GPD Animal Control

City Ordinances

ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 4-1. Definitions.
Unless otherwise provided, the following terms and phrases shall have the following meanings in this chapter:

Abandonment: Deserting, forsaking, or intending to give up absolutely any animal without providing adequate food, water, and sanitary shelter for 48 hours or longer.

Animal: Any nonhuman living vertebrate, whether wild or domesticated. Animal control officer: The person or office designated by the city to enforce this chapter.

Animal shelter: Any facility or premises designated by the city for the purpose of the impoundment, care, or destruction of animals held pursuant to this chapter. Cat: All members of the feline family.

Contract enforcement agency: The South Carolina Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, doing business as Greenville Humane Society, or such other organization or business, designated by the city manager to administer and enforce this chapter.

Dog: All members of the canine family.

Euthanasia: The act of putting to death in a humane manner.

Impound: To confine humanely while providing adequate food, shelter and ventilation.

Kennel: Any facility wherein a person, business entity, or organization regularly keeps six or more dogs or other animals for any purpose and receives compensation for the service or for the sale of animals.

Neutered male: Any male animal which has been operated on to prevent reproduction.

Owner or keeper: Any person who
(a) has a right of property in an animal;
(b) keeps or harbors an animal or has it in the person's care, or acts as its custodian for ten days or more; or
(c) permits for 48 hours or longer an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by the person.

Running at large: Being off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under the physical control of the owner or keeper by means of a leash or other similar restraining device.

Spayed female: Any female animal which has been operated on to prevent conception.

Stray animal: An animal running at large with no identifiable owner.

Swine: Any hog, boar, pig (including pot-bellied pigs), peccary, or like animal of the suidae or tayassuidae families.

Under restraint: An animal is under restraint when it is on the premises of its owner or keeper or when it is accompanied by its owner or keeper and under control of such person by means of a leash or other similar restraining device.

Vicious or dangerous animal: An animal
(a) with a propensity or inclination to attack unprovoked, to cause injury to, or otherwise to endanger the safety of humans or domestic pets;
(b) which has attacked a human being or domestic animal without provocation; or
(c) which is trained or used to fight or to attack humans or other animals.

Wild animal: Untamed animal, living in its natural state, including but not limited to alligators, crocodiles, bears, cat family, canine family, non-human primates, and venomous snakes. This definition excludes non-venomous snakes. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Editor's note: Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, adopted June 8, 1998, repealed provisions formerly set out as § 4-1 of the Code and enacted new provisions as § 4-1 to read as herein set out. Former § 4-1 pertained to removal of animal waste and derived from Ord. No. 96-82, § 1, adopted Sept. 23, 1996.

Sec. 4-2. Animal control officer
(a) Powers, authority, and duties. The city manager shall designate by appointment the animal control officer who shall be vested with the authority to enforce and otherwise administer the provisions of this chapter. For that purpose, the city manager shall have the authority and discretion to enter into an agreement with a contract enforcement agency for the provision of all or part of the duties of the animal control officer and for the provision of impoundment services, provided such contractual arrangements are approved by council. However, nothing herein shall abridge the authority of law enforcement officers to enforce the provisions of this or any other law concerning animal control.

(b) Maintenance of records. The contract enforcement agency shall maintain in a manner approved by the city, and subject to periodic inspection and an audit, accurate and complete records relating to the impoundment and disposition of animals in the agency's custody and its receipt and expenditure of funds.

(c) Search warrants. The animal control officer may obtain a search warrant to enter any premises upon which there is probable cause to believe that violation of this chapter exists, with the search warrant, the animal control officer may enter the premises to examine and take custody of animals whenever the animal control officer determines the action is appropriate to achieve the purposes of this chapter.

