Does a dog owner have to post notice of dog on his/her property?

Georgia Statute § 4-8-27 outlines the rules that owners of dangerous or vicious dogs must abide by, those being, along with registering their pet with the state, owners must also post notice of dog (dangerous dog) signs warning others of the dog's presence on their property.

However, this rule only extends to dogs classified as dangerous or vicious. If a dog is not classified as such, the owner does not have the legal liability to warn others of their dog's presence on the property and it will be difficult to prove dog bite liability.

Defining a "Dangerous" or "Vicious" Dog

The Georgia statutes define a dangerous dog as one that has done one of the following.

The dog has caused a substantial puncture of a human's skin by their teeth, resulting in not a serious injury but more than a minor nip or scratch.
The dog aggressively attacks in a way that causes a person to believe that the dog poses an imminent threat to their safety or the safety of others, even if no such attack occurs.
The dog, while off their owner's property, kills a pet animal, unless the dog is working in the capacity of a hunting, herding, or predator control dog.

A vicious dog is considered to be a dog that has inflicted serious injury upon a person who reasonably attempted to escape from the dog's attack.

When In Doubt, Ask the Owner about the Presence of Dogs

After a dog bite, you have a right to file for damages related to your injuries. The Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, P.C. is here to help Georgia residents recover from dog attacks. Contact the office today to schedule an appointment for a FREE consultation regarding your legal options after a dangerous dog attack, 404-474-0804.

Jason R. Schultz

Helping Georgia area residents with car accident, medical malpractice, and personal injury claims since 1991.

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