Rule 40-13-16-.01. Definitions

1. (1) "Department" means the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
2. (2) "Fund" means the Local Government Companion Animal Trust Fund.

3. (3) "Qualified Expenses" means direct costs, including but not limited to the cost of transportation, veterinary care, and temporary boarding, reasonably and appropriately incurred by a Qualified Local Government due to:

   1. (a) A Qualified Impoundment; or

   2. (b) Qualified Provision of Care.

      No expense related to the impoundment of or provision of care to livestock, as defined in O.C.G.A. § 4-3-2(1), will constitute a Qualified Expense.

4. (4) "Qualified Impoundment" means the physical seizure, by an animal control officer who is an employee of state or local government or any law enforcement officer, due to an investigation into a violation of O.C.G.A. §§ 4-11-9.2, 16-12-4, or 16-12-37, of either:

   1. (a) More than 29 dogs or cats; or
   2. (b) More than 9 equines.
5. (5) "Qualified Local Government" means as defined in O.C.G.A. § 50-8-2(18).
6. (6) "Qualified Provision of Care" means provision of care for more than 29 dogs or cats, or more than 9 equines, impounded pursuant to the Georgia Animal Protection Act, O.C.G.A. § 4-11-1, et seq., or a local ordinance, and subsequently cared for by a Qualified Local Government.
7. (7) "Statutory Period" means the period beginning on July 1, 2021, and ending on June 30, 2031, or as otherwise provided in O.C.G.A. § 4-11-3(c.1)(1)(A).

Authority: O.C.G.A. § 4-11-3.

History. Original Rule entitled "Definitions" adopted. F. Apr. 25, 2022; eff. May 15, 2022.