Is it legal to own a kangaroo in South Carolina? Here’s what a lawyer says
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A viral story about a pet kangaroo getting loose in Horry County has raised many questions.
Chief among them is whether or not it’s legal to own a kangaroo in South Carolina to begin with.
Turns out, it is.
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“South Carolina law is really unique in the fact that it actually allows individuals to have their farms,” attorney Tom Winslow said in an interview on Monday. “And so what’s allowed on their farms. They can have all kinds of items there....kangaroos are allowed, monkeys are allowed, emus are allowed.”
Winslow also pointed out the responsibility of those who want to keep more exotic animals as pets, especially when they get loose.
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“It’s actually the responsibility of the person that had that animal,” he said. “It’s a piece of property that you were negligent and allowing to be released.”
Winslow said that even though a goat on the same farm let the kangaroo out, the owners would still have been legally liable if anything else happened.
“It’s like a movie, but you’re responsible,” he said.
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While the South Carolina Department of Public Health strongly discourages owning wild animals as pets, Winslow explained that those who do need to realize what they’re getting into.
“I mean, always be aware that you’re responsible for the property,” he said. “You’re responsible for the items and the animals that you have, and if they do cause harm, you have that liability that’ll fall on you.”
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