(d) Pursuit of rabid, abused or vicious animal. The animal control officer is hereby authorized and empowered to follow and enter upon any enclosure or lot, public or private, within the city in the quest of any animal which the animal control officer has reasonable cause to believe is rabid, abused, neglected, or vicious and to take custody of the animal to achieve the purposes of this chapter. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-3. Interference with animal control officer.
No person shall interfere with or hinder the animal control officer in the performance of the duties created under this chapter. No attempt to assist the animal control officer is authorized without the animal control officer's consent. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-4. Rabies vaccination; dog tag and collar.
No person shall own or keep a dog more than six months of age on any premises within the city unless the dog has been vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian, licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state, within the preceding 12 months and unless the dog wears a collar or harness securely attached to its body to which shall be securely attached a tag issued for the dog by such licensed veterinarian showing the dog has been vaccinated against rabies as provided herein. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-5. Animal care generally.
(a) No owner or keeper shall fail to provide such person's animals with sufficient wholesome food; clean, fresh water; proper shelter and protection from the weather; veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering; and humane treatment. An owner or keeper of animals shall at all times maintain a clean shelter and living area, free of accumulated waste and debris so that the animal shall be free to walk or lie down without coming in contact with any waste or debris.
(b) Proper shelter includes a structure appropriately sized for the animal to stand or lie in a normal manner. The structure must adequately protect animal from harsh weather; at a minimum, it shall have a roof, four sides, and an opening for ingress and egress.
(c) Any chain, leash, or similar device for animal restraint shall be designed and placed to prevent choking or injury to the animal. The restraining device shall be at least ten feet in length and placed on a swivel or on a chain run. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-6. Disposal of dead animals.
(a) The owner or keeper shall not allow any dead animal to remain on that person's property longer than 24 hours without sanitary disposal. This does not prohibit the placing of the dead animal on the right-of-way to be picked up by the city's sanitation department.
(b) For purposes of this section, "sanitary disposal" includes burial of individual animals in accord with applicable provisions of state law, as from time to time amended, regulating the burial of dead animals. No horse, cow, mule, deer, or animal of comparable size shall be buried on any premises in the city except in an animal cemetery designated as such and owned and maintained by a licensed business entity or a not for profit organization, organized under the laws of this state. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

State law references: Similar provisions, S.C. Code 1976, § 44-29-30.

Sec. 4-7. Keeping domestic fowl; no disturbance of others.
No person shall keep on premises located in the city any chickens, turkeys, ducks, guineas, geese, pheasants, pigeons or other domestic fowl, in quantities or in a manner as to unreasonably disrupt or disturb the peace and quiet of any person, or to interfere with the reasonable use of property or enjoyment of life by any person, or unreasonably to cause damage, destruction, detriment or impairment to public or private property or to the property's value, or to cause unreasonable annoyance or disturbance toany other person or to unreasonably cause offense to another person by reason of noise, odor, filth, vermin or other causes. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-8. Coops for containment of fowl.
No person shall confine fowl in coops or other enclosures less than 18 inches in height. The coops or other enclosures shall allow fowl to move around freely within the coops or enclosures. All coops or other enclosures used to confine fowl shall be provided at all times with clean food and pure water placed in containers outside of the coops or other enclosures, protected from contamination, and accessible to the fowl at all times. Coops or other enclosures used to confine fowl shall be provided with cleanlitter and cross-ventilation at all times. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-9. Prohibitions and restrictions of animals in public places.
(a) No owner, keeper, or other person having control or supervision of an animal shall permit an animal, whether restrained or not, to be in an area in which a special event is being held pursuant to a special event permit issued under the ordinances of this Code, unless the event permit specifically authorizes the presence of animals.
(b) Any owner, keeper, or other person having control or supervision of an animal must remove promptly all feces left by the animal on any street, sidewalk, or plaza in the central business district or in any public park anywhere within the city.
(c) No owner, keeper, or person having control or supervision of an animal, shall permit the animal, whether restrained or not, to walk, run, or stand, on the premises of a cemetery.
(d) This section shall not apply to a guide, hearing, or service dog or other dog which has been trained to accompany a person with a disability while being accompanied by a disabled person or to any dog or horse in the custody or control of a law enforcement officer while the officer is in the performance of official duties. Nor shall it apply to an animal which remains at all times within the confines of a motor vehicle.
(Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98; Ord. No. 2005-87, Exh., 10-10-05)

