Barking dog rules in Horry County, SC — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Horry County does not put a barking dog under its general noise chapter but under its animal code. Section 4-3 makes it unlawful for an owner to let any animal create a public nuisance, which expressly includes creating excessive noise. Persistent barking can be cited to the owner.
Rather than a decibel rule, Horry County regulates animal noise through Chapter 4 (Animals and Fowl), Article I, Section 4-3 (Care and treatment; creating public nuisance). The section states no person owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any animal shall permit it to create a public nuisance, and lists 'creating excessive noise' first among the enumerated nuisances (with molesting people, chasing vehicles, and running at large). Section 4-23 applies the same public-nuisance standard to large animals. Complaints in the unincorporated county go to Horry County Animal Care & Control and the police. The general noise ordinance (13-32(a)) can also reach animal noise as an excessive, unusually loud noise that disturbs neighbors.
Allowing an animal to create a public nuisance is a misdemeanor. Under Sec. 4-3 and Sec. 1-8, a convicted owner faces up to $500 or 30 days, each day a separate offense. Animal Care & Control may cite repeat offenders.
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See how Horry County's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
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