Joe Cunningham on dog bites in South Carolina
Joe joined Hunter on 92.5 Kickin’ Country’s morning show, Hunter, Jessica & Cush, to talk about dog bites in South Carolina. Listen to the segment below, then read the basics of what South Carolina law says if you or your child is bitten.
The conversation
Hunter sat down with Joe to talk through what happens after a dog bite in South Carolina. Take a listen to the full interview below.
Source: 92.5 Kickin’ Country, Hunter, Jessica & Cush. View on the station’s site.
What the law says about dog bites
South Carolina gives people who are bitten a strong starting point. In most cases you do not have to prove the owner was careless.
Owners are responsible for unprovoked bites SC Code §47-3-110
South Carolina holds dog owners strictly liable when their dog injures someone without provocation. It does not matter whether the owner was negligent or knew the dog was aggressive. The rule applies in public places and on private property, as long as the person bitten was there lawfully and not trespassing.
The main exceptions
If the person bitten provoked or harassed the dog, and that directly caused the attack, the owner may not be liable. The same is true for a law enforcement dog doing its job.
Provocation is often disputed. Insurers sometimes argue that innocent actions, like startling a dog by accident, count as provocation. That is one reason to talk with a lawyer before you give the owner’s insurer a statement.
Who usually pays
Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s homeowner or renter insurance, not out of the owner’s pocket. That matters, because many bites involve a neighbor’s, a friend’s, or a relative’s dog.
How long you have SC Code §15-3-530
You generally have three years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit, though exceptions apply. Claims involving a government entity carry shorter notice deadlines. Because the right deadline depends on the facts, talk to a lawyer early.
What to do right away
The first few days after a bite shape both your recovery and any claim. These steps protect both.
- Get medical care now, even if the wound looks minor. Bites get infected, and records matter later.
- Report the bite to animal control.
- Identify the dog and the owner, and get contact information from anyone who saw it happen.
- Photograph your injuries and the scene, and keep every medical record and bill.
- Do not sign anything from the owner’s insurer, and stay off social media about the incident.
Our South Carolina dog bite lawyer page covers the injuries we handle, how a claim works, and what compensation can include. If you were hurt some other way on someone else’s property, see our premises liability page.
Bitten by a dog in South Carolina?
Call us or send a note about what happened. The consultation is free and confidential, and there is no fee unless we win.
This page provides general information about South Carolina dog bite law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its own facts.