A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 47-1-45 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE TETHERING, FASTENING, CHAINING, TYING, OR RESTRAINING A DOG TO A STATIONARY OBJECT FOR MORE THAN THREE HOURS A DAY OR FOR MORE THAN SIX HOURS A DAY ON A TROLLEY SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE CLASS I MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL PENALTIES; AND TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY ORDINANCE TO VARY THESE REGULATIONS. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 47 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding: "Section 47-1-45. (A) It is unlawful to knowingly or intentionally confine or restrain an animal in a cruel manner or knowingly or intentionally cause such cruel confinement or restraining of an animal. (B) For purposes of this section: (1) 'Confine an animal in a cruel manner' or 'cruel confinement of an animal' means confining an animal by means of a pen or similar confinement under circumstances in which the person intends to endanger the animal's health or safety, or the person reasonably should have known would endanger the animal's health or safety. 'Confine an animal in a cruel manner' or 'cruel confinement of an animal' includes, but is not limited to, a confinement that: (a) confines an animal for such an unreasonable period of time that the animal's health or safety is endangered; (b) does not permit an animal to stand, turn around, sit, and lie down in a normal position; (c) causes bodily injury to an animal; (d) does not permit an animal access to sustenance; (e) does not permit proper ventilation for an animal; or (f) is not kept in a sanitary condition. (2) 'Restrain an animal in a cruel manner' or 'cruel restraining of an animal' means tethering, fastening, chaining, tying, attaching, or otherwise restraining an animal to a tree, fence, post, or other stationary object or a running line, pulley, cable trolley system, or similar system by means of a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or similar restraint under circumstances in which the person intends to endanger the animal's health or safety, or the person reasonably should have known would endanger the animal's health or safety. 'Restrain an animal in a cruel manner' or 'cruel restraining of an animal' includes, but is not limited to, a restraint that: (a) restricts an animal's movement for such an unreasonable period of time that the animal's health or safety is endangered; (b) is of a weight that excessively burdens an animal; (c) causes an animal to choke or causes bodily injury to an animal; (d) is too short for an animal to move around or for an animal to urinate or defecate in a separate area from the area where the animal must eat, drink, or lie down; (e) is situated such that an animal will likely become entangled; (f) does not permit an animal access to sustenance and shelter; (g) does not permit an animal to escape reasonably foreseeable harm; (h) is attached to an animal by means of a collar, harness, or similar device that is not properly fitted for the age and size of the animal such that the collar, harness, or similar device causes trauma or injury to the animal; or (i) is attached to an unsupervised animal by means of a choke-type or pronged collar. (C) A person who knowingly or intentionally violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by imprisonment not exceeding sixty days or by a fine not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or both, for a first offense; by imprisonment not exceeding ninety days or by a fine not exceeding eight hundred dollars, or both, for a second offense; or by imprisonment not exceeding two years or by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, or both, for a third or subsequent offense. A person may be issued a correction warning in lieu of an infraction requiring the person to correct the cruel confinement or restraining of an animal within seventy-two hours unless the violation endangers the health or safety of the animal, the animal has been wounded as a result of the violation, or a correction warning has previously been issued to the person. (D) This section does not apply to fowl, accepted animal husbandry practices of farm operations and the training of animals, animal exhibitions or shows, pet shops, the practice of veterinary medicine, agricultural practices, forestry and silvacultural practices, wildlife management practices, and to activities, exhibitions, transportation, and other events related to activities authorized by Title 50. (E) Nothing in this section prohibits local governments from adopting more stringent local ordinances governing the confinement or restraining of an animal; however, a local government may assess only civil penalties for such ordinances." SECTION 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 2008.
Licensing: no; leash law: yes Photo by Jenny Hartley ? Senior Reporter
Summer Kingery, a member of the Lancaster County Humane Society, has been looking after Karma, a dog who suffered a serious wound to his neck when his collar became embedded in his skin. He's now recovering and his prognosis is good.
By Jenny Hartley-Senior Reporter Karma isn't shy with the kisses – he doles them out wherever he goes.
The probable Labrador retriever, about 2 years old, is staying with Indian Land residents Summer Kingery and Ken Hedges now. Kingery is an active member of the Humane Society of Lancaster County and trained in animal behavior.
Karma was mentioned at County Council's meeting Monday night, when council was discussing second reading of an ordinance to toughen several of the county's animal laws.
Pictures of Karma were passed around to council members, showing how a collar had been embedded in the dog's neck, probably for 18 months, leaving bloody gashes and an infection.
Karma was dropped off at the Lancaster County Animal Shelter on April 8. Because animal control officers couldn't prove the person who dropped him off was his owner, charges for animal abuse couldn't be pressed.
That's why some Humane Society members wanted County Council to pass a countywide registration law. If Karma had been licensed and registered with the county, it could have proven who his owner was, and Animal Control could have brought charges, they said.
Opponents of licensing, however, say that it would cost too much to enforce because extra manpower would be needed at Animal Control. Ordinance passes, 6-1
The pictures of Karma moved Councilman Larry Honeycutt.
"This picture bothers me," he said. "There's something we need to do about this. This is bad. This is wrong."
"It tugs at your heart strings," Councilman Fred Thomas said. "But you don't want to pass an ordinance because of a picture."
Councilman Wayne Kersey, who serves on the council's animal ordinance committee and is against licensing, said the pictures were brought in to get people "hyped up."
Council Chairman Rudy Carter said he believes the proposed new leash law will solve "99 percent" of the county's problems when it comes to stray dogs.
Without adding any provisions requiring licensing, council passed second reading of the ordinance 6-1, which includes a leash law provision.
