reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 3 - Dogs And Other Domestic Pets › Section 47-3-930. Interference with use of a guide dog or service animal; misdemeanor.

(A) It is unlawful for a person who has received notice that his behavior is interfering with the use of a guide dog or service animal to continue with reckless disregard to interfere with the use of a guide dog or service animal by obstructing, intimidating, or jeopardizing the safety of the guide dog or service animal or its user.
(B) It is unlawful for a person with reckless disregard to allow his dog that is not contained by a fence, a leash, or another containment system to interfere with the use of a guide dog or service animal by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of the guide dog or service animal or its user.
(C) A person who violates subsection (A) or (B) is guilty of a misdemeanor triable in magistrate's court and, upon conviction, is subject to the maximum fines and terms of imprisonment in magistrate's court.
HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 37, Section 1, eff June 2, 2003.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 3 - Dogs And Other Domestic Pets › Section 47-3-940. Injury, disability, or death; reckless disregard; penalties.

(A) It is unlawful for a person with reckless disregard to injure, disable, or cause the death of a guide dog or service animal.
(B) It is unlawful for a person with reckless disregard to allow his dog to injure, disable, or cause the death of a guide dog or service animal.
(C) A person who violates subsection (A) or (B) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 37, Section 1, eff June 2, 2003.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 3 - Dogs And Other Domestic Pets › Section 47-3-950. Unauthorized control over guide dog or service animal; penalties.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to wrongfully obtain or exert unauthorized control over a guide dog or service animal with the intent to deprive the guide dog or service animal user of his guide dog or service animal.
(B) A person who violates subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not less than one year, or both.
HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 37, Section 1, eff June 2, 2003.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 3 - Dogs And Other Domestic Pets › Section 47-3-960. Intentional injury, disability, or death; penalties.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to intentionally injure, disable, or cause the death of a guide dog or service animal, except in the case of self-defense or humane euthanasia.
(B) A person who violates subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 37, Section 1, eff June 2, 2003.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-10. Purpose; membership.

The State Livestock-Poultry Health Commission is established to execute this chapter, Chapter 6, Article 1 of Chapter 11, Chapter 13, except Sections 47-13-70 and 47-13-80, Chapter 15, Article 1 of Chapter 17, and Chapter 19 of Title 47 and other duties and responsibilities assigned by law. The commission consists of no less than three members of the Agricultural, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, or its successor, of the Clemson University Board of Trustees, as designated by the board.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994; 1995 Act No. 22, Section 1, eff April 4, 1995.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-30. Promulgation and enforcement of rules and regulations; permitted operations.

(A) The commission, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, may promulgate and enforce reasonable regulations necessary to ensure the continued health and safety of the livestock and poultry industries in the State and to carry out the responsibilities assigned by law to the commission. The commission may regulate or prohibit the shipment within, or the importation into, this State of livestock, poultry, or associated products of any nature or character from a state, territory, or foreign country when, in the opinion of the commission, the regulation or prohibition is necessary to prevent the introduction or distribution of diseased, infirm, or unhealthy livestock or poultry, or both.
(B) The commission may carry out operations including quarantines, destruction of livestock or poultry, or other measures to locate, suppress, control, or eradicate or to retard the spread of diseases of livestock or poultry, or both, independently or in cooperation with counties or their political subdivisions, municipalities, farmers, associations or similar organizations, individuals, federal agencies, or agencies of other states, by regulation, compliance agreement, judicial action, or other appropriate means.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-40. Delegation of duties to director.

The commission shall delegate the duties provided in this chapter and other applicable sections and chapters of this title to the director who may administer and enforce the provisions and promulgate related regulations.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-50. Promulgation of regulations listing diseases; reporting suspected existence of disease.

The commission may promulgate regulations listing those communicable, contagious, or infectious diseases which, if not properly controlled, may have a serious adverse impact upon the livestock-poultry industry of the State. Persons shall report the suspected existence of these diseases and the diseases listed by Section 71, Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations, to the State Veterinarian within forty-eight hours after discovery.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994; 1995 Act No. 22, Section 3, eff April 4, 1995.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-60. Certificate of veterinary inspection; requirement for out-of-state livestock or poultry; quarantine of uncertified animals; exceptions.