Sec. 4-10. Mistreatment of animals.
No person shall starve, beat, neglect, ill-treat, torture, torment, overload, overdrive, overwork, needlessly mutilate, cruelly kill, or inflict unnecessary pain upon any animal. No person shall encourage, provoke, cause or instigate any fighting between animals or between animals and humans. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-11. Abandoning animals.
(a) No owner or keeper shall abandon an animal.
(b) If an animal is found abandoned by its owner or keeper. the animal control officer may take custody and impound the animal in the animal shelter. The animal shall be kept for not less than five days in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 4-41.
(Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-12. Striking animals with a motor vehicle.
Any person operating a motor vehicle, who strikes a domesticated animal, shall report the injury or death to the animal control officer. This provision shall not be construed to require the touching of an injured animal by a person who strikes a domesticated animal.
(Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-13. Poisoning animals.
It shall be unlawful for any person to put or place any strychnine, antifreeze, other poisonous compounds, or ground glass on any foodstuffs with the intent to poison any animal; provided, that this section shall not apply to the poisoning of insects, spiders, or worms in a reasonable manner for the purpose of protecting plants, gardens, or structures, nor to poisons used for the purpose of extermination of rats, mice, and other undomesticated rodents.
(Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-14. Running at large.
No owner or keeper shall willfully or negligently permit any dog to run at large beyond the limits of such person's own land or the land lawfully occupied or controlled by the owner or keeper. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-15. Prohibited animals.
(a) No person shall keep or maintain any wild animal in the city.
(b) No person shall keep or maintain any swine in the city.
(c) This section does not preclude wild animals in zoos, circuses, or in exhibitions when under the supervision of a professional who by training and experience is qualified to provide food and care for the animals kept or maintained. This section does not apply to wild animals weighing less than ten pounds when the animal is confined in a cage at all times. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-16. Giving away animals for commercial purposes.
No person shall sell, offer for sale, or give away as merchandising premiums baby chickens, ducklings, or other fowl under four weeks old or rabbits under two months old. This section does not apply to animals to be used or raised for agricultural purposes by persons with proper facilities to care for the animals or for poultry or livestock exhibitions.
(Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-17. Informal hearing.
In order to resolve disputed issues between an animal owner or keeper and a neighbor, a party aggrieved by any action or determination of the animal control officer may request by written notice an informal hearing before the animal control officer's supervisor, including the director of any contract enforcement agency. The supervisor shall conduct an impartial hearing to determine the facts and bring about a resolution. The supervisor shall notify the affected parties of the hearing date and time. Within ten days of the hearing, the supervisor shall submit to the parties a written determination To appeal the supervisor's recommendation, the aggrieved party must submit an appeal in writing to the city manager within 15 days of the hearing date for the city manager's review.
(Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Secs. 4-18--4-30. Reserved.

