In the event a vicious animal bites a human, and the owners cannot provide proof of rabies vaccination, at the discretion of Animal Control, with cooperation from DHEC, an order shall be issued to euthanize the animal and immediately ship the head to the DHEC lab for scientific determination with regard to whether the animal is rabid.
(A) After any animal has been quarantined pursuant to South Carolina Rabies Control Act, is unclaimed by its owner, and the Animal Shelter employees have made a good faith effort to contact the identified owner as required by S.C. Code § 47-3-540, may dispose of the animal by adoption or by euthanasia or the animal may be turned over to any organization established and utilized by the town for the purpose of caring for animals, such as the Humane Society.
(B) Notwithstanding division (C), a litter of unidentifiable dogs or cats six months of age or younger may be turned over to any organization established for the purpose of caring for animals immediately, so long as the litter is turned over for life-saving purposes.
(C) After any animal has been impounded for five calendar days and is unclaimed by its owner, and after the Animal Shelter employees have made a good faith effort to contact the identified owner as required by S.C. Code § 47-3-540, the Animal Shelter employees may dispose of the animal by adoption or by euthanasia or the animal may be turned over to any organization established for the purpose of caring for animals.
(D) Complete records must be kept by shelter officials as to the disposition of all animals impounded.
(Ord. 63, passed 11-15-2022)