Cost of Animal Care Laws – Lifting the Financial Burden of Animal Abuse from the Shelters
Written by Kelsey Gilmore-Futeral, JD South Carolina State Director, HSUS
While Charleston County has declared itself a “no kill” community, other communities are still working towards this benchmark. In the middle of January 2019, Laurens County Animal Control posted a plea on its Facebook page for the rescue or adoption of two adoptable dogs to avoid having to euthanize the dogs because the shelter was out of space. Part of the reason Laurens County found itself in the position of having to euthanize healthy animals for space is because it has been holding 13 dogs for more than 100 days pending the outcome of court cases. In addition to forcing the Laurens County animal control lowcountry dog 28
administration to make a very tough call, it is extremely likely the county taxpayers will be left footing the bill for the dogs’ stay with animal control. Currently in South Carolina, the municipality that brings charges for ill treatment of animals, animal fighting or baiting is legally responsible for covering the cost of those animals’ care if the accused does not voluntarily relinquish the animals. Animals being held pending the disposition of criminal cases are provided food, veterinary care, shelter, medications, water and exercise. The cost to care for a dog in a South Carolina shelter ranges from $5 per day to over $60 per