(A) Livestock or poultry entering this State must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection, unless otherwise indicated in this section.
(B) The certificate of veterinary inspection must include:
(1) complete names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the consignee and consignor;
(2) complete description including age, sex, breed, and premise of origin;
(3) permanent identification including, but not limited to, tag, tattoo, brand, leg band, registration name, or number;
(4) statement that the livestock or poultry has been examined and is free from the symptoms of an infectious, contagious, or communicable disease or exposure to it;
(5) results of specific tests or requirements indicated in law or regulation;
(6) signature of the certifying accredited veterinarian;
(7) approval by the livestock-poultry health authority of the state of origin.
(C) A certificate is valid for thirty days after the date of the inspection. A copy of the approved certificate, before departure of the consignment, must be forwarded to the commission.
(D) The commission may prescribe additional tests and requirements necessary to ensure the continued health and well-being of the livestock-poultry industry of the State.
(E) Livestock and poultry entering the State without a prior certificate or not otherwise authorized must be held in quarantine at the nearest suitable location while necessary tests or inspections, or both, are conducted. Alternatively, livestock and poultry loaded aboard their transporting vehicle may be allowed to return to its point of origin, with notification to the appropriate state veterinarian. Persons providing goods, services, premises, or tests for the quarantined livestock or poultry have a first lien upon the livestock or poultry for the reasonable value of the goods, services, premises, or tests.
(F) The commission may promulgate regulations for the issuance of health permits.
(G) Certificates are not required for animals consigned directly to slaughter establishments under appropriate provisions of federal law if an accredited veterinary inspector makes ante- and post-mortem examinations in accordance with the regulations of the service.
(H) The Director of the Division of Livestock-Poultry Health may authorize equine interstate event permits that must include a certificate of veterinary inspection, animal identification, and a current negative Coggins test.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994; 1995 Act No. 22, Section 4, eff April 4, 1995; 2004 Act No. 302, Section 1, eff September 8, 2004.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-65. Transport of live swine without identification prohibited.

(A) It is unlawful to transport live swine on a public road or waterway within the State unless the swine have an official form of identification approved by the State Veterinarian and are transported in such a way that the swine is visible. Live swine transported without identification are presumed to have been taken from the wild and in violation of Section 50-16-25.
(B) It is unlawful for a person to misuse or alter a permit, tag, or other form of identification or attempt to obtain a permit, tag, or form of identification by fraud or misrepresentation. A person is deemed to have misused identification by using the identification that was not assigned to them or assigned to another owner, knowingly providing identification to a person other than the owner of the swine, or by engaging in any other activity to circumvent the provisions of this section.
(C) Absent an official form of identification, it is unlawful to transport live swine on a public road or waterway within this State unless accompanied by a document that may be presented in lieu of an official form of identification, including a dated bill of lading, invoice, receipt, bill of sale, or similar document showing the quantity of swine to be sold or transported and the name of the wholesale producer or dealer from whom the live swine were purchased or received.
(D) Live swine that do not leave the premises of the swine owner are not subject to the identification requirement.
(E) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to the penalty prescribed in Section 47-4-130. Each violation constitutes a separate offense.
(F) Notwithstanding Chapter 3, Title 22, magistrates court has jurisdiction over actions arising under this section.
HISTORY: 2021 Act No. 71 (H.3539), Section 1, eff May 17, 2021.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-70. Quarantine of livestock or poultry; violation; penalty; segregation of animals; liens; abandoned animals.

