Section 4-11-9.1. Quarantine of animal, premises, or any area by Commissioner

   (a) In the control, suppression, prevention, and eradication of animal diseases, the Commissioner or any duly authorized representative acting under his authority is authorized and required to quarantine an animal, premises, or any area when he shall determine that animals in such place or places are infected with a contagious or infectious disease, that the unsanitary condition of such place or places might cause the spread of such disease, that the animal has or has been exposed to any contagious or infectious disease, or that the owner or occupant of such place or places is not observing sanitary practices prescribed under the authority of this article or any other law of this state.

(b) The Commissioner or his duly authorized representative is authorized to issue and enforce written or printed stop sale, stop use, or stop movement orders to the owners or custodians of any animals, ordering them to hold such animals at a designated place, when the Commissioner or his duly authorized representative finds such animals:

   (1) To be infected with or to have been exposed to any contagious or infectious disease;

   (2) To be held by a person who is required to be licensed under this article and whose license has expired;

   (3) To be held by a person who is required to be licensed under this article and who has failed to obtain a license within ten days of the date on which written notice of need to obtain a license was given to such person by the Commissioner or his authorized representative; or

   (4) To have been held in violation of this article,

until the law has been complied with and such animals have been released, in writing, by the Commissioner or the violations have been otherwise legally disposed of by written authority.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, use, or move any animal in violation of any quarantine or stop sale, stop use, or stop removal order issued under this Code section.

Code 1981, § 4-11-9.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1990, p. 1650, § 3.