AN
ORDINANCE
NO._________
An ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the Columbus Code so as to establish and
increase various fees and costs pertaining to dogs and cats in Columbus,
Georgia, all effective July 1, 2015; to implement the requirements of state law
with respect to the regulation of vicious and dangerous dogs; and for other
purposes.
______________
THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1.
Section 5-2 (a) of the Columbus Code is hereby deleted in its entirety
and there is substituted a new Section 5-2 (a) to read as follows:
?a) Statutory authority. The general authority for this chapter is Official
Code of Georgia Annotated Title 4, chapters 8 and 11 as amended, which require
governing authorities of each county and municipality to regulate dangerous and
vicious dogs and license certain animals in the interest of rabies control.
SECTION 2.
Paragraphs (6) and (7) of section 5-5 the Columbus Code are hereby deleted in
their entirety and there are substituted new paragraphs (6) and (7) to read as
follows:
?(6) Dangerous dog shall mean any dog defined as dangerous by Official Code of
Georgia Section 5-8-21(a)(2).
(7) Vicious dog shall mean any dog defined as vicious by the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated Section 5-8-21(a)(6).
SECTION 3.
Section 5-11 of the Columbus Code is hereby deleted in its entirety and there
is substituted a new code section 5-11 to read as follows:
?Sec. 5-11. ? Dangerous or vicious dogs.
(a) All requirements concerning the classification, registration and
maintenance of dangerous and vicious dogs will be enforced in Columbus as set
forth in Article 2 of Chapter 8 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, (?Responsible Dog Ownership Law?). The Special Enforcement Division
Manager shall serve as the dog control officer for purposes of implementing the
requirements of the state law. The Animal Control Advisory Board is hereby
designated as the Authority in Columbus charged with making all determinations
and hearing all appeals required by the state law.
(b) The fee for registering dangerous or vicious dogs in Columbus, effective
July 1, 2015, shall be $150.00 annually. The required collar and up to two
warning signs shall be issued and are included in this fee. If additional signs
are required, the cost is $5.00 per sign.
(c) The Special Enforcement Division Manager and the Animal Control Advisory
Board are hereby authorized to regulate cats or other household pets which it
determines to be dangerous or vicious in a manner similar to that specified by
the Responsible Dog Ownership Law referenced above.
(d) It shall be unlawful to display a dangerous/vicious dog or animal sign at
locations or on premises where no such dangerous/vicious animal exists or is
located.
(e) The dog control officer, any CCG animal control officer or any sworn law
enforcement official is authorized to make whatever inquiry is deemed necessary
to ensure compliance with the provisions of the State law and such officers may
confiscate any dangerous or vicious dog in the case of any violation of the law.
SECTION 4.
Section 5-13 of the Columbus Code, Impoundment, is hereby amended by adding a
new subsection (c) to read as follows:
?(c) When a resident of Columbus is no longer able to maintain a cat or dog of
which he or she is the documented owner, he or she may surrender the animal to
CCG Animal Control. A surrender fee of $20.00, will be charged upon surrender,
and the owner will sign a document releasing all ownership rights to the animal
and waiving any future notices concerning the disposition of the animal.?
Section 5.
Section 5-13.1 of the Columbus Code, Disposition of Animals, is hereby
amended by adding a new subsection(e) to read as follows:
?(e) When euthanasia is requested by a resident of Muscogee County that is an
animal owner, it may be provided at a cost of $10.00 per animal with an
additional body disposal fee of $10.00.?
SECTION 6.
Section 5-14 of the Columbus Code is hereby deleted in its entirety and there
is substituted a new code section 5-14 to read as follows:
?Sec. 5-14. - Fee for recovery of impounded animals.
(a) Impoundment fee. In addition to city registration fees and board fees
required by this chapter, there shall be an impoundment charge assessed against
owners who recover their animals which were impounded under the provisions of
this chapter. The impoundment fee shall be in accordance with the following
schedule:
FIRST IMPOUNDMENT ALTERED (SPAYED/NEUTERED)
$50.00 ea NOT ALTERED (NOT SPAYED/NEUTERED)
$95.00 ea
SECOND IMPOUNDMENT ALTERED (SPAYED/NEUTERED)
$75.00 ea NOT ALTERED (NOT SPAYED/NEUTERED)
$125.00 ea
Each subsequent Impoundment within a two year period $100.00 ea $125.00 ea
(Subsequent impoundments are levied against the animal owner and not
necessarily for the same animal.)
(b) Board fee. In addition to city registration fees and impoundment fees
required by this chapter, there shall be a board fee of $10.00 per day, payable
before an impounded animal will be released to the owner.
SECTION 7.
Paragraph 5-15 of the Columbus Code, Private/Hobby Kennels (non-commercial), is
hereby amended by deleting paragraph 5-15(d) of that section in its entirety
and substituting a new paragraph 5-15(d) to read as follows:
?(d) There shall be a $100.00 inspection and permit fee for each private/hobby
kennel permit.?
SECTION 8.
Paragraph 5-16 of the Columbus Code, Commercial Kennels, is hereby amended by
adding a new paragraph 5-16(h) of that code section to read as follows:
?(h) There shall be a $100.00 inspection and permit fee for each commercial
kennel permit.?
SECTION 9.
Section 5-19 of the Columbus Code, Guard Dogs, is hereby amended by deleting
subparagraph 5-19(b)(3)of that section in its entirety and substituting a new
subparagraph 5-19(b)(3) to read as follows:
?(b)(3)The distinctive guard dog collars shall be available at the Animal Care
and Control Center at a cost of $50.00.
SECTION 10.
This ordinance shall become effective on July 1, 2015.
SECTION 11.
All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are
hereby repealed as of its effective date.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia held on the
16th day of June, 2015, introduced a second time at a regular meeting of said
council held on the ________day of __________, 2015, and adopted at said
meeting by the affirmative vote of _______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting______________.
Councilor Baker voting _____________.
Councilor Barnes voting ____________.
Councilor Buck voting ______________.
Councilor Davis voting _____________.
Councilor Henderson voting _________.
Councilor Huff voting ______________.
Councilor Thomas voting ____________.
Councilor Pugh voting ______________.
Councilor Woodson voting ___________.
______________________________ _______________________________
TINY B. WASHINGTON, CLERK TERESA PIKE TOMLINSON, MAYOR
Attachments
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