Legislation

The world of Animal Welfare legislation is constantly evolving, both at the national and state levels.  The Animal Legal and Historical Center website provides up to date details about the ongoing efforts to protect animals in our communities.  

You can find here a link to a listing of South Carolina's statutes and laws relating to animal welfare, including provisions related to:

Rabies vaccinations

Dogs running at large

Animal Abandonment

"Abandonment" is defined as deserting, forsaking, or intending to give up absolutely an animal without securing another owner or without providing the necessities of life

Animal Cruelty

The term "animal" under this subchapter includes all living vertebrate creatures except homo sapiens (but see the exclusion section where fowl are specifically excluded).  Animal cruelty occurs when a person knowingly or intentionally overloads, overdrives, overworks, ill-treats any animal, deprives any animal of necessary sustenance or shelter, inflicts unnecessary pain or suffering upon any animal, or by omission or commission knowingly or intentionally causes these things to be done.  Such activities result in misdemeanors with possible imprisonment not exceeding sixty days and/or fines of $100 - $500 for a first offense; second convictions result in imprisonment not exceeding ninety days and/or a fine of up to $800.  A third or subsequent conviction results in imprisonment up to two years and/or  a fine not exceeding $2,000.  The statute also has a felony provision for the torture, tormenting, needless mutilation, cruel killing, or infliction of excessive or repeated unnecessary pain with imprisonment of 180 days to 5 years and by a fine of five thousand dollars.  This section does not apply to fowl, accepted animal husbandry practices of farm operations and the training of animals, the practice of veterinary medicine, agricultural practices, forestry and silvacultural practices, wildlife management practices, or activity authorized by Title 50. 

Animal Fighting and Baiting Act 

Under the Act, any person who owns an animal for the purpose of fighting or baiting, is a party to any fighting or baiting of any animal, or obtains the use of any structure for the purpose of fighting or baiting any animal is guilty of a felony and upon conviction must be punished by a fine of $5000 or 5 years imprisonment or both.  The section also provides for seizure and forfeiture of animals used in fighting operations.

South Carolina does not currently have laws regarding dog breeding. 

Source: Animal Legal and Historical Center