Dog Bite Laws in South Carolina: What Charleston Pet Owners and Victims Need to Know

Dog bites are more common than most Charleston residents realize. According to CDC figures reported by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and more than 800,000 of those victims receive medical attention. In South Carolina, dog bite incidents are a significant source of serious injury claims — particularly in densely populated areas like the Charleston metro, where off-leash dogs in parks, neighborhoods, and outdoor dining areas create daily risk for residents and visitors alike.

If you or a family member has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Charleston, understanding South Carolina’s dog bite laws is essential to protecting your legal rights. Unlike many states that give dog owners a “free bite” before imposing liability, South Carolina imposes strict liability on dog owners — meaning a victim does not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. This legal framework, combined with the serious medical consequences of dog attacks, makes it critical for both pet owners and bite victims to understand how the law applies.

South Carolina’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Statute

South Carolina’s dog bite statute, codified at S.C. Code § 47-3-110, establishes a strict liability standard for dog owners when their animal attacks a person. The statute provides that if a dog bites or otherwise attacks a person who is in a public place or is lawfully on private property (including the property of the dog’s owner), the owner is liable for the resulting damages regardless of the animal’s prior behavior or the owner’s knowledge of any tendency toward aggression.

This is a powerful protection for victims. Under strict liability, the injured person does not need to prove that the owner was negligent or that the owner had reason to believe the dog might bite. The only elements the victim must establish are:

• The defendant owned or had custody of the dog.
• The dog bit or attacked the victim.
• The victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property.

This strict liability framework is a significant advantage for dog bite victims compared to the laws in many other states that require proof that the owner knew or should have known the dog was aggressive. In South Carolina, the mere fact that the dog attacked is enough to establish the owner’s liability — there is no need to investigate the dog’s history or prove the owner failed to take precautions. The owner can avoid liability only by showing the victim provoked or harassed the dog and that this provocation was the proximate cause of the attack.

Owner Liability Without Prior Knowledge of Aggression

One of the most important features of South Carolina’s dog bite law is that the owner is liable even if the dog has never shown any signs of aggression before. There is no “one free bite” rule in South Carolina. A dog that has been gentle and well-behaved its entire life can still trigger full legal liability for its owner if it bites someone without provocation.

This stands in contrast to states that follow the common-law “one-bite rule,” where an owner is only liable if they had prior knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities. In those jurisdictions, a victim who is bitten by a dog with no history of aggression may have a difficult or impossible case. South Carolina’s statute eliminates this barrier entirely.

The practical effect for Charleston pet owners is significant: every dog owner bears the financial risk of an attack from the moment they take ownership of the animal. This makes homeowner’s or renter’s insurance coverage for dog bite liability an essential consideration. According to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), homeowners and renters policies typically cover dog bite liability up to the policy’s liability limit, but some insurers will not cover breeds they classify as dangerous. Triple-I counted 28,450 dog-related claims nationally in 2025, at an average of $65,450 per claim. Pet owners should review their policies carefully and consider umbrella coverage if they own breeds that some insurers classify as higher risk.

For victims, the strict liability standard means the case often comes down to establishing the extent of damages rather than fighting over whether the owner is liable at all. An experienced Charleston dog bite lawyer can focus the claim on documenting medical expenses, lost income, scarring, and emotional trauma — the elements that determine the value of the case.

When Landlords Can Be Held Liable

Dog bite liability in South Carolina does not always fall solely on the pet owner. Landlords can also bear legal responsibility, but only in narrow circumstances, which matters in the Charleston rental market where a significant percentage of residents are tenants.

South Carolina landlords are generally not liable for a tenant’s dog. Knowing the dog was vicious and being able to end the lease is not enough (Mitchell v. Bazzle, 1991). In Clea v. Odom (2011), the South Carolina Supreme Court recognized two exceptions. The first applies when both of these are true:

• The landlord knew the dog was dangerous — for example, from a prior attack or complaints from neighbors or other tenants — and did nothing to remedy it.
• The landlord had control over common areas — such as hallways, courtyards, or shared yards in multi-unit properties — where the attack occurred.

That common-area claim is a premises liability negligence claim, so the victim must prove the landlord knew about the danger and failed to take reasonable steps to address it. The second exception is a landlord who took on the care or keeping of the dog; that landlord can be strictly liable under § 47-3-110. While negligence is a higher burden than strict liability, it provides an additional source of recovery, particularly in cases where the dog owner lacks sufficient insurance or assets to cover the victim’s damages.

South Carolina vs. Georgia Dog Bite Laws: Key Differences

Charleston is roughly 100 miles from the Georgia line, and many Lowcountry residents travel regularly between Charleston and Savannah. Because Roden Law serves clients in both South Carolina and Georgia, understanding the differences between these two states’ dog bite laws is important for anyone who spends time in both jurisdictions.

