Legislation introduced in South Carolina by State Senator Greg Hembree would remove protections for the training of hunting dogs. Senate Bill 1042 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources where it awaits a hearing.
Take Action Today! South Carolina sportsmen should contact their state senators and ask them to vote NO on Senate Bill 1042. Washington members can find their legislators by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center.
Current animal-cruelty law in South Carolina provides a clear exemption for the training and hunting activities authorized by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The exemption protects sportsmen from the existing overly broad definition of “causing unnecessary pain or suffering upon any animal.”
The new language from Senator Hembree removes this protection for sporting dog owners. Under the new language, if a hunting dog were to injure itself while hunting, its owner could be held responsible. A dog owner who uses a training collar could be charged with animal abuse. Penalties range from up to 60 days in jail and a $100 fine, or both, for a first offense and up to two years imprisonment and $2,000 fine, or both, for a third offense.
“Sporting dog owners go to great lengths to ensure their dogs are well kept and prepared for any and all conditions they will face in the field,” said Jacob Hupp associate director of the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “By removing all sporting dog protections, the author of this legislation is undermining sporting dog owner’s training programs and potentially criminalizing common hunting and training practices.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.