Winston-Salem, NC Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

(a) As used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise and except as modified in subsection (b) of this section, the term: (1) "Dangerous dog" means a. A dog that: 1. Without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or 2. Is determined by the person or Board designated by the county or municipal authority responsible for animal control to be potentially dangerous because the dog has engaged in one or more of the behaviors listed in subdivision (2) of this subsection. b. Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting, or any dog trained for dog fighting. (2) "Potentially dangerous dog" means a dog that the person or Board designated by the county or municipal authority responsible for animal control determines to have: a. Inflicted a bite on a person that resulted in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations or required cosmetic surgery or hospitalization; or b. Killed or inflicted severe injury upon a domestic animal when not on the owner's real property; or c. Approached a person when not on the owner's property in a vicious or terrorizing manner in an apparent attitude of attack. [...] § 67-4.5. Local ordinances. Nothing in this Article shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for control of dangerous dogs.