North Charleston, SC Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

SECTION 47-3-710. Definitions. (A) As used in this article "dangerous animal" means an animal of the canine or feline 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; (2) which: (a) makes an unprovoked attack that causes bodily injury to a human being and the attack occurs in a place other than the place where the animal is confined as required by Section 47-3-720; or (b) commits unprovoked acts in a place other than the place where the animal is confined as required by Section 47-3-720 and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the animal will attack and cause bodily injury to a human being; (3) which is owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of fighting or which is trained for fighting. (B) "Dangerous animal" does not include: (1) an animal used exclusively for agricultural purposes; or (2) an animal which attacks a person who is trespassing or who appears to be trespassing. A trespasser is a person who is not lawfully upon the premises of the owner, as set forth in Section 47-3-770(A). (C) An animal is not a "dangerous animal" solely by virtue of its breed or species.