Pets & Animals
834 Beaufort St NE • Aiken, SC 29801 • 803-642-7620
City of Aiken Laws & Ordinances Regarding Pets & Animals
While we have not included all the laws and ordinances covering animals & pets below you will find some of the common questions and answers that residents have inquired about.
A neighborhood dog barks non-stop. Can something be done about this?
Yes. The action of an animal constitutes a public nuisance under this section when it disturbs the rights, threatens the safety, or damages a member of the general public, or interferes with the ordinary use and enjoyment of his property or public property or areas. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, possess or maintain an animal in such a manner as to constitute or allow it to become a public nuisance. In addition, the following acts or actions by an owner of any animal are hereby declared to be a public nuisance under this section and to be unlawful: (6) Allowing or permitting an animal to bark, whine, howl, yowl, crow, or cackle continuously for ten minutes or longer, or make other noise in such a manner so as to result in a serious annoyance or interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of adjoining or nearby properties. Section 8-8:6
I just accidentally hit an animal with my vehicle. Do I need to report it?
Yes. It shall be unlawful for any person accidentally or otherwise to strike an animal with a vehicle or other instrument, injure the animal, and leave the scene of the incident without immediately notifying an animal control officer, public safety officer, or other official of the city. Any animal received by the animal control shelter in critical condition from wounds, injuries or disease may be destroyed if the owner cannot be located within two hours of receipt of the animal at the shelter. If the animal is in severe pain, it may be euthanized immediately, at the discretion of the animal control superintendent or an animal control officer. Section 8-9
Can I shoot squirrels in my yard with my pellet gun?
No. It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to hunt, kill, shoot or attempt to shoot, wound, injure, abuse or molest any bird, wild fowl or squirrel, or to rob bird nests; provided, however, if squirrels, starlings, English sparrows or any other birds or wild fowl are found to be congregating in such numbers in a particular locality of the city that they constitute a nuisance or menace to health or property in the opinion of the director of public safety, it shall be so declared by such director. Such squirrels or birds then may be destroyed or removed in such numbers and in such a manner as is deemed advisable by the director of public safety. Squirrel removal may be performed by humane trapping. Section 8-16
Can I keep chickens on my property?
Yes. Fowl shall be kept in a secure enclosure located at least 40 feet from any residence other than that of the owner thereof, and so constructed as to prevent such fowl from leaving the owner’s premises. Owners of fowl must also comply with all applicable federal, state and local health regulations. Section 8-12
Can I keep a pet pig on my property?
No. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep swine within the city. Section 8-13
Can I keep my horse hitched overnight in a parkway?
No. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any cattle, horses, mules, hogs, goats, sheep or other livestock to allow such livestock to be hitched, grazed, or run at-large in any of the streets, highways or parks within the city. Section 8-14
For further information and to view the entire chapter of the City of Aiken’s Code of Ordinances on animals (Chapter 8) see http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientID=10724&stateID=40&statename=South%20Carolina