Cleveland County, NC Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Cleveland County does not restrict ownership by breed. Under Code § 3-1, a "dangerous dog" is defined only by what the animal has done: assaulted, bitten, attacked or inflicted severe injury on a person without provocation, killed or injured a pet or domestic animal off the owner's property, been declared dangerous by the director or the animal services advisory board, or been owned or trained for dog fighting. The definition carries exceptions for a dog that reacted to a trespasser, to teasing or abuse, or to defending itself or its young.

Once the director's investigation supports a finding, § 3-51 requires a written probable cause notice before any seizure, stating the facts supporting the finding and ordering the owner to surrender the animal immediately. The owner has ten working days to request a hearing before the animal services advisory board; without a timely request, the director decides the case alone. At the board hearing, both sides present sworn testimony and evidence, and the board can terminate the owner's rights in the animal, order humane destruction, or suspend termination on conditions such as the confinement and sterilization measures in § 3-32.

Any decision is appealable to superior court by certiorari within thirty days, but a cash bond covering the county's holding costs must be posted first, and the appeal does not pause compliance with the underlying order.