GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2025

H                                                                                                                                                    1

HOUSE BILL 865

Short Title:      Clarify Animal Welfare Statutes.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representatives Harrison, Humphrey, and Dahle (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 amend the dangerous dog laws to permit a case‑by‑case determination as to whether a dog trained for dog fighting is dangerous.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 67‑4.1 reads as rewritten:

"§ 67‑4.1.  Definitions and procedures.

(a)        As used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise and except as modified in subsection (b) of this section, the term:

(1)        "Dangerous dog" means

a. A a dog that:

1.a.      Without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or

2.b.      Is determined by the person or Board designated by the county or municipal authority responsible for animal control to be potentially dangerous because the dog has engaged in one or more of the behaviors listed in subdivision (2) of this subsection.

b. Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting, or any dog trained for dog fighting.

…."

SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 67‑4.5 reads as rewritten:

"§ 67‑4.5.  Local ordinances.

Nothing in this Article shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for control of dangerous dogs.dogs consistent with this Article."

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2025.