{"id":372686,"date":"2017-09-01T12:27:19","date_gmt":"2017-09-01T17:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/atlanta-dog-bites-the-basics.html"},"modified":"2017-09-01T12:29:10","modified_gmt":"2017-09-01T17:29:10","slug":"atlanta-dog-bites-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/atlanta-dog-bites-the-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Dog Bites: The Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Atlanta Dog Bites: The Basics<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

It’s the holidays, and your in-laws from out of state demand a homemade peach cobbler. But you’re not crazy enough to go to Publix this week. You head to each of your neighbors’ houses to borrow a cup of this and a teeny bit of that. Ms. Johnson’s rat terrier didn’t like the way you knocked, so he took a bite of your ankle, hurting you pretty bad. You limp home, and your brother-in-law thinks he’s funny when he yells: "I said ‘cobbler,’ not ‘hobbler.’" Now what?<\/p>\n

Many of the laws relating to dog bites are available online. Check out Title 51, Chapter 2 of the Official Code of Georgia for the section on dog bites. However, this article puts it all together for you, clarifying the meaning.<\/p>\n

Choosing a Theory<\/h2>\n

Atlanta’s dog bite laws have several nuances. Your chances of winning a favorable judgment or settlement will depend on your theory of liability: strict liability<\/a> or negligence<\/a>. Strict liability can provide an injured party with a judgment without first finding another party at fault. A negligence theory requires the injured party to show that a dog’s owner was not careful enough, and that their lack of care caused the harm. You may want to talk to an attorney before you rush off to court. It could increase your chances of receiving compensation.<\/p>\n

Strict Liability in Some Cases<\/h2>\n

Atlanta’s dog owners are strictly liable for their dogs’ bites only in two kinds of cases. In the first type, the dog must first be shown to be a "vicious or dangerous animal." In the other type of case, an owner is strictly liable if the dog was legally required to be on a leash, but went unrestrained. If these scenarios don’t fit your case, then you may have a more typical negligence and personal injury case not covered by the state’s dog bite law. See FindLaw’s resources for personal injury law in Atlanta<\/a> for more information on how that would work.<\/p>\n

Vicious Animal Theory<\/h2>\n

If a vicious or dangerous dog harms a person, the owner may be strictly liable.<\/p>\n

Georgia’s Code gives counties and cities the authority to regulate animal behavior and determine whether a dog is "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous." Atlanta’s Code of Ordinances<\/a> states that a dangerous dog is one that has either:<\/p>\n