By Betsy Finklea
Dogs running loose through residential neighborhoods are the concern of many people in the City of Dillon.
Recently, The Herald has had several conversations with residents about this issue. Many of the people that we have talked to report that these are not stray dogs, but instead are dogs with owners who are simply disregarding or ignoring the leash laws or who are unaware of them.
Many residents report that they are afraid to work in and enjoy their yards, afraid to walk through their neighborhoods, or to walk their own dogs on leashes for fear of being confronted by a dog or pack of dogs.
Below is the current leash law and information about impoundment of dogs:

6-14-14 LEASH LAW
(A) It shall be unlawful for any owner or possessor of any dog to allow the dog to run at large, whether wearing a collar and tag or not, within the city. Any and all such dogs found running at large, whether wearing a collar and tag or not, shall be immediately impounded by officers of the city.
(B) Any dog is considered running at large and not under immediate control if it is not on a leash, not at heel, or not beside a competent person and obedient to that person’s commands.
A dog is under control when it is in a vehicle driven or parked, or confined within the property limits of his or her owner.
(C) Whenever any dog is adjudged to be vicious by the municipal court and is subsequently found at large, it shall be the duty of the Police Department to kill the dog.

6-4-17 IMPOUNDMENT.
(A) The dog catcher or any police officer of the city shall have power within discretion to take up and confine or destroy any dog which he may have reason to believe is rabid, badly maimed or is in violation of other sections of this article.
(B) Any dog seized or impounded under any provision of this section shall be detained in the city or county animal shelter. The officers, agents, and employees of the city shall notify the owner of such dog, if known or it they can be reasonably ascertained, that the dog has been impounded.
(1) The owner of any dog impounded one (1) or more times may within a six (6) month period and within three (3) days after notification reclaim such dog upon the payment of a twenty-five dollar ($25) fine; plus payment of five dollars ($5) for each day of impoundment; and payment for the cost of a rabies inoculation and tag, if such is needed.
(C) In the event the dog is not claimed in the time provided herein, the city may offer for the adoption by any person any dog unredeemed or unclaimed by the owner upon payment of the costs as provided herein, and the cost of a rabies inoculation and tag, if such is needed.
(D) If the dog is not claimed by the owner within the time prescribed herein, then the city shall be authorized to dispose of the dog in as humane and painless manner as possible.
(Ord. CM-90-2, passed 3-13-1990; Am. Ord. 06-08, passed 5-8-2006)
Any questions about the leash law ordinance may be directed to Code Enforcement Director Benny Genwright at 843-774-0040, ext. 1012.
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By Betsy Finklea
Pit bull dogs have been a special concern of City of Dillon residents for a number of years. In May 2008, the Dillon City Council passed an ordinance regarding pit bull dogs.
The council deemed pit bull dogs as dangerous dogs. Pitt bull dogs must be registered with the City of Dillon Police Department annually, and the owner must display the metal tag on the dog’s collar at all times. There is a $5 registration fee. Dogs must be registered by June 30th.
Below is the law regarding pit bull dogs:
Section I. Section 6-5-5 (Pit Bull Dog Presumed Dangerous)
There shall be an irrefutable presumption that any dog that is pit bull is a dangerous dog and is therefore subject to the requirements of this ordinance.
Pit bull dog means and includes any of the following dogs:
(a) The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dogs.
(b) The American Staffordshire Bull Terrier  breed of dogs.
(c) The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dogs.
(d) Dogs that have the appearance and characteristics of being predominately of the breed of dogs known as
-Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit
– Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire
-Terrier
Section 6-5-6 (Pit Bull Dog Must Be Registered)
It shall be unlawful for any person to own or have in their possession any pit bull dog within the city limits of Dillon which does not have a current registration tag from the City of Dillon Police Department. It shall be the duty of any person within the city limits of Dillon owning or having in his possession, any pit bull dog, to immediately register their dog with the City of Dillon Police Department.

Section 6-5-7
(Registration Fee)
The owner shall pay a registration fee of $5.00 for a metal tag per each dog. This metal tag shall at all times be kept fastened to the collar of the pit bull dog and shall display the serial number and the year of registration. Each registration tag shall expire on June 30 of each year.

Section 6-5-9
PIT BULL DOGS PROHIBITED ON THE STREETS, PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY, PUBLIC PLACES OF THE CITY OR ON THE PREMISES OF ANOTHER; EXCEPTIONS.
It shall be prohibited and unlawful for any person within the city limits of Dillon to have in his possession any pit bull dog on the streets, public rights-of-way, public places of the city or on the premises of another, at any time, whether wearing a collar and registration tag or not; unless the pit bull dog is on a leash and is under immediate control of a competent person and is obedient to that person’s commands.

Section 6-5-11
Any person violating provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an offense and shall be subject to a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days upon conviction. Each day of violation shall be considered a separate offense. Punishment for violation shall be considered a separate offense.
Questions relating to this ordinance may be directed to Benny Genwright, Code Enforcement Director, 843-774-0040, ext. 1012.