ARTICLE II. DOMESTIC ANIMALS

Sec. 4-31. Female dogs and cats in heat.
Every female dog or cat in heat shall be confined in a shelter or secure enclosure so that the female dog or cat does not become accessible to an un-neutered male of the same species except for planned breeding purposes (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-32. Nuisance animals.
(a) The actions of an animal constitute a public nuisance when an animal disturbs the rights of, threatens the safety of, or injures a member of the general public, damages property, or interferes with the ordinary use and enjoyment of the property of others in the vicinity of where the animal is kept or properties affected by its running at large.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess or maintain an animal in a manner so as to constitute a public nuisance. By way of example and not of limitation, the following acts or actions by an owner or keeper are hereby declared to be a public nuisance; and are, therefore, unlawful:
(1) Allowing or permitting an animal to damage the property of anyone other than its owner or keeper, or to impede the property's ordinary use and enjoyment, even if the property is not physically damaged.
(2) Maintaining an animal that habitually or repeatedly chases, snaps at, or attacks persons, bicycles, or vehicles, or maintaining any animal whose behavior constitutes a reasonable risk of injuring a human or other animal.
(3) Maintaining property in a manner which results in an environment of unsanitary conditions causing offensive odors, filth, vermin, or disease; or is dangerous to the animal or the public health, safety or welfare of the community because of the number, type, variety, density, or location of the animals on the property.
(4) Allowing or permitting an animal to bark, whine, howl, crow or cackle in an excessive, continuous, or unreasonable fashion, or to make other noise in a manner so as to result in a serious interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises.
(c) Upon the receipt of two written and signed complaints, from separate households in close proximity to the offender, that a person is violating the provisions of this section, the animal control officer or other appropriate law or codes enforcement officer shall investigate the complaint. If the investigation determines that the complaint is justified, the animal control officer or other appropriate law or codes enforcement officer shall notify the owner or keeper of the animal, in writing, to correct the violation. The animal control officer shall have the discretion to respond by investigation to other types of complaints that a person is violating this section.
(d) Should the owner or keeper of any animal found to be in violation of this section fail to correct the violation after ten days of the date of notice, the animal shall be impounded and the owner or keeper shall be subject to the penalties for violations provided in this chapter. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-33. Vicious or dangerous animals.
(a) No person shall own, keep, have charge of or in any way maintain or harbor within the city any animal which is vicious or dangerous as described in section 4-1, or that has attacked or injured any person without provocation. This section shall not apply to any animal that attacks any person or animal which is unlawfully upon its owner's or keeper's premises or complied with (c) below.
(b) Any person witnessing an animal attacking a human being, shall notify the rabies control officer of the county health department. Whenever the animal control officer has determined that an animal has bitten or attacked a person, the animal control officer shall promptly notify the county health department of the bite or attack and shall cooperate with the health department in its impounding and quarantining the animal. No impoundment facility maintained by the city or under contract to the city shall be required to impound an animal known to have bitten a human being and suspected of having rabies.
(c) If the animal control officer determines that an animal has dangerous propensities or is a nuisance as defined in section 4-32, or that it has attacked someone either
(i) without provocation or
(ii) without causing serious bodily harm, the animal control officer shall notify the owner or keeper by serving a written notice upon such person to confine the animal to the owner's or keeper's premises within five days of the notice in a securely enclosed and locked pen. The pen must have all sides six feet high or a secure top. If the pen has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides must be embedded into the ground at least one foot deep. The premises must be clearly posted giving notice that a dangerous animal is kept on the property. Failure to comply within the five-day period shall be cause to seize and dispose of the animal as set forth in subsection (d) below.
(d) If the animal control officer determines there has been a violation of (c) above, then the animal control officer shall notify the owner or keeper immediately in writing, if the owner or keeper is known. The owner or keeper shall turn the animal over to the animal control officer immediately after the notification. If the owner or keeper fails to promptly surrender the animal, such person may be arrested for a violation of this section and the animal may be seized pending trial. Upon final determination orconviction, the animal control officer may dispose of the animal by:
(i) the humane destruction of the animal, or
(ii) by giving the animal to an individual or organization not within the limits of the city, subject to protective and inspection conditions required by the contract enforcement agency, for the well-being of the animal and the protection of the public. An animal declared to be a vicious or dangerous animal shall not be disposed of for research or experimental purposes. (e) This section does not apply to animals of licensed security companies on patrol in a confined area or animals used for law enforcement purposes by law enforcement officers. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-34. Emergency custody of attacking animals.
(a) Whenever the animal control officer or a police officer receives credible information that a dog or other animal has attacked savagely and brutally a human being or domestic pet, and the whereabouts of the attacking animal is known, the animal control officer shall have the emergency authority to enter the exterior area of private premises to retrieve the animal. The term exterior area shall mean any part of the premises which is outside the close of the residence, commercial building or other enclosed structure. The consent of the animal owner or the lawful occupant of the premises is not necessary to seize the attacking animal. No warrant shall be required under these circumstances, and it shall be unlawful to resist or interfere with the animal control officer or police office in taking such action.
(b) Upon taking custody of the animal, the animal control officer shall provide to its owner a written notice of the basis for the seizure, shall arrange for the animal's humane custody and confinement pending a hearing before the municipal judge, and shall notify the animal owner as soon as feasible of the expected hearing date, which shall be no later than five days from the date of seizure, unless the municipal judge shall determine there is compelling reasons to extend the date. Leaving the written notice reasonably secure at the front or primary entrance to the house or structure on the property where the animal is seized, shall be sufficient delivery to the owner if the owner is not present or if the owner's location can not be determined.
(c) At the hearing the animal control officer or police officer, or other representative of the city, city shall present evidence, if any, that the animal presents a clear and imminent threat to public safety and that the on premises facilities for confining the attacking animal are not reliably sufficient to restrain the animal or to prevent its release by persons choosing to do so. The animal owner shall be afforded an opportunity to rebut the evidence.
(d) If the judge finds that the animal is by virtue of the known attack a dangerous or vicious animal, as defined in section 4-1, then the judge shall order that the animal shall be banned from the City of Greenville, regardless of the confinement precautions otherwise in place, and the judge shall order the animal removed from the city or destroyed, and if the animal is to be removed from the city then precautions against its re-entry shall be established to the full extent feasible. If the animal is not destroyed or removed as ordered by the judge, then it shall be a violation of this Code to possess the animal or to allow it to run at large, and each day of a continuing violation shall be a separate violation, punishable as otherwise provided for under this Code.
(e) In lieu of a bench trial, the animal owner may elect to have a jury trial on the facts of the dangerous nature of the animal. Pending the jury trial, the municipal judge shall make arrangements that are just and fair for the retention of the animal.
(Ord. No. 2005-50, Exh., 6-13-05) Secs. 4-35--4-40. Reserved.

