SC: South Carolina
Summary: This is a key model state. H.3034 (Act 130, signed May 15, 2026), "Fargo's, Hyco's, Rico's, Coba's, Wick's, Mikka's, and Bumi's Law," raised the felony for harming police dogs and horses to up to 15 years, made restitution mandatory (purchase, training and vet costs), added a felony for shooting into a K9 vehicle, required police dog bite reports, and created State Accident Fund benefits for K9s: reimbursement of an agency's treatment and care costs for line of duty injury, and a $15,000 lump sum to the agency for a line of duty death. That's the closest thing to state funded "K9 workers' comp" in this group of states.
Body armor
- None found.
Medical & insurance
- S.C. Code § 42-7-90(4), added by H.3034 / Act 130 (2026). Out of the State Accident Fund:
- (a) On proof that a patrol, tracking or detection canine (§ 23-23-140) died from a line of duty injury, a one time $15,000 lump sum goes to the agency responsible for buying and training a new canine.
- (b) On proof of a line of duty injury or illness, the agency is reimbursed for the canine's treatment and care costs.
- Note: the reimbursement goes to the agency, not the handler, and has no dollar cap or appropriation. It covers line of duty injuries and illness only, not retired dogs.
- No K9 EMS treatment or transport statute was found.
Retirement & service limits
- No statute was found.
Post retirement care
- None found. The Accident Fund benefit covers line of duty injuries, not retired dogs.
Penalties for harming police animals
- S.C. Code §§ 47-3-610 to -640, as rewritten by H.3034 (2026):
- § 47-3-610: taunting, tormenting, teasing, beating, striking, drugging, or meddling with a police dog or horse (on duty or in an off duty kennel or stable) is a misdemeanor: up to $1,000 and/or 1 year.
- § 47-3-620(A)(1): torturing, mutilating, injuring, disabling, poisoning or killing one is a felony: $2,000 to $20,000 and up to 15 years.
- § 47-3-620(A)(2): shooting into a vehicle or trailer with a police dog or horse inside is a felony: up to $1,000 and 5 years.
- Mandatory restitution of the full cost of restoring or replacing the animal (purchase, training, vet).
- § 47-3-630 keeps self defense available. § 47-3-640 requires a detailed report every time a police dog bites someone (race, gender, images, outcome), subject to FOIA.
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- Before this law: § 47-3-630 set the felony at $2,000 to $5,000 and 1 to 5 years.
Pending or failed bills
- H.3034 (126th GA), lead sponsor Rep. Neal Collins (R-Easley), plus about 45 cosponsors. Prefiled Dec. 5, 2024. It passed the House 106-2 (Apr. 1, 2026 per the SC Daily Gazette; the date is as reported), passed the Senate 42-1 on Apr. 29, 2026, the House concurred 116-2, and it was ratified May 14 and signed May 15, 2026, effective on signing (Act 130, R169). Rep. Todd Rutherford's amendment added the bite report requirement.
- Companion bills: S.775 (Sen. Elliott, 2026), a $2,000 to $20,000 and 2 to 10 year version, still in Senate Judiciary; S.1100 (Sens. Rankin and Adams, 2026), recommitted to Judiciary on Apr. 29, 2026 (overtaken by H.3034); H.427 (companion, not reviewed).
Sources
- H.3034 (ratified Act text, A130/R169): https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3034.htm ; status: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3034&session=126&summary=B ; May 6, 2026 version: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/3034_20260506.htm ; LegiScan text: https://legiscan.com/SC/text/H3034/id/3410458
- S.1100: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/1100.htm
- S.775: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/775.htm
- SC Daily Gazette (Apr. 1, 2026): https://scdailygazette.com/2026/04/01/sc-house-advances-bill-enhancing-protections-for-police-dogs/
- SC FOP, ceremonial signing: https://scfop.org/2026/05/ceremonial-signing-set-for-new-police-k-9-protection-law/
- Title 47 ch. 3 (code): https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t47c003.php