The most significant difference is the liability standard. In Georgia, a dog bite victim generally must prove either that the owner knew the dog had dangerous propensities or that the dog was at large in violation of a local leash law. This creates a higher hurdle for Georgia victims, particularly in first-bite situations where the dog has no history of aggression. South Carolina’s strict liability statute eliminates this obstacle entirely, making it substantially easier for victims to establish the owner’s legal responsibility.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can cause far more serious injuries than many people expect. The strongest bite measured in one study of pet dogs exceeded 300 pounds of force, and the tearing nature of a dog attack — where the animal often shakes its head after biting — produces devastating tissue damage that goes well beyond a simple puncture wound.

The most common injuries seen in Charleston dog bite cases include:

Lacerations and Tissue Damage

Lacerations and puncture wounds are the most common dog bite injuries. A dog’s teeth can tear through skin, muscle, and connective tissue, creating jagged wounds that are difficult to repair and prone to significant scarring. These injuries often require surgical debridement — the removal of damaged tissue — followed by layered closure, and many victims require multiple revision surgeries to achieve the best possible cosmetic outcome.

Infections

Dog bite wounds carry a high risk of infection because the puncture nature of many bites drives bacteria deep into the tissue where topical treatment cannot reach. Common infections include Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and in rare but serious cases, Capnocytophaga, which can cause sepsis in immunocompromised individuals. Infection can lead to prolonged hospitalization, intravenous antibiotic therapy, and additional surgical intervention to drain abscesses or remove infected tissue.

Scarring and Disfigurement

Even with prompt medical treatment, dog bite wounds frequently result in permanent scarring. The irregular tearing pattern of a dog attack makes clean closure difficult, and the resulting scars are often raised, discolored, and conspicuous. For victims who suffer facial injuries, the cosmetic and psychological impact can be profound — affecting self-esteem, social interactions, and professional opportunities for years or even permanently.

Children’s Facial Injuries

Children are disproportionately affected by dog bites and are far more likely than adults to suffer injuries to the face, head, and neck. A child’s shorter stature puts their face at the same level as many dogs, and children are less likely to recognize warning signs of aggression. Facial dog bite injuries in children can require years of reconstructive surgery as the child grows, and the emotional trauma of a dog attack can cause lasting anxiety, nightmares, and fear of animals that may require professional counseling.

Nerve Damage and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Severe dog attacks can cause nerve damage that results in numbness, tingling, or loss of function in the affected area. In the most violent attacks — particularly those involving large breeds that knock victims to the ground — the victim may strike their head on pavement or other hard surfaces, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Falls during dog attacks are especially dangerous for elderly victims, who may suffer hip fractures, spinal injuries, or subdural hematomas in addition to the bite wounds themselves.

Damages Available to Dog Bite Victims

South Carolina law allows dog bite victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. The full scope of damages available includes:

• Medical expenses — emergency room treatment, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescription medications, and all future medical costs related to the injury, including reconstructive or cosmetic surgery.
• Lost wages and earning capacity — compensation for income lost during recovery and, in cases involving permanent disability or disfigurement, diminished future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering — compensation for the physical pain caused by the bite, subsequent medical treatment, and the ongoing discomfort of recovery.
• Emotional distress — the psychological impact of the attack, including anxiety, fear of dogs, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and sleep disturbances.
• Scarring and disfigurement — compensation for permanent scarring, particularly for visible scars on the face, hands, or arms that affect the victim’s appearance and self-image.
• Loss of enjoyment of life — the diminished ability to participate in activities the victim enjoyed before the attack, such as outdoor recreation, exercise, or spending time with animals.

In cases where a dog attack results in a fatality — which, while rare, does occur, particularly with attacks on young children or elderly victims — the victim’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim against the dog’s owner. Wrongful death damages in South Carolina can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and mental anguish suffered by surviving family members.

Comparative Fault and Provocation Defenses

The most common defense raised in South Carolina dog bite cases is provocation. Under S.C. Code § 47-3-110, if the victim provoked or harassed the dog and that provocation was the proximate cause of the attack, the statute does not apply at all. Provocation can include hitting, kicking, teasing, or otherwise deliberately antagonizing the animal. Because the provocation must actually have caused the attack, ordinary conduct — walking past a dog or approaching it calmly — is unlikely to qualify, though each case turns on its facts.

Even when full provocation is not established, the dog owner may argue that the victim’s conduct contributed to the attack. In a negligence claim — and possibly in a statutory claim — South Carolina’s modified comparative fault rule (Nelson v. Concrete Supply Co.) lets a victim recover damages as long as their share of fault is less than 51 percent. If the victim is found to be 51 percent or more at fault, they are barred from any recovery. If the victim’s fault is below that threshold, their damages are reduced by their percentage of fault. If comparative fault applies, a victim found 20 percent at fault for ignoring warning signs would have their damages reduced by 20 percent.

Georgia applies a stricter comparative fault threshold: a victim must be less than 50 percent at fault to recover (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33). A victim found exactly 50 percent at fault in Georgia receives nothing, while the same victim in South Carolina would still be entitled to 50 percent of their damages. This one-percentage-point difference can be outcome-determinative in close cases.

