Georgia’s dog bite statute
Georgia doesn’t make owners automatically liable for every bite. Here is what the law requires.
Last updated: October 6, 2026
The rule
An owner or keeper of a vicious or dangerous animal who, by careless management or by letting it go at liberty, causes injury to someone who did not provoke it may be liable.
Proving the dog was dangerous
- Leash laws: if a city or county ordinance required the dog to be on a leash or at heel and it wasn’t, that can show vicious propensity.
- Prior incidents: earlier bites or attacks the owner knew about.
- Dangerous-dog classification under the state Responsible Dog Ownership Law.
If the county has a leash ordinance and the dog was running free, the jogger can use the ordinance to show vicious propensity, without proving an earlier bite.
Illustration only, with made-up facts. Your case depends on its own facts.
Insurance
Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. Some policies exclude certain breeds or prior biters, so the policy should be checked early.
Questions
What if I provoked the dog?
Provocation is a defense under the statute. Teasing or hitting the dog can bar recovery.
How long do I have?
Generally two years for the injury claim.
The dog belongs to a tenant. Is the landlord responsible?
Usually only in limited situations. It depends on what the landlord knew and controlled.
Official sources
Look up each section in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (free public access). Laws change; always read the current text.
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