ARTICLE III. IMPOUNDMENT, FEES, AND PENALTIES

Sec. 4-41. Impoundment.
(a) Picking up stray and vicious animals. Any person on whose property a vicious, abandoned, or stray animal or animal running at large is found may seize the animal and deliver it to the designated animal shelter or like facility for impoundment or contact the animal control officer for pickup. Where an animal is not vicious or dangerous, but harmless and non-threatening to persons or animals, has been inoculated with a proper and effective rabies vaccine, and carries a license tag securely fastened to its collar, the animal control officer may issue to the known owner or keeper of the animal a notice of ordinance violation in lieu of impoundment.
(b) Notice to owners or keepers. Upon impoundment of the animal, the animal control officer shall exercise due diligence to ascertain and notify by reasonable means the owner or keeper of the animal's impoundment. If the owner or keeper claims the animal within five business days of impoundment, the animal control officer shall notify such person of the terms for the animal's release.
(c) Release of impounded animals. An owner or keeper may obtain release of the impounded animal within five business days of impoundment upon satisfactory proof of ownership, by payment of an impoundment fee and boarding fee per animal, as listed in the fee schedule fixed from time to time by the city council and upon presentation of a current rabies inoculation certificate.
(d) Period of impoundment and disposition of unclaimed animals. An impounded animal which remains unclaimed by an owner or keeper after five business days shall be deemed abandoned and shall automatically and irrevocably become the sole property of the city to convey, devise, dispose by euthanasia as the animal control officer determines appropriate in accordance with this chapter.
(e) Disposition of vicious animals. If the animal is vicious, dangerous, or a threat to staff maintaining custody or to other impounded animals, the animal control officer shall have discretion to reduce the duration of time of impoundment in order to exercise property rights, convey, devise, dispose, or destroy the animal.
(f) Unauthorized release from impoundment. No person may release from impoundment any animal placed by the animal control officer in impoundment, without meeting the requirements of this article. In extraordinary circumstances, the city manager may for good cause shown waive the payment of a fee for impoundment, provided such waiver does not result in a contract enforcement agency bearing the cost of impoundment.
(Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-42. Enforcement.
(a) Notification of nuisance. When a complaint has been lodged against an animal that has committed a nuisance act only, the owner or keeper of the animal shall be notified.
(1) By personal delivery of written notice to the owner or keeper of the animal, or by leaving written notice at the usual place of abode of the owner or keeper with a person of suitable age and discretion; or
(2) By depositing in the United States Mail the notice addressed to the owner or keeper at such person's last known address,
(b) Procedure for search warrant and seizure. A search warrant may be issued by a municipal court judge authorized to issue warrants upon the judge's determination that there is probable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter in any particular building, premises or place exists or has occured. The search warrant shall authorize any law enforcement officer, accompanied by the animal control officer, to search the building or place, but no search shall be made after sundown unless specifically authorized by the judge upon satisfactory cause. The animal control officer may examine the animal and take possession of the animal upon determining grounds for taking possession or custody exist under this chapter. The animal control officer may also pursue any additional violations of this chapter as may be ascertained as a result of the search or seizure.
(c) Disposition. Domesticated animals, whether abandoned, vicious, running at large or mistreated shall be disposed of in accord with property rights acquired by the city under subsections 4-31(d) and (e), and the city's general power to preserve and protect order, peace, safety, and public health. Any facility to which a captured or wild animal is submitted shall exercise due diligence to return a wild animal to its natural environment, or if the animal is not suitable for return, then the facility operator shall use due diligence in seeking alternative and humane placement outside city limits, prior to disposing of the animal as otherwise permitted. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-43. Penalty.
Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined or imprisoned as provided in section 1-5. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Sec. 4-44. Fees and charges.
(a) City council shall from time to time set fees for impoundment and other services reasonably associated with impoundment. The fees may distinguish between spayed female and neutered male animals and those animals which have not been surgically treated to prevent reproduction or conception.
(b) Any fee or charge made by the city under this article for the administration of this article or for reimbursement of expenses incurred shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any criminal penalty. (Ord. No. 98-39, § 1, 6-8-98)

