Augusta-Richmond County, GA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration
- $100 annual certificate of registration
- Insurance
- $50,000 liability coverage for vicious dogs
- Hearing window
- 15 days to request classification hearing
- Outside enclosure
- Muzzle or 6-foot leash required
- Confiscation
- Dog destroyed after 20 unresolved days
Summary
Augusta-Richmond County classifies dogs as dangerous or vicious based on behavior, not breed, requiring registration, a secure enclosure, warning signs, microchipping, and liability insurance for vicious dogs, with certificates renewed annually for a $100 fee.
It shall be unlawful for an owner to have or possess within this state a vicious or dangerous dog without a certificate of registration issued in accordance with the provisions of this Code... The owner maintains and can provide proof of ... liability insurance in the amount of at least ($50,000.00)... The annual registration fee shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Recodification).
Full Breakdown
The Augusta-Richmond County Animal Control Department classifies a dog as 'dangerous' or 'vicious' after an officer investigation, not by breed; owners get mailed notice and 15 days to request a hearing. A classified dog needs an annual $100 certificate of registration, a secure enclosure, posted warning signs, and a microchip; vicious-dog owners also need $50,000 in liability insurance. Outside the enclosure the dog must be muzzled, on a six-foot leash under control, or caged. Violators face confiscation and misdemeanor charges. This applies countywide except Blythe and Hephzibah, which keep separate municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Possessing an unregistered vicious or dangerous dog, skipping the enclosure, signage, or microchip requirements, or letting the dog outside without a muzzle or leash is a misdemeanor and can trigger confiscation with costs billed to the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Augusta-Richmond County ban specific dog breeds?
What must the owner of a classified vicious dog do?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Augusta-Richmond County
How Augusta-Richmond County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Augusta-Richmond County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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