House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

Amends proposed GS 14-360.5 as follows. Amend the exceptions to the requirements for adequate shelter and adequate space, (1) so that the exception is for dogs used or kept for lawful hunting, sledding, sporting or field trials or events where tethering or sheltering the dog in a particular manner is integral to the dog’s training or conditioning for those purposes (was, exception for the use of a dog in a lawful hunt); and (2) adds an exception for conducting obedience training, field and water training, law enforcement training, or other dog training activities where tethering or sheltering the dog in a particular manner is integral to those activities. Amends the definition of tethering by excluding the use of a restraint on a dog during transport, grooming, veterinary care or while the owner and dog are engaged in training, shows, or competitions. Makes clarifying changes to the definition of extreme weather. Changes the statute’s effective date from December 1, 2025, to December 1, 2026.

Adds an appropriation of $10,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the Animal Welfare Section for costs related to public education and educational material pertaining to the companion animal standards in this act. Effective July 1, 2026.