Pets and rules in Atlanta (Powder Springs: house, law, dangerous) - Georgia (GA) - City-Data Forum

Valerie-Lydie · 11-06-2008, 08:44 AM

I heard that dogs are required by "law" to be left in the confine of the home or a pen but not left running in the (fenced?) back yard... for reasons like there is a virus brought by some mosquitoes that affect them... (would there be some prevention steps for that like a vaccins or else to help a dog to get as much freedom as they need?)... in Georgia (Atlanta)

This ruloe would not apply to cats...

Is this whole thing true?

There is a dog I like in the film Equilibrium (the puppy he takes) would you know what breed it is?

atlantagreg30127 · 11-06-2008, 10:11 AM

Do you mean the city limits of Atlanta?

Animal laws vary slightly depending on the town/County, etc. I'm not aware of any local laws that say you can't have a dog in a fenced yard all day. In all places, the dog would have to be considered "properly contained" - meaning it can't be able to escape the fenced yard. You also need to provide adequate shelter such as a real dog house for it that gives the dog proper shelter from the elements, as well as it would have to have access to fresh water all day (otherwise, animal neglect charges technically can fall into play in most areas of the state now).

Many areas now have dog barking laws. Example: In Powder Springs you can leave your dog outdoors all day, but if the dog barks continuously for a certain amount of time (I think it's 15 minutes or longer), then you violate the noise ordinance and will be ticketed/fined for it. Some other town/city areas have similar ordinances, others don't - you'd have to check with the city of Atlanta to see if they do.

Most areas don't have specific rules about cats. Cobb County's leash law however, DOES apply to cats - they're not supposed to be loose outdoors without a leash or contained in a yard. So if you're in Cobb and someone's loose cats scratch up your car, technically you have legal resources to make them pay for the damage, etc. Most other metro Counties however, ignore the cat thing.

Valerie-Lydie · 11-06-2008, 10:23 AM

I have never seen a cat scratching a car... and I have had cats all my life...
and keeping a cat in a fenced area is similar to keeping a bird in a fenced area...

I will check all this with the proper county. I was wondering also about those rumors about new viruses via mosquito stings...

Thank you

spacelord75 · 11-06-2008, 10:30 AM

Have not seen the movie, but looked it up and it was a Bernese Mountain Dog. I think they get pretty freaking big.

I don't know of any dog laws or rules, just as long as you keep them in a fenced yard. Both my neighbors keep their dogs outside all day all the time.

I now have an excuse to post a link to one of my favorite websites, showcasing LOL Dogs!
Loldogs, Dogs ‘n’ Puppy Dog Pictures - I Has A Hotdog!

Valerie-Lydie · 11-06-2008, 01:01 PM

Spacelord, this was hilarious thanks for the laugh
the Bernese Mountain Dog, so cute, but perhaps indeed too big and he might suffer the heat in summer...wondering what breeds do better on their own and with the heat now...and if the mosquitoes are really as dangerous as they appear to be on all those articles about pets...
Thanks very much for your response.

ebs964 · 11-06-2008, 01:07 PM

I believe one of the brands of flea preventative (maybe Advantix) also protects against mosquitos. However, you can't use it if you also have cats. Check with your vet.

Valerie-Lydie · 11-06-2008, 01:27 PM

RainyRainyDay · 11-06-2008, 03:05 PM

I think Valerie is thinking of heartworm preventative.

Heartworm is a parasite that's fatal to dogs and is carried by mosquitoes. It's a problem in all the contiguous US states, I think. Valerie, you have to get the preventative pills from your vet and give them once a month. It's not a lot of trouble, but very important to do.

The vet will do a blood test at your dog's annual checkup, to double-check they haven't been infected by heartworms. The infection is treatable, if not too massive, but the treatment is very hard on the dog. However, if you've remembered to give the preventative pills every month, your dog won't ever be infected.

We have a "doggie door" (or in UK vernacular, which I think might be more familiar to Valerie, a "dog flap") so our dogs can go out into our fenced back yard any time they want. I'm pretty sure this arrangement is not breaking any law here in Cobb County.

We give our heavy-coated dog a haircut for the hot season. She definitely seems happier with shorter hair in summer.

Valerie-Lydie · 11-06-2008, 04:20 PM

eh! thanks rainyrainyday (can't find the smilies)

I think this is it, I forgot the name because mosquitoes and worm linked together were not logical in my mind...but you made it very clearly and I am sure this is it. So I am fully reassured now that a pill monthly and this is it, my dog will not be affected ever... just have to choose the dog now... need to think a little more about the type and what if I travel???...

atlantagreg30127 · 11-06-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerie-Lydie

I have never seen a cat scratching a car...

I was wondering also about those rumors about new viruses via mosquito stings...

Actually, I have seen cat claws scratch up cars (they like to sit on top of cars when the temps are right), and have seen them sharpen claws on car covers, damaging them as well.

The West Nile virus can infect dogs. There was a spot on the news last year about it, where they said in some cases dogs had died from it and were misdiagnosed by the vets. They (at the time at least) were sure dogs were getting it, but had no way of accurately taking count due to vet's record keeping and those misdiagnosis es.