Horry County, South Carolina

Sec. 4-3. – Care and treatment; creating public nuisance.

(d) Unlawful acts:

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(2) Tethering. It shall be unlawful to tether an animal while outdoors except when all of the following conditions are met:

a. The animal must be over the age of six (6) months.

b. The tether is connected to the animal with a buckle-type collar or a body harness made of nylon or leather, and such collar or harness is not less than one (1) inch in width and is at least one (1) inch greater in diameter than the animal’s neck or torso.

c. The tether has the following properties:

1. A minimum eight-foot length;

2. A swivel-type termination at both ends; and

3. Total weight does not exceed ten (10) percent of the animal’s body weight.

d. The animal is not tethered outside during extreme weather, including, but not limited to, temperatures above ninety (90) degrees Fahrenheit or below forty-five (45) degrees Fahrenheit snow hail tornadoes, thunderstorms tropical storms or hurricanes.

e. The animal is tethered so as to prevent injury, strangulation or entanglement.

f. The animal has access to water and shelter.

g. The animal is not tethered where any object may interfere or impede free movement of the tether.

h. The animal is not sick or injured.

i. The animal is not tethered in such proximity to any other tethered animal that would allow entanglement.

j. The animal is not tethered on any property with an unoccupied dwelling, to include, but not be limited to, abandoned or condemned buildings.

k. Any pulley, running line or trolley system to which a tether is attached shall be no less than eight (8) feet in length and no more than seven (7) feet above ground.

l. This subsection shall not apply to animals tethered as part of training for hunting or sport dogs, for animals involved in public events (dog shows, fairs, etc.) or animals at campgrounds located within the unincorporated areas of the county. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a person from walking a small animal on a hand-held leash.