(A) When in the judgment of the commission a serious threat, or the potential for it, to the health of the state livestock-poultry industry exists, it may impose an immediate quarantine upon the affected livestock or poultry, or both, or other means whereby the disease may be transmitted or take other appropriate measures. The owner, or his agent, of the livestock or poultry or alternatively the owner or operator of the facility where the livestock or poultry is located or the transport operator must be notified of the exact geographic limit of the quarantine, the means or facilities involved, the anticipated length of the quarantine, and tests or remedial measures known and required. The quarantine is effective as of the date and time of actual notice to the parties provided in this subsection and must be confirmed in writing. The quarantine may be released in writing only by the commission.
(B) A person who moves or causes to be moved quarantined livestock or poultry from its quarantine location without prior written approval of the commission is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished in accordance with Section 47-4-130.
(C) An authorized representative of the commission may cause suspected diseased livestock or poultry to be segregated from healthy livestock or poultry and withheld from sale pending a final decision by an accredited veterinarian. Segregated animals must not be removed from the premise until the decision is made or other arrangements are made satisfactory to the commission.
(D) The authority to quarantine extends to livestock and poultry contaminated by radioactivity or another cause or source which presents significant health hazard to humans or other livestock and poultry.
(E) A person providing goods, services, tests, or premises for use by quarantined livestock or poultry has a lien upon the livestock or poultry for the reasonable value of the goods, services, tests, or use of premises.
(F) Livestock or poultry quarantined for lack of proper health certification and not claimed by the consignor, consignee, or owner within ten days after notification of clearance is deemed to be abandoned and must be disposed of by sale at the next sale at the nearest market in accordance with standard market procedures. After satisfaction of all charges, liens, fees, or other costs, the balance of the proceeds must be held in escrow pending written agreement between the consignor, consignee, or owner or court order.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-80. Condemned and destroyed livestock or poultry; indemnification of owner.

(A) Livestock or poultry condemned and destroyed by order of the commission to preclude or prevent spread of disease, exotic or otherwise, are presumed to have been a public nuisance. However, this section does not apply to animals required or allowed to be sent to slaughter.
(B) The owner of destroyed livestock or poultry, in an action against this State in an appropriate court for the county in which the livestock or poultry was destroyed, may recover just compensation for the value of the livestock or poultry destroyed if he establishes that the livestock or poultry destroyed was not infected with an infectious, communicable, or contagious disease and that destruction was not the only reasonable course of action.
(C) Other indemnification must be paid in accordance with Article 3, Chapter 13 of this title if federal or state funds, or both, specifically appropriated for indemnification payments for a specific disease or condition are available. If in the judgment of the commission sufficient funds are not available, it shall effect pro rata indemnification.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-90. Stop of livestock transport to check for proper documentation.

A municipal, county, or state law enforcement officer or highway patrolman may stop and ascertain whether a conveyance transporting livestock or poultry by whatever means of transportation within the State has the proper certificate of veterinary inspection, permit, receipt, or other documents required by this title.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-100. Penalty for illegal transportation of livestock or poultry; civil liability.

(A) A person transporting livestock or poultry, or both, in violation of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished in accordance with Section 47-4-130.
(B) A person transporting livestock or poultry, or both, in violation of this title is liable in a civil action to a person injured for the full amount of damages that may result for a violation of this chapter. The action may be brought in the county in which the animals are sold, offered for sale, or delivered to a purchaser or where they may be detained in transit for violation of this chapter.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-110. Police power of commission members and agents; livestock law enforcement officers; employment, removal, duties; bond.

