An overreaching proposed animal ordinance that includes litter permits and other problematic provisions will be considered by the DeKalb County (Georgia) Operations Committee (OPS Committee) on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 9:30am.
This ordinance has been under consideration throughout most of 2024. It is important for OPS Committee members and your DeKalb County commissioners to continue to hear from constituents who oppose proposed animal ordinance 2024-0190. Two new commissioners will be elected on November 5, and they also will need to hear your concerns. Please scroll down for commissioners’ contact information and meeting details.
Click here, then click on Attachments: 1. Animal Litter Permit Transfer and Sale Legislation to download and view the proposed ordinance.
Among numerous other problematic requirements, the proposed ordinance seeks to:
- Require owners of female companion animals to obtain a litter permit prior to, or within one week after, the birth of a litter. A permit fee is referenced, but the amount is not provided. This permit would be in addition to federal and Georgia state-level dog and cat breeder requirements.
- Limit the number of permits that could be issued to a household in any 12-month period; however, the proposed number is blank in the ordinance. It also would limit a female companion animal to producing one litter per year.
- Allow Dekalb County Animal Services to waive the fee for a litter permit for rescue groups and foster care providers that breed/whelp litters and sell/transfer pets.
- Require the litter permit holder to permanently retain for inspection the name and address of every recipient of an animal.
- Require the litter permit holder to be liable for medical costs up to the purchase price for any puppy or kitten “diagnosed as sick” within one week from the date of sale. The proposed ordinance fails to require veterinary documentation of illness, allow the seller/transferer of the pet to have it examined by their own veterinarian, or provide adequate due process for either the buyer or seller. AKC Government Relations has shared model legislation for consumer protection for pet buyers with commissioners and county staff.
- Require that puppies and kittens may only be sold, given as a gift, or transferred from the location listed on the litter permit, subject to seizure if transferred at another location.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Contact OPS Committee members prior to their meeting on October 8, 2024, and respectfully state your opposition to animal ordinance 2024-0190. As of 11/1/24, committee members include:
Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, Committee Chair
404-371-2159
mdjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov
Commissioner Michelle Long Spears (sponsor of the proposed ordinance)
404-371-2863
mlspears@dekalbcountyga.gov
Commissioner Ted Terry
404-371-4909
Ted@Dekalbcountyga.gov
- Attend the OPS Committee meeting on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 9:30am, to state your opposition to animal ordinance 2024-0190. Ask committee members to reject the proposed ordinance and to work with their constituent dog owners to draft an alternate proposal that is fair, enforceable, and compliant with state and federal law. The committee meeting is currently scheduled to be held at 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030. Stop at a desk inside the visitors’ entrance for meeting room information. Note: Please check for meeting location updates.
- Contact DeKalb County Commissioners who do not serve on the OPS Committee AND the two new commissioners who will be elected on November 5, 2024, to respectfully state your opposition to animal ordinance 2024-0190.
IMPORTANT: Depending on what action is taken by the OPS Committee on 11/8/24, the ordinance could advance to the full County Commission for a vote as early as December 10, 2024. Therefore, it is important to immediately express your opposition to all commissioners. Click here to identify your commissioner and their contact information. Please note that following the election, the two commissioners who are elected to fill vacant seats will likely take office immediately.
Please contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org or call 919-816-3720 for additional information.