Animal Control Operations

Who We Serve

Animal control and enforcement is provided to everyone within the city limits of Greenville.

Dog/ Cat Licensing

A current metal rabies tag, issued by a licensed veterinarian within the State of South Carolina, shall be considered a license for dogs and cats within the city limits of Greenville. The tag shall at all times be attached to a collar or harness worn by the dog for which the rabies certificate and tag has been issued. In other words, your rabies tag is your pet’s license.

Leash Law/Off Leash Area

It is a violation of the City Ordinance for a dog to run at large beyond the limits of a person’s land or the land lawfully occupied or controlled by the owner or keeper. An animal is considered under restraint when it is on the premises of its owner or keeper or when it is accompanied by its owner or keeper and under the physical control of such person by means or a leash or similar type device (i.e. rope, etc.)

The City of Greenville does have an area where dogs are able to run off leash at the Dog Park located at 1 Cleveland Park Dr. The Dog Park, located directly across from 126 Woodland Way in Cleveland Park, was dedicated September 16th 2006 after Leadership Greenville Class XXV proposed the plan and raised $28K for its construction. It is a half acre fenced in lot, and is the only place in Greenville where dogs are allowed to run without being under the physical restraint of their owners. The many amenities of the Dog Park include: Double entrance gates to ensure dogs cannot escape, large shade trees, benches and swings for owners, canine water fountain, bags to pick up after your dog, and parking beside the South entrance. Well socialized and well behaved dogs are welcome. All dogs must have their current rabies tag securely attached to their collar before entering the Park and must abide by the City of Greenville Animal Control Ordinances (Chapter 4; Articles I, II, & III).

Lost/Found Animals

All stray animals picked up within the city limits of Greenville by Animal Control are transported and housed at the Greenville County Animal Care Services & Greenville Humane Society (GCACS & GHS) located at 328 Furman Hall Road.

The animals will be held at the GCACS & GHS for 5 days after which they become the property of the GCACS & GHS. Once the animal becomes their property, it will be at their discretion as to weather or not the animal will be placed up for adoption.

If you have lost your animal, please check our Web Site to see if we have posted a picture of your animal picked up as running at large within the city limits of Greenville.

There is a fine incurred for animals running at large within the city. To reclaim an animal that was picked up for running at large, a valid rabies tag/certificate must be presented.

Emergencies

After hours Animal Control services are provided on a case by case basis. Contact the Greenville Police Department at telephone number 271-5333.

