Lyman, South Carolina

Sec. 4-9. – Confinement of animals.

(a) Primary stationary confinement by tethering is deemed and considered to be cruel treatment. However, an animal, including dogs, cats or other domestic pets may be tethered as a means of temporary confinement, provided:

(1) The animal remains at least 15 feet from the roadway or sidewalk at all times.

(2) The animal shall be tethered in such a manner as to prevent injury, strangulation or entanglement on fences, trees or other objects.

(3) Any chain or tether must be attached to a properly fitting collar or harness worn by the animal. Collars shall not be of a choke-type. The chain or tether must be of proper weight for the size of the animal and must be at minimum 15 feet long.

(4) Animals may not be tethered for more than nine hours per day.

(b) The temporary tethering and/or restraining of a dog after taking possession of a dog that appears to be a stray, and after having advised animal control of the capture of the dog, is permissible providing that the dog is secured in such a way to prevent choking or injury to the animal and the animal has continuous access to water, and to food if the confinement will be more than 12 hours.

(c) This section does not apply to walking an animal on a hand held leash, use of a dog during lawful hunting activities, the use of a dog while farming or herding livestock, while training a dog using normally accepted training techniques or when the restraining is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog.

(d) Animals shall not be confined outdoors in a pen or other enclosure that is not of adequate size to provide both an exercise area and adequate shelter. Enclosures shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.

(e) A violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor. Upon repeat offenses by the same person, the animal, under the discretion of a law enforcement officer may be impounded and placed in a safe harbor until ordered by the court to be released. The owner of the impounded animal shall be responsible for any costs associated with the animal’s placement. If the owner fails to pay the impound costs, the animal will be surrendered to the county humane society or placed up for adoption.