Anderson County, SC Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Core duty
- Reasonable control/restraint at all times
- At-large ban
- No pet loose off owner's property
- Working-dog exception
- Hunting/training dogs actively engaged
- Minimum tether length
- 15 feet, Sec. 4-4(h)
- Stray hold
- 3 working days at shelter
- Enforcement
- County sheriff's office animal control
Summary
Anderson County requires every pet owner to keep their animal 'under reasonable control and restraint at all times,' and Sec. 4-4(c)(1) makes it unlawful to let a dog or other pet run at large off the owner's property. Hunting and working dogs are exempt while actively engaged in the field, so long as they injure no one.
(a)The owner of every animal or pet within the county shall keep such animal or pet under reasonable control and restraint at all times, with the exception of community cats. ... (c)It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper of any animal or pet, or any other person, where applicable, to: (1)Not keep such animal or pet under reasonable control or restraint at all times, or allow such animal or pet to run at large off of property owned, rented, or controlled by such owner. This provision shall not apply to any hunting or working dog while actually engaged in any hunting or training or working exercises, so long as such dog does not do injury to persons or other domestic animals or pets or livestock.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. or upon public property without the direct and physical control of the owner,' with community cats excluded from that definition. Sec. 4-4(a) applies the reasonable-control duty to 'every animal or pet within the county,' and Sec. 4-4(c)(1) makes it a violation to fail that duty or to let the animal run loose off the owner's land, except for a hunting or working dog actually engaged in hunting, training, or work exercises that causes no injury. If a dog must be tethered rather than fenced, Sec.
4-4(h) sets minimum standards: a tether at least 15 feet long, weighing no more than 10 percent of the dog's weight, fitted with swivels on both ends, attached to a properly fitting collar or harness (never a choke or pinch collar), and never used on a dog under six months old or one that is sick. Under Sec. 4-5(d)-(h), a sheriff's office animal control officer who witnesses or has credible evidence of a dog at large may impound it; the dog is held at the shelter at least three working days before it becomes county property if unclaimed.
Violations & Fines
A dog running at large or violating Sec. 4-4(h) tethering rules can be impounded on the spot under Sec. 4-5(e), and the owner may be issued a uniform county summons or, at the officer's discretion, a written warning. Sec. 4-6(b) allows a civil penalty up to the maximum set under Sec. 1-7 in lieu of a criminal charge, plus shelter, impoundment, and treatment fees before release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to let my dog run loose in unincorporated Anderson County?
Does the leash law apply to hunting dogs?
What are the rules if I chain or tether my dog instead of fencing it?
What happens if animal control picks up my loose dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anderson County
Compare Anderson County to another location·View the South Carolina animal ordinances overview
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