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

Section 6-2 defines "dangerous animal" by conduct, not breed: an animal with a known propensity to attack unprovoked or endanger people, domestic animals or livestock; one that attacks without provocation; one kept or trained for fighting; or one with two or more unprovoked attacks, which is prima facie evidence of dangerousness. Under § 6-13(a), an animal control officer determines probable cause that a dog is dangerous and must notify the owner in writing; if the owner contests the finding, the officer petitions magistrate's court, which holds a hearing, and if the magistrate finds the dog not dangerous there is no fee for the shelter stay.

Owners of a declared dangerous dog must report changes in ownership, contact information, housing location, health status or the dog's death to animal services under § 6-13(b). Confinement rules under § 6-13(c) and (d) require an attended dog outdoors to be muzzled and on a leash no longer than three feet; an unattended outdoor dog must be locked in an escape-proof kennel meeting minimum standards: nine-gauge or heavier wire fencing with openings no larger than two inches, padlocked gates, secure sides and top imbedded four inches into concrete if bottomless, sized for the animal, and marked with a universal dangerous-animal sign on all four sides, or on every entrance door if the dog is kept indoors. C. Code § 47-3-760(E), per § 6-13(d)(7)-(e).