for killing the animal in the situations outlined in item (1) above shall be designed to be as humane as is possible under the circumstances. A person who humanely kills an animal under the circumstances indicated in item (1) of this article shall incur no liability for such death.
(3) This section shall not be construed to limit in any way the authority or duty of any law enforcement officer or animal control officer.
(4) It shall be the duty of the animal owner, caretaker, or possessor to provide adequate shelter, food, water, and sanitary conditions at all times; and to provide necessary medical care including, but not limited to, the required annual rabies inoculation. Failure to comply with this section constitutes neglect and is a violation of this division.
(5) When harnessed all animals shall be harnessed in such a manner that will not cause injury to the animal, and the animal shall be given plenty of room on a harness to exercise.
(6) Any violation of this section shall be enforced as outlined in division 8 of this article.
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_DIV6CRNEAN_S14-120CRNEANPR
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH14AN_ARTIIDO_DIV6CRNEAN_S14-120CRNEANPR
Paid for by James Burgess