Florence County, SC Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Florence County Code §§ 6-12, 6-15
- Basis for designation
- Behavior, not breed
- Registration fee
- $200.00
- Required insurance/bond
- $150,000.00 per incident
- First offense, animal attack
- $200-$500 fine or 30 days
- Second offense
- $1,000.00 fine, mandatory
Summary
Florence County has no breed-specific ban: Code § 6-12 defines 'dangerous/vicious animal' by behavior, not breed, covering any canine, feline, or wild-family animal with a history or act of unprovoked aggression. Owners of a dangerous animal must register it, confine it, carry $150,000.00 in liability coverage, and pay a $200.00 registration fee.
(e)The owner of a dangerous/vicious animal must pay a dangerous/vicious animal registration fee of $200.00. In addition, the animal must be spay/neutered and must be vaccinated for rabies.(f)The registration must be accompanied by proof of liability insurance or surety bond of at least $150,000 per incident insuring or securing the owner for personal injuries inflicted by the dangerous animal.(g)A person who violates this section or who is the owner of a dangerous animal which attacks and injures a domestic animal is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, for a first offense must be fined a minimum of $200.00 and a maximum of $500.00 or imprisoned not more than thirty days, and upon conviction of a subsequent offense, must be fined $1,000.00 none of which may be suspended. ... Dangerous/vicious animal: Any animal of the canine, feline, or wild animal family: (1)Which the owner knows or reasonably should know has a propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, cause injury, or otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals or livestock; or
Full Breakdown
Florence County Code § 6-12 governs dangerous and vicious animals rather than any named breed. The Chapter 6 definition at § 6-15 defines 'dangerous/vicious animal' as any animal of the canine, feline, or wild animal family that the owner knows or reasonably should know has a propensity to attack unprovoked, that has made an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury away from where it is confined, that has committed unprovoked acts elsewhere that would cause a reasonable person to believe it will attack, or that is owned or trained for fighting; no breed is named anywhere in the definition.
Once an animal meets that standard, § 6-12(a) forbids letting it go unconfined on the owner's premises, requiring secure indoor confinement or a securely enclosed, locked, clearly marked pen designed to keep out the public and prevent escape, and § 6-12(b)-(c) requires a leash, halter, and muzzle whenever the animal leaves the property. Section 6-12(d) requires the owner to register the animal with Environmental Services, providing the owner's name, address, and phone number, the animal's breed, color, sex, weight, and age, the address where it is confined, and a description of the outdoor pen. 00 per incident. 00 fine, none of which may be suspended.
Violations & Fines
A general violation of § 6-12, or an attack on a domestic animal, is a misdemeanor punished by a $200.00 to $500.00 fine or up to 30 days' imprisonment for a first offense, rising to a mandatory $1,000.00 fine for a second or later offense. An attack that injures a human is punished separately and more severely under § 6-12(h): up to $2,500.00 or one year in jail for a first offense, and a felony carrying $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 or one to five years for a second or subsequent offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florence County ban specific dog breeds like pit bulls?
What must I do if my dog is declared dangerous?
What penalty applies if a declared dangerous animal attacks someone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Florence County
How Florence County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Florence County to another location·View the South Carolina animal ordinances overview
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