(A) The members of the commission and their assistants, deputies, and agents have police power in executing this chapter and other sections and chapters assigned by law.
(B) In addition to the other inspectors employed by the commission, it may employ a maximum of six livestock law enforcement officers who must be commissioned by the Governor upon the recommendation of the commission. The commission may remove an officer if it finds he is unfit for that position. The officer shall possess and exercise all of the powers and authority held by constables at common law, and while acting in their official capacity, they have statewide authority for the enforcement of all laws entrusted to the commission.
(C) Before entering upon the duties of his office, each officer shall take and subscribe before an officer authorized to administer an oath to perform faithfully the duties of his office and to execute properly the laws of this State.
(D) Each officer shall execute a bond with a licensed surety company in the amount of not less than ten thousand dollars. The bond must be filed with the commission and must be conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties, for the prompt and proper accounting of funds which may come into his hands, and for the payment of a judgment rendered against him in a court of competent jurisdiction upon a cause of action arising out of breech or abuse of official duty or power and damages sustained by a member of the public from an unlawful act of the officer. Coverage under the bond does not include damage to persons or property arising out of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle. The bond may be individual, schedule, or blanket and must be approved by the Attorney General. The premiums on the bond must be paid by the commission from appropriated funds.
(E) Violations of those provisions of Title 47 assigned to the enforcement authority of the State Livestock-Poultry Health Commission, the maximum punishment for which are within the jurisdictional maximum of the summary court, may be charged by use of the Uniform Traffic Ticket, pursuant to the provisions of Section 56-7-10. A violation of this section shall not subject the defendant's driving record to assessment of any points, nor shall the violation be considered by any insurance company for automobile insurance or merit rating system and recoupment purposes.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994; 1995 Act No. 22, Section 5, eff April 4, 1995; 2003 Act No. 54, Section 1, eff June 6, 2003.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-120. Inhibition of livestock inspection; penalty.

A person who seeks to prevent an inspection under the direction of the commission or the director or his deputies, assistants, or agents or who otherwise interferes with the director or his assistants, deputies, or agents while in the performance of their duties under this chapter and other chapters or sections of this title assigned to the jurisdiction of the commission is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished in accordance with Section 47-4-130.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-140. Disposition of fines and fees.

(A) Fines resulted from prosecutions under this chapter and other chapters or sections of this title assigned to the commission must be paid to the State Treasurer and deposited to the credit of the State Treasury.
(B) The commission may establish a fee schedule for the various services provided by the commission. These fees must be retained by the commission and utilized in carrying out the mandates of this chapter and other requirements imposed by law.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-150. Advisory committees.

The commission by regulation may establish advisory committees which fairly reflect the particular portion of the industry being regulated as well as other concerned groups or agencies. The members of these committees serve at the pleasure of the commission. In nominating the members of the advisory committees the director shall consult with officials of representative trade associations, the Administrator of the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the Commissioner of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The committee members serve at no cost to the State.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 362, Section 1, eff May 3, 1994.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-160. Livestock and poultry regulation; local laws and ordinances preempted; exceptions.

(A) For the purposes of this section, "care and handling" means accepted animal husbandry practices.
(B) Units of local government in this State may not enact ordinances, orders, or other regulations concerning the care and handling of livestock and poultry.
(C) It is the intent of the General Assembly to occupy the field of regulation of care and handling of livestock and poultry. All local laws and ordinances related to the regulation of and the enforcement of the care and handling of livestock and poultry in this State are preempted and superseded by laws enacted by the General Assembly and regulations promulgated by state agencies pursuant to those laws.
(D) The provisions of this section do not apply to Chapter 45, Title 46 concerning nuisance suits related to agricultural operations, commonly referred to as the Right to Farm Act, and do not affect a local unit of government's authority to enact ordinances concerning new swine operations and new slaughterhouse operations.
(E) The provisions of this section do not preclude or limit a unit of local government's right to exercise its land use and zoning authority.
HISTORY: 2009 Act No. 75, Section 1, eff June 16, 2009.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 4 - State Livestock-poultry Health Commission › Section 47-4-170. Confidential information; exemptions.

Information prepared, owned, used, submitted to, in the possession of, or retained by the commission or the State Veterinarian related to the exercise of its official duties pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, certificates of veterinary inspection, animal medical records, laboratory reports, or other records that may be used to identify a person or private business activities subject to regulation by the commission is confidential and exempt from disclosure pursuant to Chapter 4, Title 30 unless the State Veterinarian determines that disclosure is necessary to implement the programs contained in this chapter or the State Veterinarian determines that disclosure is necessary to prevent the spread of animal disease or to protect the public health. Information prepared, owned, used, submitted to, in the possession of, or retained by the commission or the State Veterinarian related to the exercise of its official duties pursuant to this chapter concerning the receipt and expenditure of public funds and summaries of agency activities are not subject to the exemption from Chapter 4, Title 30 provided in this section.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 220, Section 2, eff June 7, 2012.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-10. Short title.