Filing Deadlines for Dog Bite Claims

Every dog bite victim must be aware of the statute of limitations that governs their claim. Missing the filing deadline means losing the right to pursue compensation entirely, regardless of how strong the case may be.

In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bite cases, is 3 years from the date of the attack (S.C. Code § 15-3-530). In Georgia, the deadline is shorter: 2 years from the date of the injury (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33).

While three years may sound like a generous deadline, there are strong reasons to begin the legal process well before the statute expires. Evidence deteriorates over time — witnesses forget details, medical records become harder to obtain, and the dog may be relocated or rehomed, making it difficult to identify the owner. Animal control reports are most easily obtained shortly after the incident, and early investigation gives your attorney the best opportunity to preserve surveillance footage, photograph the scene, and document your injuries while they are still visible.

Special rules may extend or shorten the deadline in specific situations. A child’s claim in South Carolina generally must be filed by the later of three years from the bite or the child’s 19th birthday (S.C. Code § 15-3-40); in Georgia, by the child’s 20th birthday (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-90). Claims against a government agency — for example, a bite by a county animal shelter dog — must be filed within two years in South Carolina (S.C. Code § 15-78-110), and Georgia requires written notice within 12 months for the State or a county, or 6 months for a city.

How a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help

Dog bite cases involve legal and factual complexities that can be difficult for victims to navigate on their own. Insurance companies that cover dog bite claims — typically through the owner’s homeowner’s insurance — employ experienced adjusters and defense attorneys who are skilled at minimizing payouts. Having a knowledgeable Charleston dog bite attorney on your side levels the playing field and ensures that your claim is valued accurately from the start.

A dog bite lawyer can help with every aspect of your case, including:

• Investigating the attack — obtaining animal control reports, identifying the dog and its owner, documenting the scene, and interviewing witnesses.
• Establishing liability — proving ownership, demonstrating that you were lawfully present when the attack occurred, and defeating provocation defenses.
• Documenting damages — working with medical professionals to calculate current and future treatment costs, consulting with vocational experts on lost earning capacity, and retaining plastic surgeons or dermatologists to assess scarring.
• Negotiating with insurance companies — handling all communication with the owner’s insurer, countering lowball settlement offers, and leveraging the threat of litigation to obtain a fair outcome.
• Pursuing landlord or third-party claims — identifying additional sources of liability and insurance coverage when the dog owner’s resources are insufficient.
• Litigating the case — filing suit and taking the case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.

At Roden Law, we handle all dog bite injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Fees and costs apply only upon successful recovery. No fees or costs with no recovery. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack in Charleston or anywhere in South Carolina, call our Charleston office at (843) 790-8999 or our toll-free line at 1-844-RESULTS for a free, confidential consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a dog owner in South Carolina even if the dog has never bitten anyone before?

Yes. South Carolina’s strict liability statute (S.C. Code § 47-3-110) holds dog owners liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog has any prior history of aggression. There is no “one free bite” rule in South Carolina. As long as you were in a public place or lawfully on private property and did not provoke the dog, the owner is liable for your damages.

What should I do immediately after a dog bite in Charleston?

Seek medical attention right away, even if the wound appears minor — dog bites carry a high risk of infection. Report the bite to local animal control (the Charleston Police Department inside city limits, or the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office) and make sure it reaches the S.C. Department of Public Health, which state law requires within one working day (S.C. Code § 47-5-90). Photograph your injuries, the location of the attack, and the dog if possible. Get the owner’s name, address, and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance information. Then contact a dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal options before speaking with any insurance company.

How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in South Carolina?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in South Carolina, including dog bite cases, is three years from the date of the attack (S.C. Code § 15-3-530). However, beginning the legal process early gives your attorney the best opportunity to preserve evidence and build the strongest possible case.

Can a landlord be held liable for a tenant’s dog bite in South Carolina?

Usually not. South Carolina landlords are generally not liable for a tenant’s dog. A landlord can be liable if the attack happened in a common area the landlord controls and the landlord knew the dog was dangerous and did nothing, or if the landlord took on the care or keeping of the dog, in which case the strict liability statute can apply (Clea v. Odom, 2011).

What if I was partially at fault for the dog bite?

In a negligence claim, South Carolina follows a modified comparative fault system. You can still recover damages as long as your share of fault is less than 51 percent. Your total damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30 percent at fault and your damages are $100,000, you would recover $70,000.

Does homeowner’s insurance cover dog bite claims in South Carolina?

Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies typically include liability coverage for dog bite claims, up to the policy’s liability limit. However, some insurers exclude coverage for certain breeds or impose breed-specific restrictions. The dog owner’s insurance company will typically handle the defense and pay any settlement or judgment up to the policy limits. If the damages exceed the policy limits, the owner is personally responsible for the excess.

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