GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2025

H                                                                                                                                                    1

HOUSE BILL 852

Short Title:      Safe Dogs, Safe Owners.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representatives von Haefen, Roberson, and Dew (Primary Sponsors). For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

April 10, 2025

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT TO MANDATE STRICT CIVIL LIABILITY FOR DOG BITES WHEN A DOG INJURES A PERSON OR DOMESTIC ANIMAL WHILE RUNNING UNLEASHED IN PUBLIC AND TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM LEASHING LAWS.

Whereas, North Carolina's existing laws have resulted in a patchwork of county and municipality leash and dog restraint laws that offer inconsistent levels of protection for North Carolinians and their pets alike; and

Whereas, the patchwork nature of those local ordinances unduly inhibits and complicates the ability of State and local police and animal control to assist the victims of bites by at‑large dogs; and

Whereas, that same patchwork creates an undue barrier to legal representation for the victims of dog bites by at‑large dogs, even when local ordinances would likely hold the at‑large dog owner liable; and

Whereas, off‑leash dogs are known to cause reactivity when approaching on‑leash dogs; and

Whereas, every North Carolinian (and their dogs) ought to have the right to enjoy public spaces without fear of attack by an at‑large dog; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 67‑1 reads as rewritten:

"§ 67‑1.  Liability for injury to livestock or fowls.livestock, fowls, domestic animals, or persons; definition of at large.

(a)        If any dog, not being at the time on the premises of the owner or person having charge thereof, dog at large shall kill or injure any livestock or fowls, livestock, fowls, domestic animals, or persons, the owner or person having such dog in charge shall be liable for damages sustained by the injury, killing, or maiming of any livestock, livestock, fowl, domestic animals, or persons and costs of suit.

(b) As used in this Chapter, the term "at large" refers to a dog not under the reasonable, physical control of an owner or some other person by the owner's permission, including, but not limited to, instances of a dog escaping an inadequately built or maintained outdoor enclosure, a dog wandering off the premises of an owner unaccompanied, a person walking a dog off leash in public and relying on verbal commands, a person using a leash that is too long to allow for sufficient control to prevent or end an attack, and a person walking a dog with a restraint system that cannot be managed by the person having such dog in charge. This term "at large" shall not apply to (i) a dog being used by a law enforcement officer to carry out the law enforcement officer's official duties and (ii) a dog actively being used in a lawful hunt."

SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 67‑12 reads as rewritten:

"§ 67‑12.  Permitting dogs to run at large at night; large; penalty; liability for damage.

No person shall allow his dog over six months old to run at large in the nighttime unaccompanied bythe owner or by some member of the owner's family, or some other person by the owner's permission. at large. Any person intentionally, knowingly, and willfully violating this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, and shall also be liable in damages to any person injured or suffering loss to his property or chattels."

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to actions and proceedings brought or pending on or after that date.