This chapter may be referred to as the "Rabies Control Act".
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-121; 1952 Code Section 6-121; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-20. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:
(1) "Carnivore" means a flesh-eating animal and includes those animals known to be reservoirs of rabies including, but not limited to, raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bobcats and related species including, but not limited to, coyotes, wolves, wolf dogs, weasels, civet cats, spotted skunks, and lynx or the offspring born to any combinations of crossbreeding between these wild animals and domestic dogs or cats.
(2) "Department" means the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, including county health departments.
(3) "Domesticated animal" means owned or stray cats, dogs, and ferrets or other animals for which there exists a rabies vaccine approved by the department and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
(4) "Inoculation against rabies" means the injection, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or otherwise, of antirabic vaccine as approved by the department and by the United States Department of Agriculture.
(5) "Licensed veterinarian" means a person licensed by law to practice veterinary medicine in this State.
(6) "Owner" means any person who:
(a) has a right of property in a pet;
(b) keeps or harbors a pet or who has it in his care or acts as its custodian; or
(c) permits a pet to remain on or about any premises occupied by him.
(7) "Pet" means only domesticated cats, dogs, and ferrets.
(8) "Quarantine" means a prescribed, restricted confinement of a pet or other animal up to and including a state of enforced isolation. The quarantine is for the purpose of observation of the animal for signs or symptoms, or both, of rabies and for the prevention of potential rabies transmission by the animal to a person, other pets, or other animals. The location, conditions, and length of the quarantine must be prescribed by the department.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-122; 1952 Code Section 6-122; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 1971 (57) 301; 1979 Act No. 134 Section 1; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-30. Public health veterinarian; duties.

The department may employ a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine to serve as public health veterinarian of the department. In addition to the duties as public health veterinarian, this person shall aid administratively in the prevention and control of all diseases communicable from animal to man in this State and in combating these diseases in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, the extension service of Clemson University, and any other state or federal agencies engaged in similar efforts to combat diseases communicable from animal to man.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-123; 1952 Code Section 6-123; 1950 (46) 2406; 1952 (47) 2890; 1969 (56) 803; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1171, eff July 1, 1994; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-40. Interference with authorized representative carrying out duties.

The enforcement of the provisions of this chapter must be carried out under the direct supervision of the department. It is unlawful for anyone to obstruct or interfere with the authorized representative of the department as he carries out the provisions of this chapter.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-124; 1952 Code Section 6-124; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-50. Prohibition on sale of wild carnivores as pets; sale of domesticated ferrets.

(A) No carnivores, which normally are not domesticated, may be sold as pets in this State. A carnivore kept by an individual must not be allowed to run at large and then returned to confinement. A normally wild animal indigenous to this State, if held captive for a period of time, may be released to the wild. This section does not apply to domesticated ferrets. However, no ferret may be sold in this State without proper and current vaccination against rabies. Evidence of rabies vaccination is a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. A person who purchases or possesses a domesticated ferret shall maintain proper vaccination treatment for it annually.
(B) Purchasers of a domesticated ferret must be provided with a notice not less than eight inches by eleven inches which shall bear the following inscription in letters not less than three-fourths inch high:
"FERRETS HAVE A PROPENSITY TO MAKE UNPROVOKED ATTACKS THAT CAUSE BODILY INJURY TO A HUMAN BEING".
(C) Each business establishment in this State, to which has been issued a retail sales tax license, which offers ferrets for sale must prominently display a notice not less than eight inches by eleven inches which shall bear the following inscription in letters not less than three-fourths inch high:
"FERRETS HAVE A PROPENSITY TO MAKE UNPROVOKED ATTACKS THAT CAUSE BODILY INJURY TO A HUMAN BEING".
(D) This section does not apply to the sale, purchase, donation, or transfer of ownership of carnivores between publicly owned zoos or animal dealers located in this State and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Animal Welfare Act on the effective date of this chapter. These exemptions do not allow for the sale, purchase, donation, or transfer of ownership to private individuals in this State. Any public displays, showings, or exhibitions of wild carnivores, primates, or any other animal will default to the Animal Welfare Act 9 CFR 2.131-Handling of Animals.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-124.1; 1971 (57) 301; 1979 Act No. 134 Section 2; 2000 Act No. 217, Section 1, eff February 25, 2000; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002; 2017 Act No. 86 (H.3531), Section 2, eff January 1, 2018.
Editor's Note
2017 Act No. 86, Section 4, provides as follows:
"This act takes effect January 1, 2018, and applies to acts committed on or after that date."
Effect of Amendment
2017 Act No. 86, Section 2, in (D), substituted "animal will default to the Animal Welfare Act 9 CFR 2.131-Handling of Animals" for "animals for which a USDA licensed rabies vaccine does not exist are allowed only when these displays, showings, or exhibitions prevent any possible contact by these animals with the members of the general public", and made a nonsubstantive change.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-60. Inoculation of pets; certificates and tags.

