NC H852

Establishes strict civil liability for dog owners when their dog is "at large" and kills or injures livestock, fowls, domestic animals, or persons, expanding current law which only covered livestock and fowls

Defines "at large" as a dog not under reasonable physical control, including dogs escaping inadequate enclosures, wandering unaccompanied, walked off-leash using only verbal commands, or restrained with leashes too long to prevent attacks

Exempts law enforcement dogs performing official duties and dogs actively used in lawful hunts from the "at large" definition

Expands the prohibition on dogs running at large from nighttime-only to all times, with intentional violations constituting a Class 3 misdemeanor plus civil liability for damages

Effective December 1, 2025, applying to actions and proceedings brought or pending on or after that date