A brief look at some of Dorchester County's Animal Control Ordinances
Revised March 15, 1999
Know Your Laws!
Vaccination Dogs & Cats
If you own a dog or cat four (4) months of age or older, it must be vaccinated against Rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Evidence of vaccination shall consist of a "Rabies Vaccination Certificate" signed by your veterinarian or a "Rabies Vaccination Tag" to be attached to the animal's collar. No other form of Rabies vaccination will be recognized in Dorchester County. A rabies certificate and rabies tag issued for one animal is not valid for any other animal.
Did You Know?
If you are annoyed by a barking dog, and the owner is not willing to correct the problem, Animal Control will supply you with a log which you will record for one (1) week. If the barking is found to be a nuisance, the owner may be given a citation.
Identification Dogs & Cats
Any dog or cat two (2) months of age or older must wear a collar to which a durable metal or plastic identification tag is attached which has permanently stamped or printed the owner's address and phone number(s).
Exceptions:
Animal is being housed at a boarding kennel, is participating in training, or the tag has been removed by a veterinarian.
When Your Animal Bites a Person or Animal
When your animal bites a person or another animal, it will be quarantined for a period of no less than ten (10) days. If you can provide proof of a current rabies vaccination by a certified veterinarian, at the discretion of the Supervisor of Animal Control and the Health Department, the animal may be quarantined by the owner. If your animal is quarantined at a facility other than on your own property, you will be responsible for the quarantine fee charged by the facility.
Animals at Large
It is unlawful for any owner or keeper of an animal other than a cat to willfully or negligently allow the animal to run at large on any public property or on any private property of another without permission of the property owner.
Exception:
- You are involved in such activities as an animal exhibition, field trail, competition, or legal sport OR you are involved in training for these activities.
- You are engaged in lawful hunting, unless the dog is roaming in populated residential, industrial, or business areas or along public roads
- Note: It is also unlawful for a diseased animal or a fertile cat six (6) months or older to run at large.
Nuisance
It is unlawful for your animal to:
- Disturb the rights of, threaten the safety of, or damage a member of the general public or interfere with the ordinary use and enjoyment of their property.
- Damage the property of anyone other than its owner, including turning over garbage containers or damaging gardens, flowers or vegetables, or repeated defecation upon the property of another.
Barking
You may not allow your dog to bark, whine, or howl in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion so as to interfere with the reasonable use and enjoyment of your neighbors.
Dangerous Dogs
You may not allow you dog to chase, snap at, attack, or bark at pedestrians, joggers, dogs walked on a leash by owners, bicycles or vehicles.
Females in Heat
You must confine your female dog or cat, while in season, in a building or secure enclosure in such a manner that she cannot come into contact with another dog or cat or create a nuisance by attracting other animals.
Dog Regulations
Dogs must have proper shelter - three (3) sides, top and bottom. They must be supplied clean water constantly. If on a chain, the chain must be a minimum of 10 feet long and area cleared so the chain can not become tangled. Area must be kept clean of all waste materials and trash.
All Violations Are Subject To A $525.00 Fine Or 30 Days In Jail!
If you have any questions or would like to know more about your animal laws, you can reach us at:
Dorchester County Codes Enforcement Animal Control500 North Main
Summerville, SC 29483
- (843) 832-0015 or (843) 563-0015
- Fax: (843) 832-0037 or (843) 563-0037
Animals without identification will be picked up and transported to:
Frances R. Willis S.P.C.A136 Four Paws Lane
Summerville, SC 29483 (off Hwy 78)
- Monday - Closed
- Tuesday - Saturday - 10AM to 5PM
- Sunday - 1PM to 5PM
- (843) 871-3820
- www.frwspca.org