Columbus, Georgia

AN ORDINANCE



No.



An Ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the Columbus Code (Animals and Fowl) by

adding definitions, requiring shelters for dogs, regulating transport and

fencing for domesticated animals; and for other purposes.



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NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY ORDAINS:



SECTION 1.



Section 5-3(c) of the Columbus Code is hereby amended by adding a new

subsection (9) to read as follows:



?(9) A designated representative of PAWS Columbus, Inc. confirmed by Council."



SECTION 2.



Section 5-5 of the Columbus Code is hereby amended by adding new subsections

(20) and (21) to read as follows:



"(20)Tethering shall mean the act of fastening or restraining a dog to

a length of material in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of

the dog. The tether may be made out of rope or metal chain and, for yard

tethering, shall be a minimum of twelve feet long and appropriate for the size

of the dog. Tethers used for transportation of animals shall be of sufficient

length to prevent animals from jumping off or being thrown from a vehicle.



(21)Caretaker shall mean any person entrusted with the short term

responsibility for a domesticated animal. If an Owner gives short term

responsibility for an animal to a minor, the Owner remains responsible for any

liability in connection with the animal."



SECTION 3.



Chapter 5 of the Columbus Code is hereby amended by adding a new

Section 5-7.1 to read as follows:



"An Owner or Caretaker of a dog who allows the dog to spend more than

eight hours in a twenty-four hour period outside must provide the dog an

outdoor facility that meets the following specifications:



(a) Outdoor facilities for dogs shall include one or more shelters that

are accessible to each dog and one or more separate outside areas of shade that

is large enough to contain all the dogs at one time to protect them from the

direct rays of the sun. Outdoor facilities shall be kept neat and free of

clutter, including equipment, furniture and stored materials as well as

accumulated trash, waste, junk, weeds and other discarded materials.



(b) Outdoor shelters shall comply with the following:



(1) Include a roof, four sides and a floor;



(2) Be of sufficient size to allow each dog in the outdoor facility to sit,

stand, lie in the fully stretched position, and to turn about freely;







(3) Provide an environment that will protect from the elements when the ambient

temperature is below 50 degree Fahrenheit or below 10 degrees Celsius;



(4) Be constructed of materials that are impervious to moisture and easily

cleaned and sanitized;



(5) Be structurally sound and kept in good repair, with no missing boards,

jagged edges or excessive rust;



(6) Be cleaned weekly on all hard surfaces with which the dogs come into

contact; and,



(7) Be free of accumulated trash, waste, junk,

weeds and other discarded materials.



(8) Carports are acceptable means of shelter.



SECTION 4.



Section 5-10 of the Columbus Code is hereby amended by deleting the

title and inserting a new title to read as follows:



"Control of Domestic Animals"



SECTION 5.



Subsection 5-10(c) of the Columbus Code is hereby deleted in its

entirety and is replaced by the following language:



"Use of a leash on all public property. No Owner or Caretaker shall

allow any canine, ?dog? on any public property unless such animal is restrained

by an appropriate leash and under the control of a responsible person. This

restriction does not apply to local, state or federal public safety canine

officers, to licensed search and rescue operations or to properly licensed

animal shows or government-owned animal care facilities or properly licensed

animal adoption facilities."



SECTION 6.



Section 5-10(d)of the Columbus Code is hereby amended by adding new

subsections (11) and (12) to read as follows:



"(11) Transportation of Animals. It shall be a violation of this Chapter for a

canine animal to be transported in the back of an open bed vehicle unless such

animal is securely tethered by a cross tie to prevent such animal from jumping

off or being thrown from the vehicle.



(12) Fencing

(A) Owners that rely upon a fence to secure their canine animal must use a

fence with a minimum height of four (4) feet or of sufficient height and

structural support to ensure that such animals are restrained within the

confines of their property. The individual size and abilities of any canine

animal shall determine the height of the fence. If such animal evades the

fence, the Owner shall be in violation of Section 5-10(a)."

(B) Owners may use electronic fencing as long as said fencing is operational to

ensure that such animals are restrained within the confines of their property.

If such animal evades the electronic fencing, the Owner shall be in violation

of Section 5-10(a).



SECTION 7.



Section 5-12 of the Columbus Code is hereby amended by deleting

subsection (1) and replacing it with the following language:



"Any violation of the Columbus Code Section 5-7.1 on Shelter shall be

guilty of a city ordinance violation, punishable as set forth in Section 1-8 of

the Columbus Code.?



SECTION 8.



Section 5-12 of the Columbus Code is hereby amended by adding new

subsections (7) and (8) to read as follows:



"(7) Tethering that does not meet the requirements of Section 5-5(20)."



"(8) It shall be a violation of this ordinance for an animal to be left

unattended in a vehicle if the inside temperature of the vehicle exceeds 85

degrees.





SECTION 9.



Section 5-13.1 of the Columbus Code is hereby amended by deleting

subsection (a) and replacing it with the following language:



?(a) Holding Time. Any impounded animal, not under observation for

rabies, that is not claimed within five days of the date of impoundment or five

days after the Owner of the animal is notified, shall be disposed of in a

manner approved by the Director of Public Services. However, if the Owner is

incarcerated at the time of impoundment, the animal shall be held for ten (10)

days. After the tenth day the animal shall become the property of Columbus,

Georgia and be disposed of in a manner approved by the Director of Public

Services.?



SECTION 10.



All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are

hereby repealed.



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Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held on

the _______ day of ____________________, 2004; introduced a second time at a

regular meeting of said Council held on the ______ day of

_______________________, 2004, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative

vote of ________ members of said Council.









Councilor Allen voting____________.

Councilor Anthony voting__________.

Councilor Davis voting____________.

Councilor Henderson voting________.

Councilor Hunter voting___________.

Councilor McDaniel voting_________.

Councilor Rodgers voting__________.

Councilor Suber voting____________.

Councilor Pugh voting_____________.

Councilor Woodson voting__________.









_______________________________ ______________________________

TINY B. WASHINGTON ROBERT S. POYDASHEFF

CLERK MAYOR