Rep. Dahle files bill in North Carolina House to amend dangerous dog laws

A new bill filed by State Rep. Allison A. Dahle in the North Carolina House seeks to update the criteria for classifying dangerous dogs and preserve local government powers over dog control programs, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 865 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Clarify Animal Welfare Statutes.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends North Carolina’s dangerous dog laws to allow for case-by-case determinations on whether a dog trained for dog fighting can be classified as dangerous. It revises the definition of a “dangerous dog” to include a dog that has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person without provocation or is deemed potentially dangerous by an official due to certain behaviors. Additionally, the bill ensures that local governmental bodies retain the authority to implement their own dangerous dog control programs, as long as they are consistent with state statutes. The amendments will take effect Oct. 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Pricey Harrison proposed the most bills (48) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Dahle graduated from Peace College with an AA and again from the University of South Carolina with a BA.

Dahle, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 11th House district, replacing previous state representative Duane Hall.