For AI agents: read the machine-readable documentation index at /llms.txt or the single-file full reference at /llms-full.txt.
Form a Business

NUISANCE ANIMALS AND DANGEROUS DOGS

Raleigh City Code pt. 12, ch. 3, art. C
in effect

Raleigh City Code § 12-3021 PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMALS.

Sec. 12-3021. - PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMALS. (a) Prohibited generally; exceptions. It shall be unlawful to own, keep, or harbor a public nuisance animal within the City. Provided, however, it shall not be unlawful to own or keep a dog of vicious tendencies for the protection of persons or property, if such dog is securely confined in a manner not to expose it to the general public. This exception for dogs of vicious tendencies does not extend to dogs which excessively make disturbing noises. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (b) Complaint and notice. Upon receipt of a written detailed and signed complaint being made to the animal control division of the Police Department by any resident or residents that any person is maintaining a public nuisance as defined in §12-3004 of this chapter, the Chief of Police shall cause the owner of the animal or animals in question to be notified that a complaint has been received and shall cause the situation complained of to be investigated and a report and findings thereon to be reduced to writing by the investigating animal control officer. (c) Abatement. If the written findings of the investigating officer indicate that the complaint is justified, then the Chief of Police shall cause the owner or keeper of the animal or animals in question to be so notified in writing, by registered mail, return receipt requested, ordered to abate such nuisance within seven (7) days after notification, and issued a citation for the violation. In the event the owner of the animal or animals is unknown and cannot be ascertained, the notice and order, along with a general description of the animal or animals shall be published within a local newspaper. (d) Impoundment upon failure to abate. If any person receiving notice in the manner hereinabove described shall fail or refuse to abate the nuisance upon order of the Chief of Police within the specified time, the Police Chief may cause the animal or animals in question to be apprehended and impounded in accordance with the provisions of Article E of this chapter. (e) Right of appeal. Within the seven-day period mentioned in subsection (c) above, the owner of the nuisance animal may appeal the findings of the Chief of Police to the City Manager by giving written notice of appeal to the Chief of Police, the appeal to stay the abatement of the nuisance until a final determination by the City Council. (f) Redemption; destruction. If the owner shall so request, the animal or animals may be redeemed pursuant to the provisions of §12-3064 and upon the further condition that the owner execute a written agreement to comply with the abatement order. If no redemption and execution is made by the owner within the time specified under §12-3063, then the animal shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of §12-3065 hereunder. (Code 1959, §4-13; Ord. No. 1984-307, §4, 3-20-84; Ord. No. 2022-339, §45, 2-15-22)

Raleigh City Code § 12-3022 PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DANGEROUS DOGS.

Sec. 12-3022. - PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DANGEROUS DOGS. (a) When a dog has been determined to be a dangerous dog by the animal control division it shall be unlawful for the owner to: (1) Leave a dangerous dog unattended on the owner's real property unless the dog is confined indoors, in a securely enclosed and locked pen, or in another structure designed to restrain the dog. Any secure enclosure or locked pen shall be constructed in such a manner that a dog cannot escape by means of digging under or jumping over the enclosure or pen, or otherwise becoming free unless freed by the owner; (2) Permit a dangerous dog to go beyond the owner's real property unless the dog is leashed and muzzled or is otherwise securely restrained and muzzled. Voice command is not recognized as secure restraint under this article. (b) If the owner of a dangerous dog transfers ownership or possession of the dog to another person, the owner shall provide written notice to: (1) The animal control division of the City of Raleigh, stating the name and address of the new owner or possessor of the dog; and (2) The person taking ownership or possession of the dog, specifying the dog's dangerous behavior and the fact that the animal control division of the dog has been determined dangerous. (c) A dog that has been determined dangerous and subsequently is found at large will be impounded for not less than five (5) days at the owner's expense. If all reasonable attempts to seize the dangerous dog are unsuccessful, the animal control division or the police department may humanely tranquilize and seize the animal, without prior notice to the owner. (Ord. No. 2013-157, §2, 2-19-13, eff. 3-1-13; Ord. No. 2016-552, §7, 3-1-16, eff. 3-15-16)

Raleigh City Code § 12-3023 APPEAL OF A DANGEROUS DOG DETERMINATION.

Sec. 12-3023. - APPEAL OF A DANGEROUS DOG DETERMINATION. (a) A request for appeal of a determination that a dog is dangerous must be made in writing and filed with the City Clerk within five (5) business days of the action or decision complained of and must state with particularity the grounds of the appeal. An appeal hearing shall be conducted by the City Manager or his designee. (b) The City Manager or his designee shall render a decision within three (3) business days of the hearing. (c) The decision of the City Manager or his designee is subject to appeal in Superior Court in the nature of certiorari. Any and all sanctions or penalties imposed and upheld by the City Manager or his designee shall be enforceable during the pendency of any appeal. (d) If the decision is in favor of the owner, efforts to implement the sanction(s) shall cease. Decisions rendered by the City Manager or his designee apply only to the violation(s) and sanction(s) appealed and do not prevent the animal control division from enforcing subsequent violations of the same provision or any other provision. (Ord. No. 2016-552, §8, 3-1-16, eff. 3-15-16)

Raleigh City Code § 12-3024 SUMMARY DESTRUCTION OF ANIMALS THAT CANNOT BE SEIZED BY REASONABLE MEANS.

Sec. 12-3024. - SUMMARY DESTRUCTION OF ANIMALS THAT CANNOT BE SEIZED BY REASONABLE MEANS. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, any animal that is determined to be dangerous or who is attacking a human being or pet and that cannot be seized, retrieved, humanely trapped, or tranquilized through reasonable means may be summarily destroyed, if such destruction is necessary for the protection of life or property or for the public health and safety. (Ord. No. 2016-552, §8, 3-1-16, eff. 3-15-16)

Raleigh City Code § 12-3025 ANIMAL BITE NOTIFICATION.

Sec. 12-3025. - ANIMAL BITE NOTIFICATION. (a) Bites Unlawful. It shall be unlawful for an animal to bite a human being who does not ordinarily reside on the premises of the animal unless the animal has been subject to provocation, or unless the victim was trespassing at or near the time of the bite. (b) Reporting Bite. It shall be unlawful for a person to fail to report to animal control as soon as possible that an animal has bitten a person. It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to inform the animal control division of the location to which an animal that has bitten a human being has been taken if the owner has given the animal away, or caused in any way the animal to be taken from the owner's premises. (Ord. No. 2016-552, §8, 3-1-16, eff. 3-15-16)
Source: City of Raleigh, North Carolina, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/raleigh/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=DIVIICOGEOR_PT12LIRE_CH3AN_ARTCNUANDADOFetched: 11/1/2026

Starting a business in North Carolina? North Carolina LLC guide: costs and requirements