Sec. 14-203Confiscation of suspected abused 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.
If an animal control officer and/or any law enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe that any animal is subject to abuse as defined in this chapter, he shall confiscate and the animal pending the conclusion of an investigation. The investigation shall be completed by the end of the seventh business day, at which time a finding shall be issued by the animal control officer. If a finding is made that the animal is being abused, cruelty to animal charges shall be filed against the owner and the animal will become the property of the city. If a determination is reached that the animal is not being abused, the animal will be returned to its owner, and follow-up investigations may be conducted by the animal control officer at the discretion of the animal control officer. The responsibility for costs related to the confiscation and impoundment during the investigation will rest with the owner, regardless of the determination reached.
History: (Ord. No. 01-04, § 4.71, 4-5-2001)
Editor's note— Formerly, § 14-118.
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_ARTVABCRNE_S14-203COSUABAN
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH14AN_ARTVABCRNE_S14-203COSUABAN
Paid for by James Burgess