---
title: O.C.G.A. § 4-8-5. Cruelty to dogs; authorized killing of dogs.
collection: code
id: 4-8-5
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 4-8-5 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/4-8-5
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/4-8-5.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/4-8-5/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t4-6-(v4)-2013-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=8c0a1199_0#page=103
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: ANIMALS / DOGS / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 4-8-5. Cruelty to dogs; authorized killing of dogs.

(a) No person shall perform a cruel act on any dog; nor shall any person harm, maim, or kill any dog, or attempt to do so, except that a person may:

(1) Defend his or her person or property, or the person or property of another, from injury or damage being caused by a dog; or

(2) Kill any dog causing injury or damage to any livestock, poultry, or pet animal.

(b) The method used for killing the dog shall be designed to be as humane as is possible under the circumstances. A person who humanely kills a dog under the circumstances indicated in subsection (a) of this Code section shall incur no liability for such death.

(c) This Code section shall not be construed to limit in any way the authority or duty of any law enforcement officer, dog or rabies control officer, humane society, or veterinarian.

## History

Ga. L. 1969, p. 831, § 5; Ga. L. 2012, p. 1290, § 3/HB 685.

## Cross References

Destroying or injuring police dog, § 16-11-107. Cruelty to animals generally, § 16-12-4. Duty of conservation rangers to kill dogs pursuing or killing deer, § 27-3-49.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2012, p. 1290, § 6/HB 685, not codified by the General Assembly, provides, in part, that the amendment of this Code section shall apply to proceedings for the classification and registration of dogs which are pending on July 1, 2012, as well as to such proceedings which arise on or after July 1, 2012.

## Law Reviews

For article on the 2012 amendment of this Code section, see 29 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 180 (2012).

## Other Notes

The 2012 amendment, effective July 1, 2012, inserted ‘‘or her’’ in paragraph (a)(1) and substituted ‘‘livestock, poultry, or pet animal’’ for ‘‘livestock or poultry’’ in paragraph (a)(2). See the editor’s note for applicability.