Bill Summary for H 852 (2025-2026)
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| View NCGA Bill Details(link is external) | 2025-2026 Session |
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.Intro. by von Haefen, Roberson, Dew.
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Bill summary
Contains whereas clauses.
Amends GS 67-1 by retitling the statute as “Liability for injury to livestock, fowls, domestic animals, or persons; definition of at large.” Reorganizes existing language into new subsection (a) and now specifies that the owner of any dog at large that kills or injures livestock, fowl, domestic animals, or persons, is liable for damages. Defines “at large” in new subsection (b) as a dog not under the reasonable, physical control of the owner or another person, and provides examples such as a dog escaping an inadequate enclosure or a dog being walked off-leash in a public place. Clarifies that “at large” does not include law enforcement dogs in official duties and dogs being used in a lawful hunt.
Amends GS 67-12 to make it unlawful for a person to let a dog over six months old to run at large at any time, instead of only at nighttime as currently prohibited by the statute.
Effective and applicable to actions brought or pending on or after December 1, 2025.