Simpsonville, SC Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed ban
- None
- Regulation basis
- Behavior (vicious animal)
- Vicious defined in
- Sec. 6-81
- Confinement pen
- 6-ft sides or secure top
- State backstop
- S.C. Code 47-3-750
Summary
Simpsonville does not ban any dog breed. Instead it regulates dangerous dogs by behavior: Sec. 6-85 makes it unlawful to keep any 'vicious' animal, defined by attack propensity rather than breed. Confinement, seizure, and destruction can follow a vicious determination.
Vicious animal means an animal: (1) With a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury to, or to otherwise endanger the safety of humans or domestic pets; or (2) Which attacks or has attacked a human being or other domestic animal without provocation; or (3) Which is trained or used to fight, or to attack humans.
Full Breakdown
Simpsonville has no breed-specific ban. Sec. 6-81 defines a 'vicious animal' by conduct: a known propensity to attack unprovoked, one that has attacked a person or domestic animal without provocation, or one trained to fight or attack. Under Sec. 6-85 keeping such an animal is unlawful (unless it attacked someone unlawfully on the owner's property). The animal control officer may order confinement in a locked pen with six-foot sides or a secure top, posted with a dangerous-animal notice, or seize the animal. A court may order humane destruction or relocation outside the city. These provisions supplement S.C. Code § 47-3-750.
Violations & Fines
Owning or harboring a vicious animal is a misdemeanor punished per Sec. 1-9 (Sec. 6-87). The court cannot waive the fine by letting the owner surrender the animal, and the animal may be seized pending trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Simpsonville?
What makes a dog 'vicious' under city code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Simpsonville
How Simpsonville compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Simpsonville to another location·View the South Carolina animal ordinances overview
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