Colleton County Council tables third reading of animal control ordinance for further revisions

Colleton County Council on Thursday moved to table the third reading of Ordinance 25-0-9, a proposed amendment to Title 6 (Animals) that would expand enforcement authority for the county’s animal services.

The item reached third reading after a public hearing in which no members of the public spoke. An initial motion to adopt the ordinance received a second, but council debate showed members wanted more time to align local code with state requirements. "I've been in discussion with Councilman Murdoch specifically about the animal control ordinance," said an unidentified council member. "So while we have gone through two readings and a public hearing, I think it'd be prudent to allow myself and Councilman Murdoch to work a little more closely together over the next, you know, we'll just say 15, 20 days and propose that possibly the upcoming December meeting if that's agreeable by this council." (Speaker 3, SEG 303-316).

Following that exchange, Speaker 3 moved to lay the ordinance on the table; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. No roll-call vote or individual tallies were provided in the transcript.

Why it matters: The ordinance would give animal services expanded enforcement tools; council members asked for clearer, more comprehensive language and closer review with a named council colleague before returning it for final action. The item is expected to return for further consideration at a future meeting once the sponsor and staff provide revised language.

Next steps: The ordinance was tabled; the council indicated the measure may be revisited at the December meeting after additional drafting and review between the sponsoring members and staff.