Penalties for violation of article.
Atlanta City Code § 18-116
in effectSec. 18-116. - Penalties for violation of article.
(a) Any person who does anything prohibited or fails to do anything required by this article, upon conviction of the violation in a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be subject to fine, imprisonment, or any combination thereof, in accordance with section 1-8 of this Code. Each act or omission in violation of this article shall constitute a separate offense. Where any offense or violation continues from day to day, each day's continuance thereof shall be deemed a separate offense.
(b) For any violation of this article, the court may impose the following conditions in any combination thereof:
(1) Prohibit the offender from owning, possessing, or having on the offender's premises in the City of Atlanta any animal during the term of the sentence;
(2) Require that the animal be removed from the City of Atlanta;
(3) Require that the animal be surrendered to the animal control shelter;
(4) Require that the animal be humanely euthanized;
(5) Require payment of restitution to the victim(s);
(6) Require payment of costs for impound, housing, veterinary care, and humane euthanasia.
(c) Any person who violates the provisions of this article as it pertains to a public nuisance animal shall be guilty of violating the City of Atlanta Code and shall be fined not less than $250.00 for a second conviction, and not less than $500.00 for a third conviction.
(d) Any person who violates the provisions of this article as it pertains to a dangerous dog shall be guilty of violating the City of Atlanta Code and will be fined not less than $500.00 for a second conviction, and not less than $750.00 for a third conviction or subsequent conviction.
(e) If the owner of a dangerous or vicious dog fails to comply with section 18-170 or section 18-173 of this article and his/her dog attacks or bites a human, of if the owner of a dangerous or vicious dog knowingly and willfully fails to comply with section 18-170 or section 18-173 of this article and his/her dog aggressively attacks and causes severe injury to or the death of a human, in addition to any penalties provided in this Code or state law, the animal control officer shall immediately confiscate the dog and place it in quarantine for a period of time as provided by the health department and thereafter the dog may be humanely destroyed.
(Ord. No. 2017-30(17-O-1033), § 1, 6-14-17)
Source: City of Atlanta, Code of Ordinances (Charter and Related Laws, General Ordinances, Land Development Code) (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ga/atlanta/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOORENOR_CH18AN_ARTIVPRAPPOWIFUCO_DIV2GE_S18-116PEVIARFetched: 10/28/2026