Changes could be coming to Charleston County animal welfare ordinance

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — After the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office responded to an animal check on Johns Island last week, county leaders are now discussing updating their animal welfare ordinances.

Charleston County deputies conducted an animal welfare check at a residence on Sandhill Road on May 13 and found 25 canines in at least 15 kennels, according to an incident report.

Deputies said the animals had adequate food and water and appeared healthy, but the kennels were deemed not suitable for outdoor use.

Each of the animals was removed from the property to better conditions, with the owner’s cooperation. No charges were filed.

The incident sparked public concern and led to Charleston County Councilmember Joe Boykin and Sheriff Carl Ritchie discussing updating the county ordinance.

The incident sparked public concern on social media, and officials are now looking at changes to the county’s ordinance to give animal control officers clearer guidelines on how to respond to situations like the one on Johns Island.

“We found there was a gap in the coverage of our ordinances to cover a situation like this where the animals were in good health and were not in distress at the moment, but it was a situation where the owner was not in a position to maintain the proper care for the animals, and they probably would have likely found themselves in the distress,” said Charleston County Councilmember Joe Boykin of District 8.

Pet Helpers, a James Island animal shelter where five of the dogs are now housed, applauded Boykin’s effort in a May 19 statement.

“Any new laws that work to improve the lives and treatment of animals in our community are a step in the right direction,” the group wrote.

Boykin said he and Ritchie plan to meet with community partners to help craft the legislation.

“We’re scheduling a meeting next week and inviting in some more subject matter experts from Pet Helpers and mental health to weigh in, craft the wording, and make sure we have the coverage in there, so we know we’re providing for those animals and those owners, too,” he said. “We don’t want this to be punitive; we want it to be where if someone is in this situation, we can offer services to them so these animals can be properly taken care of.”

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office released a statement saying in part: “The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office wants the community to know that we take this situation seriously. Deputies with the CCSO animal control unit work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all living things throughout the county, making sure they are cared for as if they were their own.”

Any changes to the ordinance would need to be approved by the county council.