By HEATHER RUPPE
New language changes to an existing Colleton County ordinance could mean that hunting dogs could be considered running at large even during an active dog hunt.
Colleton County already has an animal ordinance in place. This existing ordinance says that animals are deemed to be “running at large” if the animal is off of its owners’ property and is not under immediate and direct supervision of the owner, including a restraining device. Traditionally in Colleton County, however, hunting dogs have been exempted from this ordinance, as long as the dog owner was actively looking for the animal.
If the new changes are approved by county council, hunting dogs in an active hunt would no longer be exempt and that hunting dog would be considered an animal that is running at large.
Colleton County Council gave first reading to the proposed new changes on Dec. 7th, 2021.
A second reading was scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 4th. Then, a public hearing and subsequent third and final reading was scheduled for this topic on Feb. 1st. However, on Monday, Colleton County Council At-Large Member Gene Whetsell said he was going to ask that the issue be tabled until council got more information on the pending changes. As an at-large representative on Colleton County Council, Whetsell represents all Colleton residents, no matter the district lines.
According to Whetsell, he had received “multiple calls” over the New Year’s Eve holiday from upset and concerned hunters, saying their dogs don’t know how to read property lines.
Whetsell also said these dog owners told him they want to be able to continue to search for their hunting dogs. “I need more information on this,” Whetsell said, on Monday. “I know this ordinance wasn’t sponsored by me.”
The scheduled Jan. 4th Colleton County Council meeting came after this newspaper’s print deadline. However, more information on this topic will be available on our social media sites and in future print issues of this newspaper.
Meanwhile, on social media, dog hunters have taken a very loud stance against any changes being made to the existing ordinance. Comments include hunters asking for an in-person public hearing on the issue, and not a virtual one; asking for dog hunters to contact their councilmen on the issue; and discussion on how GPS isn’t always the best means to track and recoup a roaming hunting dog.
