South Carolina has some of the most insufficient, destructively tolerant, and negligible animal neglect laws in the entire country. More than 18 US states have completely prohibited the cruel practice of chaining/tethering a dog outdoors for any extended period of time. Furthermore, more than 150 US cities have enacted ordinances against chaining a dog, some completely prohibiting it and others ensuring it is humane and not for elongated periods of time. However, South Carolina does not have a single law addressing this issue, and there are thousands of dogs that are neglected everyday- being left out in the heat/snow/rain, walking back and forth no farther than three feet all day, suffering from flea and tick infestations, becoming limp because of lack of exercise and muscle atrophy. In this state, as long as an animal has access to food, water, and some sort of shelter (can be a cardboard box), than this animal is considered not to be a victim of neglect. Therefore, a dog can be chained up outdoors its entire life without any mental stimulation, without feeling the love of a human or another pet, without the comfort of a warm bed on an icy winter day, he can be freezing, eaten alive by bugs, unable to walk more than a few steps daily- and it is completely legal. I have been personally inspired to create this petition because of a sweet, precious dog near my home who is completely neglected, barely able to stand, nearly bald from flea infestation, yet according to South Carolina's current laws, will be forced to suffer for the rest of its life because the owner is technically not breaking any animal cruelty laws. I have watched in horror as the condition of this dog declines, and I have reached out to several law enforcement and animal control services, who cannot offer any assistance due to current inadequate laws in South Carolina. Just like this one dog, there are thousands of dogs in South Carolina suffering a painful, depressing, grim and bleak daily life, with no end in sight. Please sign and share this petition and help the thousands of dogs robbed of a life in South Carolina every single day.