Thomas voted against it, but only for procedural reasons – to keep it off the consent agenda when it comes up for final approval. Consent items aren't discussed when they're up for a vote.
Council originally proposed designating all pit bulldogs, American bulldogs and Perro de Presa Canario dogs as dangerous. But pit bull owners came out snarling over the proposal, and council appointed residents to work with the council committee to revise the ordinance.
The revised ordinance does not target specific breeds, but does give county magistrates the authority to deem a dog dangerous. If a dog is deemed dangerous, its owner would be required to take specific measures to ensure that the dog does not attack humans or other animals.
The revised ordinance would also require residents to keep their pets on a leash.
It will take one more reading by council for the ordinance to take effect.
Karma awaits his destiny
Karma was doling out kisses at Curtsinger Animal Clinic in Indian Land on April 9, even though he had a collar embedded in his neck. The collar constricted Karma's neck so badly that his sounds came out as high-pitched squeals. The stench of the infection in Karma's neck was awful.
"It would blow you out of the room," said Dr. Katie Miller at Curtsinger Animal Clinic, who removed the collar from Karma's neck. Karma was neutered on April 9, and while he was anesthetized, Miller removed the collar and cleaned his wounds.
"It wasn't life threatening, but certainly it was absolute neglect," Miller said.
His scars are healing nicely, although they still bleed sometimes. He's learning how to be around people, but that hasn't been difficult for the supremely forgiving dog. He's also putting on weight.
Karma is also learning how to walk on a leash. He seems to be good around children, Kingery said. It's likely that Karma was alone a lot, and he's just now learning how to play with toys and other dogs.
And here's the best thing: Karma will be available for adoption through the Humane Society once his scars heal. Kingery thinks he'll do best in a home where he can be an only dog and offer up all his love to his new family.
"He's a very relaxed, chilled-out dog," Kingery said.
But Miller said a potential owner will have to make sure to get Karma's heartworms treated. She thinks he'll be a great pet for someone.
"He has an excellent temperament," Miller said.
The Humane Society is rescuing dogs and cats from the Lancaster County Animal Shelter, which euthanizes thousands of unwanted pets each year. The Humane Society chooses those with good personalities, so it will be easy to find them homes.
The Humane Society needs more foster homes and donations. For details or if you're interested in adopting Karma, call Brandy Sweisberger at (704) 219-4004. To join the Humane Society, call president Bob Hunter at (803) 283-9155.
For more about the Humane Society of Lancaster County, go to www.savelancasterpets.org.
What's a leash law?
The county's proposed leash law says that an "owner/custodian shall keep his (or her) pet under restraint at all times. No pet shall be permitted to be off the land where the owner resides, or on other private property with that property owner's permission, unless on a leash at all times. No person owning or harboring or having the care of the custody of a dangerous animal may permit the animal to go unconfined on his premises."
The ordinance is slated for third and final reading at next Monday's meeting.
We now have an office on Main Street ~ Donations accepted there, thank you!
Humane Society opens its office in downtown Photo by Aaron
The Humane Society of Lancaster County now shares office space with an AFLAC insurance agent in downtown Lancaster.
By Jenny Hartley-Senior Reporter The Humane Society of Lancaster County now has an office. And, no, the AFLAC duck in the window is not up for adoption. The Humane Society has been working since late last year to establish a fostering and adoption program to reduce the number of dogs and cats euthanized at the Lancaster County Animal Shelter each month. The Humane Society is hoping one day for the donation of land or money to build a low-kill shelter of its own, said Dawn Wagner, the society's publicity and fundraising director. Until then, its central location is 126 S. Main St. Wagner owns the building and the one next door on Main Street, and she is an AFLAC insurance agent, hence, the posters of both the signature white duck and puppies and kittens in the office window. "We've got plenty of space," Wagner said. "Being on Main Street has really helped the visibility and exposure for the society." Seminar this Saturday Humane Society members invite residents to the office on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon, for a seminar on how to foster pets. The society desperately needs more foster homes. "All of our pets are in foster homes right now," Wagner said. Those homes keep pets usually for a short time until rescue organizations pick them up, or they're adopted out locally. The Humane Society has been working with several out-of-state rescue organizations, including some as far away as Virginia and Colorado, to find homes for unwanted pets. Because of strict spay and neuter laws in Virginia, that state has a shortage of puppies and kittens, so Lancaster County's pets find good homes there, Wagner said. Saturday's seminar will focus on what's involved in being a foster home. Wagner said pets taken from the animal shelter usually only need to stay in foster homes for two to three weeks. People can choose whether they want to foster dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, or special-needs animals – those with medical problems or other issues. Sometimes there's a need for a foster home willing to nurse orphaned puppies around the clock. "That's a tough job," Wagner said. Those interested in providing a foster home for the Humane Society may drop in at the society's office on Saturday – they do not need to attend the entire three hours. Groomers needed The Humane Society would also like to find people interested in helping bathe and groom animals at the Lancaster County Animal Shelter to make them more appealing for adoption. Wagner said there's a Maltese and poodle mix at the shelter now that just needs a good bath and some tender care, and he'll be ready for adoption. Another lovable dog is also now ready for adoption – Karma, the black Labrador that came to the Animal Shelter with a collar embedded in the skin of his neck. Karma is recovering nicely from his wounds, and is looking for a loving family, Wagner said. The Humane Society of Lancaster County will begin holding adopt-a-thons at its office each Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. starting July 11. For details, call 285-5900 or go to www.savelancasterpets.org. Contact senior reporter Jenny Hartley at jhartley@thelancasternews.com or (803) 283-1151