A pet owner must have his pet inoculated against rabies at a frequency to provide continuous protection of the pet from rabies using a vaccine approved by the department and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. The rabies inoculation for pets must be administered by a licensed veterinarian or someone under a licensed veterinarian's direct supervision, as defined in Section 40-69-20. Evidence of rabies inoculation is a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. The rabies vaccination certificate forms may be provided by the licensed veterinarian or by the department or its designee. The veterinarian may stamp or write his name and address on the certificate. The certificate must include information recommended by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians. The licensed veterinarian administering or supervising the administration of the vaccine shall provide one copy of the certificate to the owner of the pet and must retain one copy in his files for not less than three years. With the issuance of the certificate, the licensed veterinarian shall furnish a serially numbered metal license tag bearing the same number and year as the certificate with the name and telephone number of the veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or practice. The metal license tag at all times must be attached to a collar or harness worn by the pet for which the certificate and tag have been issued. Annually before February first, the veterinarian shall report to the department the number of animals inoculated against rabies during the preceding year. The department, in conjunction with licensed veterinarians, shall promote annual rabies clinics. The fee for rabies inoculation at these clinics may not exceed ten dollars, including the cost of the vaccine, and this charge must be paid by the pet owner. Fees collected by veterinarians at these clinics are their compensation.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-125; 1952 Code Section 6-125; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 1992 Act No. 517, Section 1, eff September 2, 1992; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002; 2010 Act No. 173, Section 1, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on May 20, 2010).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-80. Notice to health department of animal affected or suspected of being affected by rabies.

A pet owner or any other person shall notify the county health department if:
(1) a pet or other animal is affected by rabies;
(2) a pet or other animal is suspected of having rabies; or
(3) a pet has been attacked or bitten by a domesticated or wild animal known or suspected of being affected by rabies.
This notice must include the location where the pet or other animal was last seen or where it may possibly be found, or both.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-127; 1952 Code Section 6-127; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-90. Reports of animal bites to health department.

Every physician after his first professional attendance upon a person bitten by a pet or other animal, by the end of the next working day, shall report the bite to the county health department and the name, age, sex, weight, address, and telephone number of the person bitten. If no physician attends to the bite, it is the responsibility of the bitten adult or the parent or guardian of a bitten minor child to report the bite by the end of the next working day to the county health department.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-128; 1952 Code Section 6-128; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-100. Quarantine, examination, and destruction of biting or attacking dog, cat, or ferret.

