CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – New regulations on tethering animals in Horry County are moving forward.
Horry County lawmakers are trying to crack down on pet owners abusing their animals by making county law tougher than what the state has in place. County council voted unanimously on the second reading of an ordinance Tuesday night.
It would make it illegal to tether animals for more than two hours in a 12-hour period. Animals also couldn’t be tied up if the temperature is hotter than 90 degrees or colder than 45 degrees for more than 15 minutes.
The ordinance still needs to pass one more reading, but residents speaking during a public hearing said they support the proposal.
“Experts consistently agree that chaining and tethering increases aggression in some dogs, which can lead to unnecessary and preventable human-canine interactions resulting in injury and/or death,” said Brad Floyd of Surfside Beach.
Horry County Police Chief Joseph Hill also spoke to council, saying it may be tough for deputies to enforce everywhere, but that it’s possible since the county already watches out for suspected cases of abused or neglected pets.
“You can tell when an animal’s had a chain or a rope around its neck for a long period of time and the fur is worn away,” Chief Hill said. “That animal control officer can make that determination.”
The animal tethering ordinance needs to pass one more reading, but the county’s public safety committee will discuss it first to finalize how to enforce the proposed law.
