UPDATE: South Carolina House Bill 4611 was reported favorably by the House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs Committee on February 28, 2024. This bill seeks to make it an offense for a person to intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other electronic device that was placed on a dog by its owner. Pending any interim action, the bill will advance to the SC House of Representatives.
H 4611 was amended in committee to include that the provisions of the bill do not apply when an electronic collar or other electronic tracking device placed on a dog by its owner is removed or destroyed for the reasonable administration of medical assistance given to the dog.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports this bill, which will help lost dogs be identified and reunited with their owners by making it a misdemeanor for a person who does not own a dog to remove or destroy the dog’s electronic collar, such as a GPS collar, electronic containment collar, pet tracking tag, or similar device.
What You Can Do:
South Carolina dog owners are encouraged to contact their state representatives and ask them to vote yes on H 4611. If you don’t know who represents you, click here and scroll down to “Find Your Legislators.” Enter your address, click “Find Legislators,” then view “Your South Carolina State Representative is.” Click on your representative’s name to view their contact information.
Please also take a moment to thank the representatives who took action to protect dogs by sponsoring H 4611: Representatives William M. “Bill” Hixon, Chairman, House Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee; Thomas E. “Tommy” Pope; Donald E. “Don” Chapman; Bill Taylor; Kevin Hardee; Gary S. Brewer, Jr.; Robby Robbins; and Gil Gatch.
For additional information, please contact AKC Government Relations at 919-816-3645 or pvs@akc.org.