The county health department shall serve notice upon the owner of a dog, cat, or ferret which has attacked or bitten a person to quarantine the animal at the expense of the owner upon his premises or at an animal shelter or other place designated in the notice for at least ten days after the animal has attacked or bitten a person. The licensed veterinarian, the rabies control officer, or his assistants must be permitted by the owner of the pet or other animal which has attacked or bitten a person to examine the animal at any time, and daily if desired, within the ten-day period of quarantine to determine if the animal shows symptoms of rabies. No person may obstruct or interfere with the rabies control officer or his assistants in making the examination. The removal of the head of an animal suspected of having rabies must be performed by a licensed veterinarian, but the county health department may provide for the removal of the head if there is no veterinarian practicing within the county where the suspected animal is located or if no veterinarian located within the county will remove the head. The department shall serve notice upon the owner of an animal other than a dog, cat, or ferret when the department has knowledge that the animal has attacked or bitten a person. The notice must instruct the owner to have the animal immediately euthanized and have the brain submitted for rabies examination or to have the animal quarantined under conditions specified by the department. The owner shall comply immediately with the instructions in the notice.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-129; 1952 Code Section 6-129; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 1971 (57) 301; 1988 Act No. 547, eff May 17, 1988; 1990 Act No. 553, Section 1, eff June 6, 1990; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-110. Pets bitten or otherwise exposed to animal suspected of having rabies.

The county health department shall serve a written notice to the owner of a pet that has been bitten by or otherwise exposed to any animal affected or suspected of being affected by rabies. The notice must require the owner to have a currently inoculated pet revaccinated immediately and to quarantine the pet for a period of not less than forty-five days. An uninoculated pet must be quarantined for a period of not less than one hundred eighty days. The uninoculated pet must be inoculated after one hundred fifty days of the quarantine period and released from quarantine thirty days after that if no sign of rabies is observed.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-130; 1952 Code Section 6-130; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-120. Danger of rabies spread; quarantine and inoculation of pets; reduction of stray and feral animal population.

When there is a danger of rabies spread in a community, and it is necessary in the interest of the public's health and safety, the commissioner of the department or his designee may issue an order to include the general quarantine or immediate inoculation, or both, of pets against rabies within the affected community whether or not these pets have been previously inoculated. The order may require that efforts to reduce the stray and feral animal population be undertaken.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-131; 1952 Code Section 6-131; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-150. Department to provide or insure availability of human vaccine; reimbursement.

The department must ensure the availability of antirabic (human) vaccine and globulin products for persons bitten by or otherwise exposed to a pet or other animal found or suspected to be affected by rabies. The provision of such products shall be in accordance with departmental guidelines. The department is authorized to seek reimbursement for the cost of such products from sources to include, but not limited to, personal/medical insurance and/or Medicaid/Medicare coverage of the person receiving the products.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-135; 1952 Code Section 6-135; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 1992 Act No. 517, Section 2, eff September 2, 1992; 2002 Act No. 285, Section 1, eff May 28, 2002; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-180. Enforcement.

The department shall enforce this chapter. The sheriff and his deputies, the police officers in each incorporated municipality, and animal control officials in each county and municipality shall assist and cooperate with the county health department in enforcing this chapter.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-138; 1952 Code Section 6-138; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 1992 Act No. 517, Section 3, eff September 2, 1992; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-190. Liability for accident or subsequent disease from inoculation.

The county health departments, the county rabies control officers, their assistants, the department, the public health veterinarian or anyone enforcing the provisions of this chapter are not responsible for any accident or subsequent disease that may occur in connection with the inoculation of any animal as provided in this chapter.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-139; 1952 Code Section 6-139; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-200. Violation; penalty.

A person refusing to comply with the provisions of this chapter or violating any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished up to the maximum penalties that may be imposed in magistrate's court.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-140; 1952 Code Section 6-140; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 5 - Rabies Control › Section 47-5-210. Power of political subdivisions to prohibit pets running at large and impose additional control measures.

Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit the power of any political subdivision within the State to prohibit pets from running at large, whether or not they have been inoculated as provided in this chapter; this chapter may not be construed to limit the power of any political subdivision to regulate and control further and to enforce other and additional measures for the restriction and control of rabies.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 6-141; 1952 Code Section 6-141; 1950 (46) 2406; 1969 (56) 803; 2002 Act No. 343, Section 1, eff July 3, 2002.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 6 - Pseudorabies Control And Eradication Act › Section 47-6-10. Citation of Chapter.

