For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any premises designated by the Council for the purpose of impounding, caring for or destroying animals held under the terms of this chapter.
ANIMAL/LITTER CONTROL OFFICER. The person appointed to serve at the will of the Mayor, with the duties and powers described in this chapter.
ANIMALS. All mammals of the order carnivore, four months or more of age. This includes dogs, cats and other related carnivorous animals.
DANGEROUS ANIMALS.
1. For purposes of this chapter, if the following conditions exist in any situation, an animal shall be considered a
DANGEROUS ANIMAL within the meaning of this chapter when:
(a) Running at large off the premises of its owner;
(b) Its owner is not personally present to exercise control or management, or if present is not able to or fails to exercise control or management;
(c) It exhibits wildness, anger, fierceness or hostility by snarling and the baring of teeth, or the bristling of hair; and
(d) It has snapped at, or charged at or darted at in a threatening manner, or chased or attacked, or threatened to attack, any person, cattle, horse, hog, mule, goat, sheep or domestic fowl.
2. If all of the foregoing conditions exist in the same situation, the animal shall be considered a
DANGEROUS ANIMAL within the terms of this chapter even if the animal has identification of ownership and a rabies tag.
DISEASED ANIMAL. Any animal which is afflicted with a disease which may adversely affect the health of humans or another animal.
EUTHANIZE. To put to death in a humane manner.
FARMER. The owner or lessee of land used to produce an agricultural crop or to manage livestock for marketing.
IMPOUNDED or IMPOUNDMENT. The act of receiving into custody by enforcement officers of any animal for confinement within the animal shelter.
NUISANCE ANIMAL. An animal that does excessive, continuous or untimely barking; which molests passerby; habitually attacks other domesticated animals; trespasses upon school grounds or trespasses upon private property in such a manner as to damage the property.
OWNER. Any person who:
1. Has a right of property in an animal;
2. Keeps an animal or has it in care or acts as its custodian; or
3. Permits a pet or animal to remain on or about the premises owned or leased by that person.
RUNNING AT LARGE. Being off of property in possession of the owner of the animal and not under the physical control of the owner by means of a leash or other restraining device.
STRAY ANIMAL. An animal running at large which has no known owner, and no owner identification tag as required by this chapter.
UNDER RESTRAINT. An animal which is accompanied by its owner and under the physical control of the owner by means of a leash or other restraining device, or under the active control of the owner or trainer while hunting or being trained and while on property of the owner or with the property owner’s permission.
VICIOUS ANIMAL.
1. Any animal:
(a) Evidencing an abnormal inclination to attack persons or animals without provocation; or
(b) Having tendency to do any act that might endanger safety of persons and property of others in a given situation.
2. The owner of an animal is deemed to have knowledge of its vicious or dangerous disposition. An animal is not entitled to one bite.
(S.C. Code § 47-3-10) (Prior Code, § 3.101)