LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
Current Legislation Issues
NC - in North Carolina we are currently faceing a possible issue with NC Wildlife Commission and the state legislation. There are proposals being discussed at District Wildlife meetings and some areas of NC are being affected more than others by the proposals. The one major issue is the ability for an owner or handler of a dog can be ticketed by wildlife if their dog is caught trespassing onto land you do not have permission to hunt on. Written proof would be required. Unfortunately we have some game wardens around the state that are not hound hunting friendly and would love this law to pass and you notice I say LAW. Laws pertaining to dogs can only be passed by the state legislature and the local counties in NC. County laws can not be less than a state law, however, the county law can be stronger than the state law. Please keep us aprised of the issues that come up in you area or district if you attend or have attended these meetings. If you are unaware of the proposals please visit the NC Wildlife Commission website at:
SC - S.223 Please read the following as posted on the SC Coonhunters State Association Website this proposal is going to be brought before the SC State Senate.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATOR!!!!!!!!!
The underlined is the recommended change, the bold is what the bill would delete. This would give the ASPCA the right to investigate w/out the animal control officer of the county being there. And it looks like they could do so without a warrant. Please contact your senators and voice your concerns on this one.
SECTION 3. Section 47-1-130 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 47-1-130. (A) Any person violating the laws in relation to cruelty to animals may be arrested and held, without warrant, in the same manner as in the case of persons found breaking the peace.
(B) A person acting as an agent of the South Carolina Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or any society duly incorporated for that purpose, may only arrest a person for a violation of this chapter if he has been vested with the power to arrest by a sheriff or the governing body of a county or municipality, but he may assist with a lawful investigation of alleged violations of this chapter, accompany law enforcement officers making arrests for a violation of this chapter, participate with law enforcement officers in the seizure of animals pursuant to a lawful arrest, and take custody of animals pursuant to Section 47-1-120."
SECTION 4. Section 47-1-140 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 47-1-140. The person making the arrest, with or without warrant, shall use reasonable diligence to give notice to the owner of the animals found in the charge or custody of the person arrested, if the person is not the owner, and shall care and provide properly for the animals. The person making such arrest shall have a lien on the animals for the expense of such care and provision. But if such person making the arrest be an agent of the South Carolina Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or other society incorporated for that purpose, the provisions of Section 47-1-120 shall apply in lieu of the provisions of this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an animal may be seized preceding an arrest and pursuant to Section 47-1-150."
SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.