Darlington County, SC Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 6, Article II defines "dangerous animal" behaviorally rather than by breed. Section 6-21(a)(1) covers any canine, feline or wild animal whose owner knows or should know it has a propensity to attack unprovoked, that has made an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury outside its required confinement, or that is kept for fighting or trained to fight. Section 6-21(a)(3) makes the no-breed-ban point explicit: "An animal is not a 'dangerous animal' solely by virtue of its breed or species." Once an animal control officer, Sheriff's deputy or other authorized officer determines under § 6-21(b) that an animal is dangerous, the officer issues the owner a document naming the determination along with a copy of the ordinance and S.C.

Code § 47-3-710 et seq., and the owner may appeal within five days to a county magistrate and, after that, to the Darlington County Circuit Court. A declared dangerous animal must be confined indoors or in a securely enclosed, clearly marked pen under § 6-21(c), and cannot leave the owner's premises unless safely restrained under § 6-21(d). Section 6-21(f)(4) requires the owner to register the animal with the animal control officer within 15 days of the determination, renew annually, disclose the animal's breed, sex, color and markings and the enclosure description, carry at least $50,000.00 in liability insurance or a surety bond, and pay a $25.00 annual registration fee to the county treasurer; the animal control officer then issues a numbered "dangerous animal" tag.