DeKalb County Animal Services and Enforcement is divided into six "territories" with one unit per area. These units provide 16-hour, five day per week coverage of the County. Weekend coverage is limited to emergencies only due to staffing. These units provide service to more than 269 square miles and serves more than 665,000 residents.

Each animal control officer is equipped with a hand-held, extended-range radio to allow them to be in constant communication with dispatch. This contact facilitates the routing of calls, communication of current licensing and vaccination information, the reporting of actual or potential problem situations requesting specialized equipment, such as large animal trailers, etc., and the field return to owners of licensed stray pets. The field staff enforces all state, county and municipal laws regarding the care and control of domestic animals.
Animal Services and Enforcement is responsible for the:

	Impound of stray dogs, cats and other animals, including livestock. Enforcement of the leash law that forbids dogs from running at large. Investigation of cases of suspected animal abuse and neglect and the impoundment of animals seized in such cases. Assisting local law enforcement agencies in raids to end illegal dog and cock fighting activities and any other call involving an animal, and provide support services for the Police, Marshall's, and Sheriff's Departments. Impound dangerous or vicious dogs and testify in hearings on their disposition. Respond to special animal control problems caused by natural disasters, such as fires, floods and earthquakes. Investigate complaints relating to excessive animal noise, including barking dogs and crowing fowl.

We accept owner surrendered animals at the Center based on space availability during regular business hours, excluding Mondays.  Please be aware that we may not be able to find a new home for your pet.  Owner surrendered animals will be screened immediately upon entry into the Center and a decision will be made about adoptability.  If we deem the animal unadoptable based on our criteria and space availability, your pet may be euthanized within hours of arrival at the Center.  Owners needing to surrender aggressive, sick or elderly animals need to take them to their veterinarian to have them euthanized.  These are not adoptable pets and it is the responsibility of the owner to have their pet humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.

Animal Services and Enforcement enforces one section of the Noise Ordinance. The ordinance Section 16- 46(5) specifically outlines the method by which this ordinance is enforced. The complainant must make an attempt to notify the animal owner that there is a problem. This contact must be in the form of a registered letter, return receipt requested. A copy of the letter should be submitted to Animal Services and Enforcement at our mailing address or in person. The letter must specifically state that the animal is in violation and that the owner has three days to correct the problem or legal action will be initiated. Following the three day period, if the problem still exists, contact animal control. An officer will respond to issue the owner a court summons and the complainant a subpoena to appear in court. The judge will make a decision based on evidence presented by the complainant.

If you have an ongoing nuisance wildlife or domestic animal problem, a Trap Request Form is available for download only and requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader (free). Please print and complete the form and forward with the correct funds to DeKalb County Animal Services and Enforcement at 845 Camp Road Decatur, GA 30032.

The Constitution gives certain rights to every citizen of the United States. One of these rights is protection from an illegal search or illegal seizure by a governmental agency. Based on this, Animal Services and Enforcement cannot respond to anonymous complaints. We must have a complainant who is willing to go to court and testify before we can enter a person's property to investigate a complaint, unless the officer can see a violation from public property or from another person's property with permission from the property owner. If you truly want to help an abused animal, be prepared to go to court.