Crimes Involving Animals in Georgia
There is no doubt that we love our pets and treat them like family. We get very upset when animals are abused and there are heavy stigmas attached to animal abusers. If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime involving animals, you need legal representation right away. Our Attorneys at Lawson and Berry have over 50 combined years of criminal experience and know to successfully handle your case from start to finish. Don't wait to hire an attorney because it could make all the difference in your case.
Crimes Involving Animals in Georgia Include:
Abandonment of Dead Dogs: Abandonment of dead dogs occurs when a person leaves a dead dog on private or public property. However, if it was unintentional, that will be a sufficient defense. A conviction under this law will be treated as a misdemeanor.
Abandonment of Dogs: Abandoned dogs pose a problem to people and other dogs. It is illegal to intentionally release a dog on public or private property.
Cruelty to Animals: In Georgia, cruelty to animals occurs when a person causes physical pain, suffering, or death to an animal by any unjustifiable act or omission. This can manifest in hundreds of different ways. Additionally, if the conduct was malicious, the charge can be elevated to aggravated cruelty to animals.
Cruelty to Dogs: Cruelty to dogs is another offense a person can be charged with after hurting an animal. Under the statute, it is illegal to harm, maim, kill, or perform a cruel act on a dog. It is also a crime to attempt to do these things to dogs.
Dogfighting: Dogfighting can present itself in five different ways according to Georgia law. They include wagering money on the result of dogfighting, allowing the act to occur on your premises, and promoting or advertising a dogfight. A person convicted of any part of dogfighting will be guilty of a felony.
Livestock Running at Large: Livestock running at large occurs when a person permits their livestock to stray upon public roads or the property of another. If convicted, the defendant will be charged with a misdemeanor.
Penalty for Crimes Involving Animals in Georgia
Crimes involving misdemeanors are charged as misdemeanors except for dogfighting which carries severe consequences. A person convicted of a misdemeanor will face up to one year in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, or both.
Georgia Defenses
It was unintentional: If you had obtained consent to dump the dog on someone's property, but the dog fell off the back of your truck without you knowing onto someone else's land; you may have a defense.
I had consent from the owner: Evidence that the owner of the property of the county official approved your actions would negate the charges.
Contact Our Firm
Although a misdemeanor conviction may seem inconsequential, spending time in jail or paying fines will have an impact on your life. It is still important that you retain representation to help you fight the charges and try to either get the jail time or fine lowered. The Georgia Criminal Defense Attorneys at Lawson and Berry are here for you! Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
