Sec. 14-232Designation of a dog control officer and designation of authority

(a) The city's animal control officer shall be designated as the "dog control officer" for purposes of this article. It shall be the dog control officer's duty to investigate and classify as appropriate suspected dangerous or vicious dogs. In the event that the city does not have a designated animal control officer, then the "dog control officer" shall be appointed by the city council, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 4-8-22(b).

(b) The dog control officer's duty of investigation and classification arises only after a report is made to such dog control officer regarding events which occurred within the incorporated portions of the city which events may warrant classification of a dog as dangerous or vicious. Such a report may be made by any law enforcement agency, rabies control office, local or state board of health, or citizen.

(c) The dog control officer shall not be authorized to make arrests unless he or she is a law enforcement officer having the powers of arrest.

(d) The city council may designate an animal control board or local board of health to receive appeals from dog owners regarding classification of dangerous or vicious dogs, as set forth herein below (hereinafter referred to as the "designated authority.") In the event that the city council does not designate such an authority to receive appeals, such appeals shall be handled by the county probate court as required by O.C.G.A. § 4-8-23.

History: (Ord. No. 15-04, § 3(Exh. A), 5-7-2015)