In early December 2024, the DeKalb County, Georgia, Board of Commissioners deferred consideration of changes to its animal ordinance that AKC views as problematic for responsible dog breeders and owners. As currently worded, it seeks to impose restrictions on breeders and anyone who transfers, gives away, or sells pets. County staff have reported that the ordinance is expected to next be taken up by the Board at its Tuesday, January 21, 2025, meeting, during which it is expected to be returned to the Board’s County Operations Committee for further consideration.
Nevertheless, the American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages all DeKalb County residents, and those from surrounding communities who believe that responsible dog breeders and owners should not have their rights unreasonably limited, to again contact the Board of Commissioners and respectfully ask them to reject proposed ordinance 2024-0190 as currently worded. It is important to demonstrate respectful yet strong opposition to this unreasonable proposal.
RECAP:
Ordinance 2024-0190 would:
- Require owners of female companion animals to obtain a litter permit prior to, or within one week after, the birth of a litter. The cost of the permit fee is not provided. This permit would be in addition to federal and Georgia state-level dog and cat breeder requirements.
- 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. This exposes individuals to risk if either the person transferring or receiving the pet acts in bad faith.
- Limit the number (undetermined) of permits that could be issued to a household in any 12-month period; and limit a female companion animal to producing one litter per year.
- Allow Dekalb County Animal Services to waive litter permit fees for rescue groups and foster care providers that breed/whelp litters and sell/transfer pets.
- Require litter permit holders to permanently retain the name and address of every recipient of an animal they transferred, and provide them for inspection if requested.
- Require the litter permit holders to comply with incomplete consumer protections, including liability 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 current proposal may be viewed at https://dekalbcountyga.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12670626&GUID=764D0019-2651-450B-9391-4F0CE264C9F1.
This proposal will not only affect responsible dog breeders. If you live in DeKalb County and might have reason to transfer ownership of, sell, or give away a pet, now or into the future, this problematic ordinance, as currently worded, will affect you.
As of the afternoon of Thursday, January 16, no information about amendments to the proposal, if any, is available. Additionally, changes to the Board’s leadership and committee assignments are currently taking place.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Continue to contact DeKalb County commissioners and respectfully ask them to reject proposed animal ordinance 2024-0190. Click here to identify your commissioner and their contact information.
Please note that two new county commissioners have recently been elected to fill vacant seats. Nicole Massiah represents District 3 and LaDena Bolton represents District 7. Residents are urged to share their concerns with the newly-elected commissioners and respectfully let them know that you strongly oppose ordinance 2024-0190.
In the modern political climate, AKC recommends everyone be courteous to others involved in the political process, including to those that may not return the favor; and be the mature, reliable source of factual information about dogs and responsible breeding and ownership practices.
Click here to view information about the value of responsible dog breeders that can be shared with DeKalb Commissioners.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SHARE LOCAL UPDATES:
Please contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org or call 919-816-3720.