H1005 - Eva's Act Summary

• Adds "adequate space" as a form of animal cruelty under North Carolina law, making deprivation of adequate space a Class 1 misdemeanor offense.

• Defines "adequate space" for tethered animals to require tethers of at least 15 feet in length or four times the animal's body length (whichever is greater), proper collar/harness attachment, and tether weight not exceeding one-tenth of the animal's body weight.

• Establishes new definitions for animal cruelty statutes including "adequate space," "freedom of movement," "intentionally," "maliciously," and "torture, torment, or cruelty."

• Appropriates $50,000 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a public awareness campaign about the animal cruelty law changes.

• Section 1 becomes effective December 1, 2024, for offenses committed on or after that date, with remaining provisions effective July 1, 2024.