(A) Acts of agents imputed to corporations. The knowledge and acts of agents and persons employed by corporations in regard to animal transported, owned or employed by or in the custody of the corporations shall be held to be the acts and knowledge of the corporations. (See S.C. Code § 47-1-20)
(B) Ill-treatment of animal generally. Whoever 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, for every offense is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(C) Abandonment of animals.
(1) A person may not abandon an animal. As used in this section 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. Necessities of life includes adequate water, adequate food, and adequate shelter, as defined in § 55.01.
(2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished for each offense in the manner prescribed in § 55.99. (See S.C. Code § 47-1-70)
(D) If an animal is found to be obviously abandoned by the owner or keeper, an animal control officer may impound that animal.
(E) No person shall cause, instigate, attend or permit any dog fight, cockfight, or other combat between animals or between animals and humans.
(F) Poisoning animals. No person shall intentionally place any known poisonous substance, whether mixed with food or not, in a place where an animal may eat the poisonous substance. However, it shall not be unlawful for a person to place poison on his or her property for the purpose of pest or vermin control.
(G) In a case of abandonment or maltreatment, an animal control officer may determine that removal of an animal is required to prevent further suffering or ill-treatment. In such case, an animal control officer may petition a magistrate as allowed under S.C. Code § 47-1-150(C) for an order allowing Animal Control to lawfully take custody of the animal or an order requiring the owner to provide certain care for the animal at the owner’s expense. An animal control officer applying for an order must comply with all evidentiary, notice, and hearing requirements described in S.C. Code § 47-1-150.
(H) Immunity from civil and criminal liability. Any person, including a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine, or an animal control officer or agent of the South Carolina Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or any society incorporated for that purpose, who in good faith and without compensation for services provided, acting without malice, recklessness, or gross negligence, renders emergency care or treatment to a domestic animal which is abandoned, ill, injured, or in distress related to an accident or disaster shall not be liable or subject to any civil or criminal liability for any injuries or harm to the animal resulting from the rendering of such care or treatment, or any act or failure to act to provide or arrange for further medical treatment or care for the animal. (See S.C. Code § 47-1-75)
(Ord. 1009, passed 2-2-09; Am. Ord. 2412, passed 10-15-12; Am. Ord. 3519, passed 9-3-19) Penalty, see § 55.99