Section 4-11-31. Definitions

   As used in this article, the term:

   (1) "Actor" means a person accused of any of the offenses defined in Code Section 4-11-32.

   (2) "Animal" means any warm or cold-blooded animal or insect which is being used in food or fiber production, agriculture, research, testing, or education, including, but not limited to, hogs, equines, mules, cattle, sheep, ratites, goats, dogs, rabbits, poultry, fish, and bees. The term "animal" shall not include any animal held primarily as a pet.

   (3) "Animal facility" includes any vehicle, building, structure, pasture, paddock, pond, impoundment, or premises where an animal is kept, handled, housed, exhibited, bred, or offered for sale and any office, building, or structure where records or documents relating to an animal or to animal research, testing, production, or education are maintained.

   (4) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Agriculture.

   (5) "Consent" means assent in fact, whether express or implied, by the owner or by a person legally authorized to act for the owner which is not:

      (A) Induced by force, threat, false pretenses, or fraud;

      (B) Given by a person the actor knows, or should have known, is not legally authorized to act for the owner;

      (C) Given by a person who by reason of youth, mental disease or defect, or intoxication is known, or should have been known, by the actor to be unable to make reasonable decisions; or

      (D) Given solely to detect the commission of an offense.

   (5.1) "Crop" shall mean any crops as defined in Code Section 1-3-3.

   (5.2) "Crop facility" means any field, building, greenhouse, structure, or premises where crops are grown or offered for sale and any office, building, or structure where records, documents, or electronic data relating to crops or crop research, testing, production, or education are maintained.

   (6) "Deprive" means unlawfully to withhold from the owner, interfere with the possession of, free, or dispose of an animal or other property.

   (7) "Owner" means a person who has title to the property, lawful possession of the property, or a greater right to possession of the property than the actor.

   (8) "Person" means any individual, corporation, association, nonprofit corporation, joint-stock company, firm, trust, partnership, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or other legal entity.

   (9) "Possession" means actual care, custody, control, or management.

   (10) "Property" means any real or personal property and shall include any document, record, research data, paper, or computer storage medium.

   (11) "State" means the State of Georgia.

Code 1981, § 4-11-31, enacted by Ga. L. 1990, p. 328, § 1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 244, § 9; Ga. L. 2001, p. 888, § 2.