H 3826 General Bill, By I.K. Rudnick, R.L. Altman, J.J. Bailey, J.L.M. Cromer, 
Fair, Inabinett, M.F. Jaskwhich, Meacham and J.B. Wilder
 A Bill to amend Section 47-3-760, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976,
 relating to the penalties for violations of laws relating to the regulation
 and confinement of dangerous dogs, so as to increase the penalties for
 violations.

   04/11/91  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-9
   04/11/91  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-10

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 47-3-760, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF LAWS RELATING TO THE REGULATION AND CONFINEMENT OF DANGEROUS DOGS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 47-3-760 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 47-3-760. (A) Whoever violates this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, for a first offense, must be fined not more than two hundred one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days six months and, upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, must be fined one two thousand dollars none of which may be suspended or remitted, or imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year, or both.

(B) A dangerous dog which attacks a human being or another domestic animal may be ordered destroyed when in the court's judgment the dangerous dog represents a continuing threat of serious harm to human beings or other domestic animals.

(C) Any person found guilty of violating this article shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, veterinary expenses for boarding and veterinary expenses necessitated by the seizure of any dog for the protection of the public and other expenses as may be required for the destruction of the dog. Furthermore, anyone found guilty of violating this article shall pay any medical expenses incurred by the victim as a result of an attack by a dangerous dog.

(D) All violations of this article are within the magistrate's jurisdiction."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.