Georgia Dog Law

Liability Statute

Georgia does not have a Dog Bite Statute.

Common Law Liability

Under Georgia common law, a dog owner is liable for damages if the owner knew, or should have known, that the dog had the propensity to bite and cause injury. Under Georgia law, a dog’s aggressiveness or menacing behavior alone is not sufficient to place the owner on notice of the dog’s propensity to bite.

Dangerous Dog Statute

The Meaning of a “Dangerous Dog”

Under Georgia law, a “dangerous dog” is:

• a dog that, without provocation, inflicts severe injury on a human. A severe injury is one that results in death, broken bones, or disfiguring lacerations that require multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.
• a dog that, without provocation, aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers the safety of humans after the dog was classified as “potentially dangerous” and after the owner was put on notice that the dog is potentially dangerous.

The Meaning of a “Potentially Dangerous Dog”

Under Georgia law, a “potentially dangerous dog” is a dog that, without provocation, bites a human.

Legal Responsibilities of Dog Owners

• Owners must keep dangerous dogs and potentially dangerous dogs either securely confined indoors or confined outdoors in a securely enclosed and locked pen, fence, or structure that prevents entry of young children, as well as escape of the animal. When outside the enclosure, the dog must be muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash and be under the physical restraint of a responsible person.
• Owners must register dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs with the state.
• Owners must post their property with a clearly-visible sign that warns people of the dog’s presence. The state has a uniform symbol that must be placed on the sign.
• Owners must maintain liability insurance of at least $15,000 for personal injuries inflicted by the dog or a surety bond of $15,000 or more payable to any person injured by the dog.

Liability of Dog Owners

Owners of dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs are strictly liability for injuries and damages caused by their dogs. In addition to civil liability, owners face criminal penalties of up to $5,000 in fines and one year in prison for the first offense, and up to $10,000 in fines and ten years in prison for second and subsequent offenses.

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