§ 8-43. Cruelty to animals.

(a)

Cruelty to animals. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully or maliciously strike, beat, abuse, intentionally run down with a vehicle, or cause or inflict unnecessary pain, injury, suffering or death to an animal through any act, omission or willful neglect, except that reasonable force may be used to defend his own person or property, or the person or property of another, from injury or damage being caused by a dog; or kill any dog causing injury or damage to any livestock, poultry, or pet animal as authorized by Georgia law, O.C.G.A. § 4-8-5. The term "willful neglect" means the intentional withholding of food and water required by an animal to prevent starvation or dehydration.

(b)

Poisoning. No person, except a licensed veterinarian for humanitarian purposes, shall intentionally administer poison to any animal or knowingly leave any poisonous substance of any kind or ground glass in any place with the intent to injure any animal. This provision is not applicable to licensed exterminators using poisons as part of a pest control program or the use of commercial insecticides and rodent baits used to control insects and wild rodents.

(c)

Investigation. The animal control officer shall investigate complaints pertaining to cruelty to animals. The animal control officer may request the assistance of the sheriff's department or the appropriate law enforcement officers of a participating municipality.

(d)

Necessary pain. In the case of activities where physical pain is necessarily caused, such as medical and scientific research, food processing, customary and normal veterinary and agricultural husbandry practices, pest elimination, and animal training and hunting, failure to employ the most humane method reasonably available shall constitute cruelty to animals and shall be unlawful.