(a) Prohibition. No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any wild, dangerous or vicious animal as a pet, for display or exhibition purposes, without first obtaining a permit therefor.
(b) Permit applications. Permit applications must be submitted annually to the animal control office, or its designee(s), on a form approved by the animal control office, which shall state the name, address and telephone number of the applicant; and the breed, sex, color and age of the animals. The applications must be accompanied by a $50 application fee and a $10 fee for each animal. The fee will be paid annually each by July 1. No permit shall be granted unless the applicant provides satisfactory assurances that said animal(s) is not capable of being returned to its natural environment (in the case of wild animals); and will be provided with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, and humane care and treatment; and that the animal(s) will not be cruelly ill treated, tormented, overloaded, overworked or otherwise abused; and that adequate protective devices are provided to prevent it from escaping or injuring the public. The applicant shall further specify the duration, method, location and dimensions of any cages, pens or confinement area. Public or traveling exhibitions of wild or vicious animals shall be subject to random inspection of the premises and the animal(s) possessed, displayed or exhibited. The applicant shall further comply with S.C. Code § 47-3-760(E) prior to the issuance of the permit by the county. No permit shall be issued unless the applicant has complied with all state and federal regulations concerning the possession, display or exhibition of wild or vicious animals. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
(c) Denial or revocation of permit. The animal control office may decline to grant a permit or may revoke a permit if the annual fees are not paid by July 1, and in the opinion of the animal control officer, said animal(s) is capable of being returned to its natural environment (in the case of wild animals); or has not or will not be provided with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, and humane care and treatment; or that the animal(s) have been or will be cruelly ill treated, tormented, overloaded, overworked or otherwise abused; or that adequate protective devices are not provided to prevent it from escaping or injuring the public. Upon a determination that a permit should not be granted, all fees shall be returned and a written explanation for the denial shall be thereupon provided. Upon a determination that a permit shall be revoked, no fees shall be returned, but a written explanation for the revocation shall be provided. Any person aggrieved by this section may appeal to the County Administrator who, after due investigation, may modify, overturn or amend the determination of the animal control office. The County Administrator, with the consent of county council, may delegate this appeals review authority to such individuals, entities or organizations, other than the animal control office, which possesses the ability and willingness to handle such reviews. The determination of the Administrator or delegate shall be final.
(d) Temporary permits. The animal control office may issue a temporary permit, when appropriate, without a fee, for the keeping, care and protection of an infant animal native to this area, which has been deemed to be orphaned or displaced from its natural environment and is unsuitable for return to the wild, due to its age. An applicant may obtain said permit through verbal or telephonic communication, provided that a written application is submitted and physical examination of the animal by an animal control officer is conducted within 15 days. No permit shall be issued unless state and federal regulations have been fully complied with.
(e) Release of wild animals held under permit. The animal control office shall have the power to release or order the release of any infant wild animal kept under temporary permit and deemed capable of survival, and may take custody of any infant wild animal when the applicant is unable to properly care for and protect the animal.
(f) Euthanasia. No wild animal will be subject to euthanasia unless, through consultation and cooperation with state wildlife officials, it is determined to be the only humane alternative for said animal. The animal control office and shelter, in cooperation with state wildlife officials, shall exercise due diligence to return a wild animal to its natural environment or, if the animal is not suitable for return, then alternative and humane placement shall be diligently sought.
(g) Exclusions. An animal shelter, a publicly owned zoological park, veterinary hospital, public laboratory, publicly owned facility for education, a facility operated for scientific purposes, and all governmental entities shall be exempt from the requirements of this section. This section shall not apply to the possession of wild animals for motion picture filming where otherwise permitted by law, if reasonable precautions are taken for the safety of the public and welfare of the animal. This section shall not apply to persons raising members of Mustelidae species as a business for pelts.
(1976 Code, § 4-19) (Ord. 2130, § 7, passed 6-5-1990; Ord. 4099, § 3, passed 4-3-2007)