Resident urges Horry County to tighten animal‑protection rules, proposes breeding license and temperature limits

Carol Insulin, a Little River resident, urged Horry County officials to update animal‑protection ordinances to reduce animal suffering and help curb shelter overpopulation. "We're proposing 50 degrees or above," she said, arguing that the current 70°F threshold allows vehicle interiors to become dangerously hot. She also urged prohibiting tethering and penning during forecasted extreme weather and limiting unsecured animals in truck beds to 45 mph with the tailgate closed.

Insulin highlighted shelter capacity and costs as the rationale for the proposals, saying intake at the county shelter is "approximately 300% over capacity" and describing per‑animal costs. She proposed a yearly municipal breeding license requiring inspections and up‑to‑date rabies vaccination checks; revenue from such a license, she said, could offset shelter costs and support low‑cost spay/neuter services, including a second veterinarian at the Horry County care center. She asked council to "review, and please help get these proposals to the next step." The committee heard her request during the public‑comment portion and did not take immediate action on ordinance text at the meeting.

The comment joins broader county efforts to reduce shelter intake: speakers noted most intake includes pit bull mixes and hounds and that the Horry County Animal Care Center currently offers free fixation for those breeds. Insulin recommended mobilizing a free mobile clinic and additional funding to encourage backyard breeders to participate in spay/neuter programs. The county did not adopt any ordinance changes at this session; staff will determine next procedural steps if members request follow‑up.