Animal Control

Generally, violations of the Madison County Ordinances do not occur when an officer is present. Complainants for Section 2, Duty of Owner to Keep Animals Under Restraint, must be willing to identify the animal’s owner and testify in court if necessary. For Madison County Animal Control to successfully respond to your needs and prosecute Section 2 of the ordinance, the Animal Control Officer must physically see the animal in violation of the ordinance, or have a witness to present evidence of the violation to the Magistrate Court Judge.

Madison County Animal Control will verify current rabies vaccinations on all animals when responding to complaints. Rabies is a very dangerous disease and a current vaccination on all domestic dogs and cats is the key to preventing the spread of this disease. 

Rabies Control phone number: 706-795-2682

For more detailed information on rabies.

It shall be the duty of any person bitten by any animal reasonably suspected of being rabid immediately to notify the County Board of Health. It shall be the duty of the owner, custodian, or person having possession and knowledge of any animal which has bitten any person or animal or of any animal which exhibits any signs of rabies to notify the County Board of Health and to confine such animal in accordance with rules and regulations of the County Board of Health.  

Madison County Board of Health phone number 706-795-2131. 

Any person that suffers an animal bite that is severe, immediately dial 911.

Contact the Humane Society of the United States for information on reporting cruelty and illegal dog fighting. A toll-free line has been established to report dog fighting.  Norred & Associates will operate the hotline, evaluate the tips called into the hotline and forward them to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  The hotline number is 877-TIP-HSUS (847-4787)

According to Georgia Law Code Title 4 - Animals Chapter 8 - Dogs Article 1, "No person shall perform a cruel act on any dog; nor shall any person harm, maim, or kill any dog, or attempt to do so." 

In the law, there are exceptions: 

• One Exception says a person may "defend his or her 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.

Stray animals are held for 3 days in our facility and then are either transferred to Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter, or other rescues in the area.

M.O.A.S. phone number 706-795-2868

“Prevent a Litter, Spay or Neuter Your Critter”