§ 8-76. Disposal of dead animals.

(a)

The owner of an animal which has died or has been killed shall dispose of the animal as provided for in this section:

(1)

The disposal of dead animals must be completed within 12 hours after the death or discovery of the carcass unless the carcass is properly refrigerated or frozen.

(2)

Dead animals shall not be abandoned in wells, open pits, or surface waters of any kind on private or public land.

(3)

Dead animals which are buried must be buried at least three feet below the ground level, but no more than eight feet, and have not less than three feet of earth over the carcass. Dead animals shall not be disposed on the land of another without the permission of the owner of the land.

(4)

Arrangements for burial in a county landfill must be made with a county official.

(5)

Dead animals shall be incinerated only in a county approved incinerator and the entire carcass must be reduced to ashes in the incineration process.

(6)

Mutilation of dead domestic animals is prohibited.

(b)

Any other provision of this section to the contrary notwithstanding, it shall be the duty of the county road department to remove and dispose of the carcasses of all dead animals found within the rights-of-way of all county roads maintained either totally or in part from county funds.

(c)

As used in this section, the term "dead animals" means the carcasses, parts of carcasses, fetuses, embryos, effluent, or blood of livestock, including, without limitation, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, ratites, equine, and alternative livestock; pet animals associated with pet dealers, kennels, animal shelters, or bird dealers licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture; animals processed by commercial facilities which process animals for human consumption; and animals associated with wildlife exhibitions.

(Ord. No. 16-008 , 12-19-2016)