Georgia and Chatham County do not ban any dog breed. Instead, a dog is regulated by its behavior: it can be declared a 'dangerous' or 'vicious' dog under O.C.G.A. § 4-8-21, triggering strict confinement, muzzle, insurance, and registration duties.
Chatham County Code §22-301 provides that classified dogs are defined in Title 4, Chapter 8 of the Georgia Code, with classification made under O.C.G.A. 4-8-23. State law (O.C.G.A. § 4-8-21) defines a 'dangerous dog' by conduct — a substantial puncture bite, an aggressive attack causing reasonable fear of serious injury, or killing a pet off the owner's property — not by breed. Once classified, §22-304 states: 'It shall be unlawful for an owner of a classified dog to permit the dog to be outside a proper enclosure unless the dog is muzzled and restrained by no more than a 6-foot chain or leash and is under the physical restraint of a responsible person.' Owners must also register ($150), microchip, spay/neuter,
Failing to confine or properly restrain a classified dog violates Chapter 22 and O.C.G.A. Article 4-8; penalties include fines up to $1,000, impoundment, and state criminal exposure for repeat or injury cases.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Chatham County, GA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Chatham County.
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