Nuisance Animals

When an animal disturbs the rights of, threatens the safety of, or injures a member of the general public, damages property, or interferes with the ordinary use and enjoyment of the property of others in the vicinity of where the animal is kept or properties affected by its running at large, it is considered to be a nuisance. Examples of nuisance actions but not limited to are:

(1) Allowing or permitting an animal to damage the property of anyone other than its owner or keeper, or to impede the property's ordinary use and enjoyment, even if the property is not physically damaged.

(2) Maintaining an animal that habitually or repeatedly chases, snaps at, or attacks persons, bicycles, or vehicles, or maintaining any animal whose behavior constitutes a reasonable risk of injuring a human or other animal.

(3) Maintaining property in a manner which results in an environment of unsanitary conditions causing offensive odors, filth, vermin, or disease; or is dangerous to the animal or the public health, safety or welfare of the community because of the number, type, variety, density, or location of the animals on the property.

(4) Allowing or permitting an animal to bark, whine, howl, crow or cackle in an excessive, continuous, or unreasonable fashion, or to make other noise in a manner so as to result in a serious interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of neighboring premises.

Any pet owner who’s animal is found to be in violation of the Nuisance Animal Ordinance can result in a fine and possible impoundment of the animal causing the nuisance.

Wildlife

As stated previously, Animal Control can respond to a limited variety of wildlife typically found in the city environment. Typical animals that we respond to are raccoons, opossums, injured birds and small injured animals.

If you have a small, healthy animal loose in your home, we will not be able to assist you. In these cases an exterminator will be your best choice. The smallest traps Animal Control has available are designed for cats and will not work on squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs or rats. Again, the best choice to help you would be an exterminator.

Rabies Control

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Rabies Control Section is responsible for the quarantine or animals that have bitten. However, City Animal Control does assist in this function for animals within the city limits of Greenville. Dogs can either be quarantined at the City of Greenville facility or at the owner’s veterinary clinic at their own expense. If the animal is quarantined at the City’s facility, there will be a fee of $10.00 a day per animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an Animal Control Officer out to my house?
Call the non-emergency Police dispatch number at 271-5333. The dispatcher will assist you with your problem and will notify the Animal Control Officer who will respond to your home or incident location.
What are your hours?
Normal hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. These times change during daylight savings hours to 8 am to 7 pm. in order to be more responsive to the needs of the citizens of the city.
What do I do if I have an animal problem on the weekend or after hours during the weekday?
Call the Greenville Police at 271-5333. The dispatcher will send out a Police Officer to deal with the situation. If the Police Officer thinks an Animal Control Officer needs to be called out, they will then notify dispatch.
What do I do if my pet comes up missing?
Go to the Greenville County Animal Care Services & Greenville Humane Society located at 328 Furman Hall Road to see if Animal Control has picked up your pet. You have five days to reclaim your animal before it becomes the property of the GCACS & GHS to dispose of as they deem appropriate.
Does my dog have to be on a leash?
Yes, anytime your dog is off your property, it must be on a physical restraining device such as a leash. Electronic devices/shock collars are not appropriate physical restraint and are not permissible.
Do I need a license for my pet?
Yes. The rabies vaccination tag is used as a license. It must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within the state of South Carolina and be current for the animal to which it was issued. The tag must be displayed on your pet at all times, not matter where your dog is in the City.
What do I do if I find an animal?
Animal Control will pick up all stray animals at your home. You can also take the animal to the GCACS & GHS yourself if you so desire. The animal will be housed there for a period of five days. If the owner fails to claim the animal within five days, the animal then becomes the property of the GCACS & GHS.
What kinds of wildlife do you deal with?
Animal Control can respond to a limited variety of wildlife typically found in the city. Please read the Wildlife section for more information.
Why does the City not have an ordinance against cats roaming off their owner’s property?
Cats provide a great service by ridding the city of unwanted rodents that can infest homes, garages, barns, and garbage disposal areas. These are great sources for food, shelter and warmth for these pests. If you have a problem with nuisance cats, see Article II, Section 4-32 of the city ordinance for further information on the next step to take for dealing with problem cats.