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H4710 • 2026
Animal Cruelty
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Animal Cruelty
Introduced and read first time ( House Journal-page 63 )
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs ( House Journal-page 63 )
Prefiled
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
Animal Cruelty
2025-2026 Bill 4710: Animal Cruelty - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly 126th Session, 2025-2026 Download This Bill in Microsoft Word Format Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter H. 4710 STATUS INFORMATION General Bill Sponsors: Reps. Burns and Pope Document Path: LC-0197PH26.docx Introduced in the House on January 13, 2026 Currently residing in the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Summary: Animal Cruelty HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS Date Body Action Description with journal page number 12/16/2025 House Prefiled 12/16/2025 House Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs 1/13/2026 House Introduced and read first time ( House Journal-page 63 ) 1/13/2026 House Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs ( House Journal-page 63 ) View the latest legislative information at the website VERSIONS OF THIS BILL 12/17/2025 A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 47-1-40 , RELATING TO ILL-TREATMENT OF ANIMALS GENERALLY, SO AS TO ADD EXCEPTIONS. B e it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: S ECTION 1. S ection 47-1-40 (C) of the S.C. Code is amended to read: ( C) This section does not apply to : ( 1) fowl , ; ( 2) accepted animal husbandry practices of farm operations and the training of animals , ; ( 3) the practice of veterinary medicine , ; ( 4) agricultural practices including, but not limited to, alteration of livestock or poultry to conform with breed or other show standards, dehorning cattle within standards provided by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture , ; ( 5) forestry and silvacultural practices , ; ( 6) wildlife management practices, or activity authorized by Title 50, including an activity authorized by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources or an exercise designed for training dogs for hunting, if repeated contact with a dog or dogs and another animal does not occur during this training exercise ; ( 7) lawful activities conducted for the primary purpose of providing food for human or animal consumption; ( 8) lawful taking of game pursuant to Title 50; ( 9) lawful scientific or medical research; ( 10) zoological operations to include exhibitions; ( 11) national or state organization-sanctioned competitions; ( 12) law enforcement duties, including dog, animal, or rabies control officer duties; ( 13) humane society operations; ( 14) private landowners protecting property; ( 15) defending against any perceived imminent threat of any injury or damage to any person, other animal, or property; ( 16) any simulated fight as part of a motion picture, video, or other digital filming or live artistic performance; and ( 17) pest control practices by a licensed pest control professional . S ECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. ----XX---- This web page was last updated on January 13, 2026 at 2:44 PM