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your dog was acting in a way consistent with normal dog behavior are not an influencing factor <br />in an appellate decision. While statements about the dog’s character and past behavior will be <br />received, they are secondary to fact about what actually happened and whether it meets the <br />definition of a potentially dangerous dog. <br />• A determination of vicious dog is separate and different from the determination of a potentially <br />dangerous dog. A vicious dog determination is a county determination and presently it is not <br />able to be appealed. <br />• Anything submitted at an appeal becomes part of the official record and copies should be <br />supplied for all parties attending (at least 10). <br />Common Questions <br />If a party goes forward with the appeal process, the questions below may be of use in preparing for the <br />hearing. <br />• Should I bring the dog deemed potentially dangerous to the hearing? <br />No. No animals should be brought to the hearing. <br /> <br />• What should I bring to a hearing? <br />Bring your copy of the packet sent to you by Animal Services, along with any additional <br />documents or witnesses that may offer new evidence about the case and the facts of the <br />incident itself. Only witnesses that can add to the facts of the specific incident will be of <br />assistance to the case, not character witnesses for the animals in question. <br /> <br />• What if this is the only time my dog has ever acted in this way? Will this help my case? <br />The NC Statute is written in such a way so that previous vicious or dangerous behavior is not a <br />requirement for a potentially dangerous dog declaration. The appeals committee will only be <br />able to determine whether the dog in question acted in a manner consistent with the definition <br />of a potentially dangerous dog in this incident, regardless of how many times the behavior has <br />occurred before. <br /> <br />• What can I do if I am unhappy with the committee’s findings? <br />Anyone unhappy with the findings of the appeals committee has the right to an appeal with the <br />NC Superior Court. Those requests should be filed within 10 days of the decision to the superior <br />court. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Last edited: November 2014