Animal Welfare and Enforcement works to enforce state and local laws and endeavors to protect the health and safety of Gwinnett’s residents and animals, so they can co-exist. The Gwinnett County Animal Control Ordinance, which is in compliance with the state of Georgia’s Responsible Dog Owners Act, includes information on cruelty, tethering, neglect, rabies, and much more.

Animal Welfare and Enforcement issues citations for situations in violation of the Gwinnett County Animal Control Ordinance. A warning is not required before issuing a citation; however, when possible, efforts are made to seek a resolution before court action occurs.

If your pet damages property or injures another animal or a human, you can be subject to criminal and/or civil legal action. If you receive a citation for violating a law, you may have to pay restitution and a court fine at the time of your hearing.

Residents may receive an orange card in notification of a complaint issued against the residence for a possible ordinance violation; call the Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center at 770.339.3200 during open hours for details of the complaint.

For those wanting to pay their citation fine prior to the court date, call the Recorder’s Court at 770.619.6100. If the citation specifies a city court, contact the city court for information.

For non-urgent situations such as nuance barking or lost pets, call the Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center at 770.339.3200 during open hours.

For urgent matters such as neglect, mistreatment, or if an animal is behaving in a way that is threatening to the welfare of the community, call 770.513.5700. Neighborhood assistance may be necessary to document ordinance violations if Animal Welfare and Enforcement did not witness the violation.

Occasionally, a resident may receive an orange warning card as notification of a potential Animal Control Ordinance violation or complaint. Whenever possible, opportunities are offered to correct a violation before court action occurs.

Pet owners can be subject to criminal and/or civil legal action if their pet damages property or injures another animal or a human.

Dial 911 for any serious animal bite incidents or incidents involving potentially rabid animals, so a report can be filed.

The owners of animals involved in bite cases are required to quarantine their pet at a veterinarian, animal hospital, or approved boarding facility for 10 days from the date of the bite as required by Gwinnett County Animal Control Ordinance.

In bite report cases, the victim and animal owner will be notified of the conclusion of the mandatory quarantine period and/or the results of rabies testing. Potentially rabid or vicious animals are not available for adoption.