Atlanta approves harsher penalties for dangerous dogs

The Atlanta City Council unanimously approved changes to its animal control ordinance Monday, including harsher punishments for owners of “vicious and dangerous dogs.”

The amended ordinance ensures Atlanta is in compliance with more-stringent state laws regarding dangerous dogs, according to a news release.

City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms sponsored the legislation, which comes after numerous dog attacks this year, including an attack that killed 6-year-old Logan Braatz.

“While this change in the law is likely to have little solace to the victims and their families, it is my hope that our update of our laws will help prevent an attack within our communities from happening again,” Bottoms said in the statement.

Registration will be required for animals that are reported and determined to be dangerous or vicious. A spokesman said the legislation was written in a way to not classify a particular breed.

Anyone who violates the ordinance, which also applies to all domesticated animals, could face a $500 fine for a second conviction, and a $750 fine for a third or subsequent conviction. First-time offenders receive a warning.

If the owner doesn’t comply and his or her dog causes severe injury to or the death of a person, an animal control officer can immediately place the dog in quarantine. After that, the dog may be “humanely destroyed.”

Fulton County provides animal control services in Atlanta through a contract with an approved animal-control-services vendor.