Received 27 July on Shouldn’t the people running the facilities … be held accountable? -jsq

I guess this answered my question,

What is the legal definition of animal cruelty in Georgia?

-Susan Leavens

She quoted the whole thing, which is quite long. I found this passage particularly interesting. -jsq

Local law enforcement (municipal or county police department or county sheriff’s department) enforces the criminal provisions of Cruelty to Animals, O.C.G.A. §16-12-4.

The next comment contained the clarification below. -jsq

Susan, that information you posted above is correct — with the exception of who to contact to report allegations of neglect and/or cruelty involving companion animals.

That information appears to be from the Ga. Dept of Agriculture Animal Protection Division’s website — and that part is not accurate.

Neglect and cruelty are criminal offenses in Georgia. The Ga. Ag. Animal Protection Division is a state REGULATORY office – they are not a law enforcement office nor criminal investigative agency. They can’t arrest people nor file criminal charges against licensees or unlicensed persons.

Animal cruelty and neglect allegations should be reported to the local county law enforcement or county Animal Control for criminal investigation, and/or the filing of criminal charges.

-An Outsider Looking In

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