NC H612

Makes it unlawful to willfully confine any animal in a motor vehicle under conditions likely to cause suffering, injury, or death due to heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or other endangering conditions.

Violation without serious injury or death to the animal is a Class 2 misdemeanor; if confinement causes serious injury or death, violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Any subsequent violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor regardless of whether the animal suffers injury.

Authorizes animal control officers, animal cruelty investigators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and rescue squad workers to enter a motor vehicle by reasonable means if they have probable cause the violation is occurring, after reasonable effort to locate the owner.

Does not apply to transportation of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, or other livestock; becomes effective December 1, 2013.