§ 6-15. Abandonment and maltreatment.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any pet or animal cared for by an owner to be abandoned in the county.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for anyone to ill-treat, deprive of necessary substance or shelter, or inflict unnecessary pain or suffering upon any animal, or fail to provide humane treatment or cause these things to be done.

(c)

No person shall expose any known poisonous substance, whether mixed with food or not, in such a manner as to endanger animals.

(d)

It shall be unlawful to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle whereby the animal is unprotected from physical suffering or impairment of health due to exposure to extreme temperature. Any county officer, employee or contract agent, assisted by a law enforcement officer, may remove any animal left unattended in a vehicle when in the animal control officer's opinion the animal is in distress. Any locksmith fees associated with such rescue shall be the responsibility of the vehicle owner, animal owner, or person responsible for placing the animal in the vehicle.

(e)

The county animal cruelty investigator shall investigate alleged violations of this section or of state anti-cruelty laws with the assistance of the Sheriff, or his designee, as needed.

(f)

Violations of anti-cruelty laws may be prosecuted under this article or the provisions of state law, S.C. Code 1976, § 47-1-10 et seq.; as amended.

(Ord. No. 98-3, 4-6-98)