It is illegal to sell flesh-eating mammals other than dogs, cats and ferrets in South Carolina.

But unlike many other states, South Carolina has not banned the owning of wild species. So some people do continue to keep wild animals as pets. Others keep wild/domestic hybrids, which are animals created through the human-forced crossbreeding of a dog or cat with a wild species. And a third group keeps wild animals confined on their property not as pets but for other purposes.

If Your Own Dog, Cat, Ferret, or Other Animal Bit, Scratched, or Wounded Someone

• Confine the animal immediately.
• Apply first aid to the bite wound and seek medical treatment if needed.
• Call your veterinarian to check your animal's vaccination records. Tell your veterinarian about your animal's behavior.

If an Animal Bites You, Breaking the Skin

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before tending to the wound. Wash hands afterwards, too.
• If bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean, dry cloth until the bleeding stops.

If you're bitten or scratched by a wild, stray or unvaccinated animal, care for the wound properly and contact your health care provider. The health care provider is required to report the incident to DPH.

Rabies Exposure Information

• Administer First Aid
• Getting Treatment
• What Will Happen to Animal?

Report All Cases Involving Animal Bites to DPH

If you provide care for a patient who has been bitten by an animal - whether the animal involved is a pet, stray, farm animal, exotic pet or wild animal - you are required to report the name, age, gender, weight, address and telephone number of the person bitten to DPH no later than the end of the next working day.

Rabies in South Carolina

Rabies is a virus (Lyssavirus) that can be transmitted when saliva or neural tissue of an infected animal is introduced into the body of a healthy person or animal. It infects cells in the central nervous system, causing disease in the brain and, ultimately, death.