SC Tethering Bill S833/ BSL Alert

S. 833
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Knotts
Introduced in the Senate on June 7, 2007
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary
Summary: Dogs

A BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 47-1-45 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE TETHERING, FASTENING, CHAINING, TYING, OR RESTRAINING A DOG TO A STATIONARY OBJECT FOR MORE THAN THREE HOURS A DAY OR FOR MORE THAN SIX HOURS A DAY ON A TROLLEY SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE CLASS I MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL PENALTIES; AND TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY ORDINANCE TO VARY THESE REGULATIONS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 47 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 47-1-45. (A) It is unlawful to tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause such restraining of a dog, to a tree, fence, post, dog house, or other stationary object for more than three hours in a twenty-four-hour period. During periods of tethering that are not unlawful under this subsection, any tethering device used must be at least fifteen feet in length and attached in such manner as to prevent strangulation or other injury to the dog and entanglement with objects other than the stationary objects to which the device is attached.
(B) It is unlawful to tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause such restraining of a dog, to a cable trolley system, that allows movement of the restraining device, for more than six hours in a twenty-four-hour period. During periods of tethering that are not unlawful under this subsection, the length of the cable along which the tethering device can move must be at least ten feet, and the tethering device must be of such length that the dog is able to move ten feet away from the cable perpendicularly.
(C) It is unlawful to attach a chain or wire or other tethering device to, or cause such attachment to, a choke-type or pronged collar on a dog.
(D) It is unlawful to attach a chain or wire or other tethering device to a dog in such manner that does not allow the dog access to water and shelter.
(E) A person who knowingly or intentionally violates subsection (A), (B), (C), or (D) is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be punished in the manner prescribed in Section 47-1-40(A).
(F) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (C) and (D), a person may, subject to the provisions of subsections (C) and (D) of this section:
(1) tether and restrain a dog while actively engaged in:
(a) use of the dog in shepherding or herding livestock;
(b) use of the dog in the business of cultivating agricultural products, if the restraining is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog; or
(c) use of the dog in lawful hunting activities if the restraint is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog.
(2) after taking possession of a dog that appears to be a stray dog and after having advised animal control authorities of the capture of the dog, tether and restrain the dog during such time as the person having taken possession of the dog is seeking the identity of the owner of the dog;
(3) walk a dog with a handheld leash.
(G) A county, city, or town may by ordinance:
(1) reduce the time of permissible tethering provided in subsections (B) and (C) of this section, including a prohibition on tethering;
(2) increase the permitted time for tethering on a rope or chain provided in subsection (B) from three to as many as nine hours;
(3) increase the permitted time for tethering on a pulley system provided in subsection (C) from six to as many as twelve hours in any twenty-four-hour period."
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 2008.








Despite the claims of those who support S.833 that the tethering of dogs leads to increased levels of animal aggression, Dr. Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the country’s leading Animal Behavior Expert and her team of researchers have proven otherwise. The Cornell study found that tethering of dogs is a safe and humane means of confinement. The study concluded that it is socialization, not the method of confinement, that influences canine behavior.

The Centers For Disease Control nor the American Veterinary Medical Association also do not support anti-tethering laws. Dr. Gail Golab of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Welfare Committee states that the "AVMA has no official position on tethering”. Dr. Golab says, “Based on a review of the scientific literature and requested professional opinions of veterinary and animal behaviorists, it appears that the effects of tethering are situation-dependent". Dr. Julie Gilchrist of the Centers For Disease Control states that cause and effect have not been proven.

Anti-tethering laws are nothing more than mere substitutes for breed-specific legislation which is strongly opposed by every major animal welfare organization as a method in the prevention of dog bites or attacks.

The South Carolina Senate Judiciary Subcommittee will meet Wednesday February 6, 2008 at 10:00 AM in room 308 of the Gressette Building at the Capital in Columbia, South Carolina for a public hearing on S.833.

Regardless of whether you Tether or Kennel your dog, PLEASE take a few minutes of your time to e-mail the Senators listed below and voice your opposition to S833. As soon as anti-tethering legislation is passed, anti-kennel and anti-crate legislation will be next. Then Animal Right Activist will pitch a fit about leaving your dog alone in your yard, then house. Any Argument made against tethering can be made against any other form of containment and will be eventually. Tethering is not the real issue being presented here. Tethering is one of if not the safest means of confining a dog. A dog on a 15 ft. tether has 706.5 square feet to move around in. The U.S. Government uses this exact form of containment for their sled dog teams in Denali. Tethering is a perfectly acceptable, humane way of containment Remember Animal Right Activist won‘t stop until they‘ve achieved their goal of total animal liberation from human use or control.

Senator John M. "Jake" Knotts, Jr. (BILL S.833 sponsor)
SIV@scsenate.org
303 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202 Bus. (803) 212-6350

Senator John D. Hawkins (Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Chairman)
DH@scsenate.org
P.O. Box 5048, Spartanburg, 29304 Bus. (864) 574-8801 Home (864) 576-9932
602 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202 Bus. (803) 212-6008

Senator Vincent A. Sheheen
VS@scsenate.org
P.O. Drawer 10, Camden, 29021 Bus. (803) 432-4391
506 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29201 Bus. (803) 212-6124

Senator Joel Lourie
JBL@scsenate.org
P.O. Box 6212, Columbia, 29260 Bus. (803) 779-0939 Home (803) 787-5802
601 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202 Bus. (803) 212-6116

Senator Lewis R. Vaughn
LRV@scsenate.org
623 Ashley Commons Ct., Greer, 29651 Bus. (864) 848-0368 Home (864) 848-0368
501 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29202 Bus. (803) 212-6100


Jack Turner
Canine Lobbyist
sccaninelobbyist@comcast.net
P.O. Box 1216
Ladson, South Carolina 29456-1216
843-709-2354