For the purpose of putting a speedy end to the suffering of hopelessly diseased and disabled animals, any person finding any abandoned domestic animal which is diseased or injured past recovery may apply to any magistrate of the county, who may summarily decide whether such animal should be destroyed, after giving notice to the owner, if known, whenever such notice can be given without defeating the object of this Code section. The order authorizing the destruction of such animal shall not defeat the owner's claim for damages against the person destroying or procuring the destruction of such animal.
(Ga. L. 1878-79, p. 183, § 2; Code 1882, § 4612(b); Civil Code 1895, § 1755; Civil Code 1910, § 2014; Code 1933, § 62-211; Ga. L. 1983, p. 884, § 4-1.)
RESEARCH REFERENCES
Am. Jur. 2d.
- 4 Am. Jur. 2d, Animals, § 39 et seq.
Justifiable Destruction of Animal, 37 POF2d 711.
C.J.S.- 3B C.J.S., Animals, § 244 et seq.
ALR.
- Constitutionality of statute or ordinance providing for destruction of animals, 8 A.L.R. 67; 56 A.L.R.2d 1024.
Constitutionality of "dog laws," 49 A.L.R. 847.
Right to and measure of compensation for animals or trees destroyed to prevent spread of disease or infection, 67 A.L.R. 208.
Validity of statute or ordinance providing for destruction of dogs, 56 A.L.R.2d 1024.
Measure, elements, and amount of damages for killing or injuring cat, 8 A.L.R.4th 1287.
Construction of provisions of statute or ordinance governing occasion, time, or manner of summary destruction of domestic animals by public authorities, 42 A.L.R.4th 839.