GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1989 SESSION

CHAPTER 773
SENATE BILL 832

AN ACT TO ADOPT THE PLOTT HOUND AS THE OFFICIAL STATE DOG, TO PROVIDE THAT LARCENY OF A DOG IS A CLASS J FELONY, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE TAKING OF A DOG FOR TEMPORARY PURPOSES IS A MISDEMEANOR.

Whereas, it is generally known that the dog is mankind's best friend; and
Whereas, the Plott Hound breed originated in the mountains of North Carolina in 1750 and is the only breed known to have originated in this State; and
Whereas, the Plott Hound is a legendary hunting dog known as a most courageous fighter and tenacious tracker as well as a gentle and extremely loyal companion to the hunters of North Carolina; and
Whereas, the Plott Hound is regarded as having the most beautifully colored coat of any hound and a spine-tingling, bugle-like call; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina is fortunate to have the Plott Hound, which is one of only four breeds known to be of American origin; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 145-13.  The State dog.
The Plott Hound is adopted as the official dog of the State of North Carolina."
Sec. 2. G.S. 14-81 reads as rewritten:
"§ 14-81.  Larceny of horses, mules, swine, cattle, or dogs.
(a)	Larceny of horses, mules, swine, or cattle is a Class H felony.
(a1)	Larceny of a dog is a Class J felony.
(b)	In sentencing a person convicted of violating this section, the judge shall, as a minimum punishment, place a person on probation subject to the following conditions:
(1)	A person must make restitution for the damage or loss caused by the larceny of the livestock or dogs, and
(2)	A person must pay a fine of not less than the amount of the damages or loss caused by the larceny of the livestock or dogs.
(c)	No provision in this section shall limit the authority of the judge to sentence the person convicted of violating this section to an active sentence."
Sec. 3.  G.S. 14-82 reads as rewritten:
"§ 14-82.  Taking horses, mules, or dogs for temporary purposes.
If any person shall unlawfully take and carry away any horse, gelding, mare, mule, or dog, the property of another person, secretly and against the will of the owner of such property, with intent to deprive the owner of the special or temporary use of the same, or with the intent to use such property for a special or temporary purpose, the person so offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), imprisonment for not more than six months, or both."
Sec. 4.  Sections 2 and 3 of this act shall become effective October 1, 1989, and shall apply to offenses occurring on or after that date.  The remainder of this act is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 12th day of August, 1989.