Georgia Dog Bite Laws

Georgia’s dog bite statute, Ga. Code § 51-2-7, imposes liability on dog owners under two specific circumstances. First, a dog owner may be liable if they did not have their dog leashed or otherwise under their control despite a requirement (typically, under a local ordinance) to do so. Second, an owner can be held liable for injuries resulting from a dog bite if they knew that their dog was “vicious or dangerous.” The victim of a dog bite can prove that a dog was “vicious or dangerous” by showing that the dog was aggressive or had a tendency to bite, and that the owner carelessly managed the dog despite knowing of this aggression or tendency. This generally means that the owner was in public with their dog, the dog had no a leash or muzzle, and the dog proceeded to bite a person. Additionally, there are two main defenses for owners in Georgia to limit or shield themselves from liability. The owner is unlikely to be found liable if the victim either provoked the dog or was trespassing at the time of the bite.