This chapter may be referred to as the "Pseudorabies Control and Eradication Act" and must be administered by the State Livestock-Poultry Health Commission in accordance with this chapter and Chapter 4 of this title.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 563, eff May 29, 1988; 1994 Act No. 362, Section 3, eff May 3, 1994.
Editor's Note
The preamble of 1988 Act No. 563 provides as follows:
"Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes that pseudorabies is a serious disease in the swine industry and that the disease can be transmitted to other domestic animals; and
"Whereas, the disease can have a severe economic and psychological impact on the affected swine owner and that additional costs are incurred, both by the swine industry and state government, for surveillance and control measures; and
"Whereas, a program aimed at controlling the spread of pseudorabies, reducing the economic losses associated with the disease, reducing the risk of reinfecting swine herds where the infection has been eliminated and recognizing pseudorabies low prevalence or free areas is necessary and will ultimately benefit swine producers and consumers alike by lowering production costs. Now, therefore,
"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 6 - Pseudorabies Control And Eradication Act › Section 47-6-20. Definitions.

Unless otherwise stated, for the purposes of this chapter:
(1) "person" includes an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, or other legal entity;
(2) "swine" includes all animals of the Sus scrofa species;
(3) "herd" means all swine on one premises except that, at the discretion of the state veterinarian, other animals may be included in this group;
(4) "state veterinarian" is the veterinarian of Clemson University as defined in Section 47-13-20;
(5) "assistant" means a licensed veterinarian appointed by the state veterinarian;
(6) "pseudorabies" refers to the disease of swine caused by the pseudorabies virus. The disease may be acute, subacute, chronic, or latent;
(7) "official test" means any test for the detection of pseudorabies approved by the state veterinarian and licensed or approved by the United States Department of Agriculture;
(8) "approved herd plan" means an individually-negotiated plan developed by and agreed to between the state veterinarian and the swine herd owner for elimination of pseudorabies infection from a swine herd. The plan may include, but not be limited to, procedures for testing, segregation, cleanup, repopulation, depopulation, retesting, and the necessary timetables for implementing the plan, or the plan may follow the procedures recommended by the Livestock Conservation Institute or other nationally recognized livestock association for the elimination of pseudorabies.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 563, eff May 29, 1988.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 6 - Pseudorabies Control And Eradication Act › Section 47-6-30. Authority of state veterinarian and Livestock-Poultry Health Service of Clemson University.

The state veterinarian and the Livestock-Poultry Health Service of Clemson University are vested with the authority to develop and institute programs to provide for the control and eradication of pseudorabies in this State and to adopt regulations necessary to carry out the programs and the provisions of this chapter. The state veterinarian may also appoint assistants to assist him with his duties.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 563, eff May 29, 1988.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry › Chapter 6 - Pseudorabies Control And Eradication Act › Section 47-6-40. Notification; investigation; public notice; elimination of disease from herd.

(A) Whenever a veterinarian or other person in this State performing disease diagnostic services has knowledge or reason to suspect a swine or herd of swine has pseudorabies, he shall notify, within forty-eight hours, the state veterinarian of this fact.
(B) Upon receipt of a report of pseudorabies, the state veterinarian shall conduct an immediate investigation to determine the origin and avenue of transmission of the infection. Assistants to the state veterinarian may enter the place or premise for the investigation and inspection as may be necessary for these determinations provided they follow any reasonable request of the owner in regard to protective clothing, sanitized boots, etc.
(C) Whenever the state veterinarian has reason to believe that the pseudorabies may spread within a county or the geographical area, the state veterinarian may serve public notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or geographical areas requiring the owners of swine to confine their animals for any period necessary to prevent the spread of pseudorabies.
(D) Herds that are infected with pseudorabies must be quarantined by the state veterinarian. Quarantined herds must not be removed from the premise where the infection was detected except with the written authorization of the state veterinarian or an assistant.
(E) An approved herd plan for the elimination of the disease from the infected herd must be developed within ninety days.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 563, eff May 29, 1988.