4-8-6.1. Removal of certain collars from dogs; restitution; exemption.

For the purposes of this Code section, the term ‘‘collar’’ means any electronic or radio transmitting collar that has the purpose of tracking the location of a dog.#

No person shall remove a collar from a dog without permission from the dog’s owner with the intention of preventing or hindering the owner from locating such dog, and if such dog is lost or killed as a result of the violator’s removal of such collar, the violator shall be required to pay the dog’s owner restitution in the amount of the actual value of the dog and any associated veterinary expenses.#

This Code section shall not apply to an owner or lessee of real property who removes a collar from a dog caught on his or her owned or leased property while such dog remains on such property if such owner or lessee gives notice of such action within 24 hours to the county or municipal law enforcement agency having territorial jurisdiction.#