Chatham County has no standalone hoarding statute, but it curbs hoarding through hard numeric pet limits (8 cats, 6 dogs per acre) and its cruelty/neglect provisions, which bar failing to provide adequate food, water, space, shelter, and sanitary conditions.
Hoarding is addressed through two levers. First, §22-212 caps a single-family residence at 8 cats and 6 adult dogs over one year of age per acre unless all animals are permanently confined indoors. Second, the Chapter 22 cruelty-and-neglect provisions make it unlawful to abuse or neglect an animal, including 'Neglecting to provide adequate drink, adequate food, adequate space, adequate shelter, adequate ventilation and/or sanitary conditions' and failing to provide veterinary care. Animal Services officers may inspect, cite, seize, and impound animals from an owner who exceeds the limits or keeps animals in cruel or unsanitary conditions, and severe cases can be referred for criminal cruelty prosecution under Georgia law.
Violations bring a fine of $100-$1,000 per count plus impoundment and restitution (§22-106); cruelty and neglect can also be charged criminally under Georgia's animal-cruelty statutes.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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Chatham County, GA
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See how Chatham County's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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