On June 13, the Augusta Public Safety Committee will discuss an ordinance requiring Richmond County pet owners to register their dogs and cats through Augusta Animal Services. The ordinance has been in effect since 2016.
The ordinance was designed as a way to make sure pet owners were getting the required rabies vaccinations for their pets. Under the current law, registration is free for animals that have been spayed or neutered. For unspayed/neutered animals, the registration comes with a $10 fee.
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However, it appears that residents have largely ignored the registration requirement and such an ordinance is likely mostly unenforceable.
If passed, the amended ordinance will also include a requirement that all dogs wear a collar at all times; however, the requirement of a rabies tag will be dropped. The law makes it illegal for anyone to remove a dog’s collar without the permission of the owner.
If an animal is discovered running loose without a rabies tag and the animal is picked up by Animal Control, the owner may still face a $300 rabies quarantine fee along with a $60 per day impound fee for the first offense.
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The amended ordinance, if passed, will also set the rates for pet adoptions through the county. For seniors and military, the fee will be $50 for any pet adopted. The adoption fee for cats will be set at $55, male dogs $65 and female dogs $75.
The ordinance leaves in place other pet related rules, such as it is not legal to transport an uncrated animal in a truck bed. It is also illegal to chain or tether a dog to a fixed object unless the owner is present and has a clear line of sight to the animal.
Scott Hudson is the senior reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
