Dog Bites
G.S. 67-4.4 — strict liability for a dangerous dog
Strictly liable, for a dangerous dog. In North Carolina, the owner of a dangerous dog is strictly liable in civil damages for any injury or property damage the dog inflicts on a person, their property or another animal.
A dangerous dog is one that without provocation killed or severely injured a person, one found potentially dangerous by the local animal control authority's designee, or one kept or trained for dog fighting. Potentially dangerous means the dog bit a person causing broken bones, disfiguring cuts, cosmetic surgery or hospitalization; killed or severely injured a domestic animal off the owner's property; or approached a person off the owner's property in a vicious or terrorizing manner.
The owner is notified in writing with reasons before a dog is treated as potentially dangerous, and may appeal by filing written objections within three days; the appeal board holds a hearing within 10 days. None of this applies when the person hurt was trespassing, tormenting or abusing the dog, or committing a crime.
Separately, letting a dog over six months old run at large at night unaccompanied is a Class 3 misdemeanor when done intentionally, knowingly and willfully, and the owner is liable to anyone injured or whose property is damaged.
Sources for this section (3)
- G.S. 67-4.4 — Strict liability
- G.S. 67-4.1 — Dangerous dogs: definitions and procedures
- G.S. 67-12 — Permitting dogs to run at large at night
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.