H 3778 General Bill, By J.L.M. Cromer
 A Bill to amend Section 50-11-1765, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976,
 relating to the possession, sale, or importation of live wolves or coyotes, so
 as to revise the prohibition to include possessing, importing, shipping, or
 causing to be brought into the State a live wolf or coyote or hybrid of either
 or both, provide permitting for exceptions to the prohibition, provide
 penalties including seizure, custody, and destruction, and define hybrid wolf
 and hybrid coyote.

   04/04/91  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-6
   04/04/91  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-6

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 50-11-1765, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE POSSESSION, SALE, OR IMPORTATION OF LIVE WOLVES OR COYOTES, SO AS TO REVISE THE PROHIBITION TO INCLUDE POSSESSING, IMPORTING, SHIPPING, OR CAUSING TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE STATE A LIVE WOLF OR COYOTE OR HYBRID OF EITHER OR BOTH, PROVIDE PERMITTING FOR EXCEPTIONS TO THE PROHIBITION, PROVIDE PENALTIES INCLUDING SEIZURE, CUSTODY, AND DESTRUCTION, AND DEFINE HYBRID WOLF AND HYBRID COYOTE.

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

SECTION 1. Section 50-11-1765 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 50-11-1765. (A) It is unlawful to sell live wolves or coyotes within the State or to possess, import, ship, or import live wolves or coyotes cause to be brought into this the State, except for exhibition or scientific purposes upon the approval of the department as provided by regulations promulgated by the department. A person may not have a live wolf or coyote in his possession without a permit issued by the department or hybrid of either or both. However, the department may issue permits for possessing, importing, or shipping for zoological parks, transit circuses, or research by governmental or educational agencies or institutions if the department determines that the possession, importation, or shipping does not adversely affect the wildlife resources of the State. The possession of a permit under this section does not excuse compliance with state laws or regulations or local ordinances designed to protect public safety.

(B) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand nor less than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months nor less than thirty days, or both.

(C) A live wolf or coyote or hybrid of either or both found in the State without a permit issued by the department must be seized and destroyed or placed in the custody of an institution permitted to have the animal.

(D) For purposes of this section a hybrid wolf or hybrid coyote is an animal which is at least one-fourth wolf or coyote, or both."

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