For the purpose of this article:
(1) "Animal" is defined as provided for in Chapter 1.
(2) "Animal shelter" includes any premises designated by the county or municipal governing body for the purpose of impounding, care, adoption, or euthanasia of dogs and cats held under authority of this article.
(3) "Dog" includes all members of the canine family, including foxes and other canines.
(a) A dog is deemed to be "running at large" if off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under the physical control of the owner or keeper by means of a leash or other similar restraining device.
(b) A dog is deemed to be "under restraint" if on the premises of its owner or keeper or if accompanied by its owner or keeper and under the physical control of the owner or keeper by means of a leash or other similar restraining device.
(4) "Cat" includes all members of the feline family.
(5) "Litter" means multiple offspring that are born at one time from the same mother.
(6) "Vicious dog" means any dog evidencing an abnormal inclination to attack persons or animals without provocation.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-145.1; 1972 (57) 2733; 2000 Act No. 293, Section 1, eff May 19, 2000; 2019 Act No. 43 (S.105), Section 2, eff May 16, 2019.
Editor's Note
2019 Act No. 43, Section 10, provides as follows:
"SECTION 10. The General Assembly finds it is the best practice for a shelter, public or private, to prepare and maintain records documenting the number of animals admitted to the facility and the method by which those animals exit the facility, whether by adoption, fostering, natural death, euthanasia, transfer to another state, or other means of discharge."
Effect of Amendment
2019 Act No. 43, Section 2, redesignated (4) and (5) as (3)(a) and (b), respectively; redesignated (6) as (4); inserted (5), relating to the definition of "Litter"; redesignated (7) as (6); and made nonsubstantive changes.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry
Chapter 3 - Dogs And Other Domestic Pets
Section 47-3-20. Local animal care and control ordinances authorized.
Section 47-3-30. Establishment of animal shelters; funding.
Section 47-3-40. Impoundment or quarantine of cat or dog running at large; release to owner.
Section 47-3-50. Allowing dogs or cats to run at large; penalty.
Section 47-3-60. Disposition of quarantined or impounded animals.
Section 47-3-70. County and municipal powers not limited by article.
Section 47-3-110. Liability for attacks by dogs, provoked attacks, trained law enforcement dogs.
Section 47-3-210. Buying, selling, receiving, or keeping sheep-killing dog prohibited.
Section 47-3-220. Dog found in act of worrying or destroying sheep may be killed.
Section 47-3-310. Disposal or removal of feral dogs from certain property.
Section 47-3-320. Training of conservation officers to remove dogs; liability of officers.
Section 47-3-410. Animal shelter defined.
Section 47-3-420. Methods of euthanasia.
Section 47-3-430. Provision governing shelters.
Section 47-3-440. Penalties; injunction.
Section 47-3-470. Definitions.
Section 47-3-490. Failure to comply; remedies.
Section 47-3-500. Adoption of additional policies by other entities.
Section 47-3-510. Owner may register dog; fee.
Section 47-3-520. Availability of registration file.
Section 47-3-530. Penalties for stealing or killing identifiable dog.
Section 47-3-550. Promulgation of regulations.
Section 47-3-710. Definitions.
Section 47-3-730. Dangerous animal not permitted beyond premises unless safely restrained.
Section 47-3-750. Seizure and impoundment of dangerous animal.
Section 47-3-760. Penalties; registration of dangerous animals.
Section 47-3-910. Short title.
Section 47-3-920. Definitions.
Section 47-3-930. Interference with use of a guide dog or service animal; misdemeanor.
Section 47-3-940. Injury, disability, or death; reckless disregard; penalties.
Section 47-3-950. Unauthorized control over guide dog or service animal; penalties.
Section 47-3-960. Intentional injury, disability, or death; penalties.
Section 47-3-970. Restitution.
Section 47-3-980. Intentional misrepresentation of animal as service animal; penalties.