N.C. Gen. Stat. » Chapter 14
NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-362.2 (2026)

Dog fighting and baiting

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) A person who instigates, promotes, conducts, is employed at, provides a dog for, allows property under the person's ownership or control to be used for, gambles on, or profits from an exhibition featuring the baiting of a dog or the fighting of a dog with another dog or with another animal is guilty of a Class H felony. A lease of property that is used or is intended to be used for an exhibition featuring the baiting of a dog or the fighting of a dog with another dog or with another animal is void, and a lessor who knows this use is made or is intended to be made of the lessor's property is under a duty to evict the lessee immediately.

(b) A person who owns, possesses, or trains a dog with the intent that the dog be used in an exhibition featuring the baiting of that dog or the fighting of that dog with another dog or with another animal is guilty of a Class H felony.

(c) A person who participates as a spectator at an exhibition featuring the baiting of a dog or the fighting of a dog with another dog or with another animal is guilty of a Class H felony.

(d) This section does not prohibit the use of dogs in the lawful taking of animals under the jurisdiction and regulation of the Wildlife Resources Commission.

(e) This section does not prohibit the use of dogs in earthdog trials that are sanctioned or sponsored by entities approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture that meet standards that protect the health and safety of the dogs. Quarry at an earthdog trial shall at all times be kept separate from the dogs by a sturdy barrier, such as a cage, and have access to food and water.

(f) This section does not apply to the use of herding dogs engaged in the working of domesticated livestock for agricultural, entertainment, or sporting purposes. (1997-78, s. 1; 2006-113, s. 3.1; 2006-259, s. 37; 2007-180, s. 1; 2007-181, s. 1.)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 2001–2014 · leading case: State v. Arnold, 557 S.E.2d 119 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001).
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State v. Arnold, 557 S.E.2d 119 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 32× “The General Assembly enacted N.C. Gen.Stat. § 14-362.2 in 1997. It provides "[a] person who participates as a spectator at an exhibition featuring the fighting or baiting of a dog is guilty of a Class H felony.”
State v. Bonilla, 28 A.3d 1005 (Conn. App. Ct. 2011). “In rejecting the defendant’s claim, the North Carolina Court of Appeals noted that “people have the right to peacefully assemble for lawful purposes. . . . However, in the case at bar, people, including defendant, were assembled for an unlawful purpose.”
State v. Avent (N.C. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “]” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-362.2 (b) (2012). For misdemeanor cruelty to animals, a defendant must “intentionally .”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-362.2(c) — 1 case
State v. Arnold, 557 S.E.2d 119 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001). “The General Assembly enacted N.C. Gen.Stat. § 14-362.2 in 1997. It provides "[a] person who participates as a spectator at an exhibition featuring the fighting or baiting of a dog is guilty of a Class H felony.”
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-362.2(d) — 1 case
State v. Arnold, 557 S.E.2d 119 (N.C. Ct. App. 2001). “The General Assembly enacted N.C. Gen.Stat. § 14-362.2 in 1997. It provides "[a] person who participates as a spectator at an exhibition featuring the fighting or baiting of a dog is guilty of a Class H felony.”
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