This Alto, Georgia hoarding ordinance makes it a crime to collect animals while failing to provide them with humane/adequate care; to collect dead animals that are not properly disposed of; and to collect, house, or harbor animals in filthy, unsanitary conditions that constitute a health hazard to the animals being kept, and/or to the animals or residents of adjacent property. A person found guilty of hoarding animals may not own, possess, or have on his or her premises in Alto any animal for one year from the date of conviction. Additionally, a person may also face fines not to exceed $1,000 or may also face imprisonment not to exceed 6 months or both.
Sec. 6-2. - Definitions
Sec. 6-16. - Hoarding of animals.
Sec. 6-40. - Limitation on ownership.
Sec. 6-41. - Violations; penalties.
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Animal means any and all types of animals, domesticated and wild, male and female, singular and plural.
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Hoarder means a person or entity that:
(a) Collects animals and fails to provide them with humane/adequate care;
(b) Collects dead animals that are not properly disposed of as required by this article; or
(c) Collects, houses, or harbors animals in filthy, unsanitary conditions that constitute a health hazard to the animals being kept, and/or to the animals or residents of adjacent property.
Sec. 6-16. - Hoarding of animals.
It shall be unlawful for any person to collect animals and fail to provide them with humane/adequate care, collect dead animals that are not properly disposed of as required by this article, or collect, house, or harbor animals in filthy, unsanitary conditions that constitute a health hazard to the animals being kept, and/or to the animals or residents of adjacent property.
(Ord. of 5-11-2010)
Sec. 6-40. - Limitation on ownership.
(a) Any person who has been convicted of cruelty, neglect, abandonment or hoarding of an animal as provided in this Code or has been required to or voluntarily relinquish ownership of such animal, may not own, possess, or have on his premises in Alto any animal for one year from the date of conviction. A nolo contendere plea is considered a conviction for the purpose of this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the court from imposing a greater length of time.
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(Ord. of 5-11-2010)
Sec. 6-41. - Violations; penalties.
(a) Any person violating this article may be issued a citation and summons to appear before a court of competent jurisdiction, and the offending animal may be immediately impounded by the animal control unit pending disposition of the citation by the court. Any person violating this article, may be deemed guilty of violating a town ordinance, and may be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 and by imprisonment in the common jail of the town not to exceed six months, or both fine and imprisonment, in addition to the more stringent penalties that are provided for under state law for violations of this article.
(b) Each act or omission in violation of this article shall constitute a separate offense. Each day that such violation continues to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
(c) In addition to any other penalties allowed by law, the court, as part of any sentence, may do a combination of any of the following:
(1) Prohibit the offender from owning, possessing, or having on the offender's premises in Alto any animal during the term of the sentence;
(2) Order that the animal be removed from the town;
(3) Order that the animal be surrendered to the county animal control facility;
(4) Order that the animal be humanely euthanized;
(5) Order restitution.
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(m) Penalties provided for herein are in addition to those provided for under state law.
(Ord. of 5-11-2010)