New Myrtle Beach-area animal welfare group rightto advocate for stronger S.C. laws

The barbarous treatment of Buddha illustrates the depravity of human behavior and the need to strengthen South Carolina’s animal welfare and protection laws. A resident of unincorporated Horry County found her dog in “obvious stress.” The pit bull’s condition worsened and Buddha was examined by a veterinarian who found the dog’s back was infected from potential chemical burns.

Buddha is being treated aggressively, according to Horry County police, and may need skin grafts and cosmetic surgery. Regardless of what one may think of pit bulls – and the breed’s reputation, which is based on misinformation, not facts – the degenerate who threw or put chemicals on the dog had no right to do that. We hope the culprit is found, charged, convicted and ordered – at a minimum – to pay all of the cost of treatment.

One of the goals of a new animal welfare group, Animal Voice Alliance, is to educate the public, including urging anyone who sees animal abuse to report it. “If we are talking to and educating the public it makes a difference and it starts with one person,” AVA director Jen Seay told a group of members at a meeting in Carolina Forest. “Our goal is to change [state laws] and we will be working as a group. We want to strengthen animal welfare laws in South Carolina, specifically in Horry and Georgetown counties.”

Grassroots action can have positive results, because legislators pay attention to their constituents. “Grassroots work is vital,” says Kim Kelly, S.C. state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We have a bill on the cost of care” of confiscated animals. S 680 is sponsored by two Horry County senators, Luke Rankin of Myrtle Beach and Greg Hembree of Little River. The legislation will give nonprofit shelters and other entities an important tool in requiring owners to pay for the care of confiscated animals.

Kelly notes that food, shelter and medical care for large numbers of animals quickly adds up. What happens now, is that owners of confiscated animals have “a terrific bargaining chip” to force reduction of charges, say from felony to misdemeanor, in exchange for relinquishing ownership.

All 4 Paws spent $28,100 in veterinary care for dogs seized before they were adopted. Horry County authorities seized animals in three cases in March, including 146 dogs in what has been described as a puppy mill. That situation, in Conway, helped trigger organization of Animal Voice Alliance. “It’s really great that groups are forming and speaking out,” Kelly says.

In addition to the cost-of-care bill (S 680), Hembree says “we’re very close to filing” a comprehensive bill that addresses oversight of shelters and other concerns of animal advocates, including puppy mills. The legislation, which Hembree expects to file this week, is “patterned after a Tennessee law. We’ve made some good progress.” The Senate Agriculture Committee last year held four hearings around the state and heard from 120 witnesses.

Freshman Rep. Jeff Johnson of Horry County also has filed a bill (H 4120) in the House which deals with standards for commercial dog breeders, Kelly says. “The Horry County delegation is coming on strong on animal welfare legislation.”

Animal Voice Alliance plans monthly meetings, peaceful protests and rallies, such as one planned on May 30 at the capitol building in Columbia. Strengthening the state’s protection of animals will require legislators to join with Horry senators and representatives.

We encourage area folks interested in the welfare of animals to join with AVA and others around the state to form additional advocacy alliances and let their legislators know it’s an important issue.

This story was originally published May 15, 2015 at 10:42 AM with the headline "New Myrtle Beach-area animal welfare group rightto advocate for stronger S.C. laws."