South Carolina Dog Bite Lawyer

South Carolina’s dog bite statute, S.C. Code § 47-3-110, imposes strict liability upon dog owners. Under the statute, the owner can be held liable for injuries inflicted on a person who is in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner. The victim is not required to prove any fault on the owner’s part, and they can recover damages for bite injuries as well as non-bite injuries (for example, lacerations caused by scratches). However, there are limited exceptions under which the owner would not be held liable, including situations where the victim was provoking the dog or trespassing at the time of the attack, or where a working law enforcement dog is involved.