Brookhaven, GA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 5 of the Code of the City of Brookhaven, Georgia sorts animals by conduct, and the chapter names no breed. Under Sec. 5-1, a dangerous animal is one that, according to the records of an appropriate authority, causes a substantial puncture of a person's skin by teeth without serious injury, aggressively attacks in a way that makes a person reasonably believe serious injury is imminent, or kills a pet animal while off the owner's property. A nip, scratch, abrasion, barking, growling or showing of teeth is not enough. A vicious animal is one that inflicts serious injury on a person, or causes serious injury to a person resulting from reasonable attempts to escape the animal's attack.

Classification runs through the police chief. The summons is served on the owner personally, the animal is impounded, and the hearing is set no earlier than 15 days after service. The court can order the owner to pay boarding and confinement costs and other restitution, and an appeal goes by petition for writ of certiorari to the superior court of DeKalb County. Sec. 5-11 bars classification when the animal was reacting to an assault on its owner, a willful trespasser, someone who tormented or abused it, or an attack on the owner or another person, when it was protecting its young, or when it was used by a law enforcement or military officer on duty.

Once classified, the owner must obtain an annual certificate of registration from the police chief. Sec. 5-12 requires the owner to be 18 years old or older, pay the annual fee set by the city manager, and show a microchip, liability insurance or a surety bond of $50,000.00 for a dangerous animal or $75,000.00 for a vicious animal, proof of a classified animal pen, and proof of sterilization. If no certificate is obtained within thirty (30) days of the order, the animal is euthanized no earlier than 35 days after the order unless the owner appeals within thirty (30) days. Under Sec. 5-13, entrances must carry Dangerous/Vicious Animal on Property signs, and outside its pen the animal must be attended, muzzled and on a leash not exceeding three feet in length. The pen itself must be padlocked with a minimum 100 square foot area outside the shelter.