North Carolina State Dog

Plott hound Canis lupus familiaris Adopted: August 12, 1989

Senate Bill No. 832, proposing that the Plott hound be named the official dog of North Carolina, was sponsored by Senator Bob Swain. It was introduced and referred to committee on April 10, 1989.

The Plott hound, sometimes referred to as simply Plott, was adopted as the official dog of North Carolina just four months later on August 12, 1989.

The approved bill was an amended version that included modification to sections of the North Carolina General Statutes to make theft or taking of a dog, as well as a horse or mule, a felony in the state.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1989 SESSION

CHAPTER 773
SENATE BILL 832

AN ACT TO ADOPT THE PLOTT HOUND AS THE OFFICIAL STATE DOG, TO PROVIDE THAT LARCENY OF A DOG IS A CLASS J FELONY, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE TAKING OF A DOG FOR TEMPORARY PURPOSES IS A MISDEMEANOR.

Whereas, it is generally known that the dog is mankind's best friend; and

Whereas, the Plott Hound breed originated in the mountains of North Carolina in 1750 and is the only breed known to have originated in this State; and

Whereas, the Plott Hound is a legendary hunting dog known as a most courageous fighter and tenacious tracker as well as a gentle and extremely loyal companion to the hunters of North Carolina; and

Whereas, the Plott Hound is regarded as having the most beautifully colored coat of any hound and a spine-tingling, bugle-like call; and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina is fortunate to have the Plott Hound, which is one of only four breeds known to be of American origin; Now, therefore,

Section 1. Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 145-13. The State dog.

The Plott Hound is adopted as the official dog of the State of North Carolina."

Sec. 2. G.S. 14-81 reads as rewritten:

"§ 14-81. Larceny of horses, mules, swine, and cattle. cattle, or dogs.

(a) Larceny of horses, mules, swine, or cattle is a Class H felony.
(a1) Larceny of a dog is a Class J felony.
(b) In sentencing a person convicted of violating this section, the judge shall, as a minimum punishment, place a person on probation subject to the following conditions:

(1) A person must make restitution for the damage or loss caused by the larceny of the livestock, livestock or dogs, and
(2) A person must pay a fine of not less than the amount of the damages or loss caused by the larceny of the livestock. livestock or dogs.
(c) No provision in this section shall limit the authority of the judge to sentence the person convicted of violating this section to an active sentence."

Sec. 3. G.S. 14-82 reads as rewritten:

"§ 14-82. Taking horses or mules horses, mules, or dogs for temporary purposes.

If any person shall unlawfully take and carry away any horse, gelding, mare or mule, mare, mule, or dog, the property of another person, secretly and against the will of the owner of such property, with intent to deprive the owner of the special or temporary use Page 2 S.L. 1989-773 Senate Bill 832 of the same, or with the intent to use such property for a special or temporary purpose, the person so offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), imprisonment for not more than six months, or both."

Sec. 4. Sections 2 and 3 of this act shall become effective October 1, 1989, and shall apply to offenses occurring on or after that date. The remainder of this act is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 12th day of August, 1989.

North Carolina Law

The following information was excerpted from the The North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 145, Section 145-13.

CHAPTER 145 State Symbols and Other Official Adoptions.
SECTION 145-13

§ 145-13

The Plott Hound is adopted as the official dog of the State of North Carolina. (1989, c. 773, s. 1.)

Sources...

The North Carolina General Statutes. Chapter 145:Section 145-13. 2 December 2010.
The General Assembly of North Carolina: 1989-1990 Session Laws. House Bill No. 832. 2 December 2010
Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.

Additional Information

National Plott Hound Association: Official website.

AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Plott: Breed description from the American Kennel Club.

Plott hound: United Kennel Club, Inc. Scenthound Group.

North Carolina State Historical Marker: Historical marker information offered by StoppingPoints.com.

Great Plott!: The toughest dog on the planet makes its debut at Westminster. Article From Slate by Richard D. Woodward.

Plott video link : Relive the Plott breed judging at the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Canis lupus familiaris (Dog): The University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web.

State dogs: Complete list of official state dogs and dog breeds.

State mammals: Complete list of official state mammals.

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official North Carolina state symbols.

Supplies for your dog: Shop for dog supplies from collars to training aids, from crates and kennels to toys and treats, from housebreaking aids to grooming and health care supplies.

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