Sen. Lowe files bill in North Carolina Senate to tighten animal fighting laws

A new bill filed by State Sen. Paul A. Lowe Jr. seeks to strengthen animal fighting regulations by banning minor attendance and penalizing involvement in such events, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 591 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Revise Animal Fighting Laws.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill revises animal fighting laws to prohibit minors from attending animal fighting exhibitions and makes it illegal to own animals with the intent to use them in such fights. It makes organizing, conducting, or allowing minors at cockfighting and dog fighting events a felony, as is profiting from these exhibitions. The bill also voids leases for properties used for such purposes and requires landlords aware of such uses to evict tenants. Additionally, it criminalizes the possession, sale, or manufacture of animal fighting paraphernalia with the intent to promote or facilitate animal fighting as a misdemeanor. The bill becomes effective Dec. 1, 2025.

Lowe proposed another 24 bills during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Lowe graduated from Bishop College in 1985 with a BA and again from Drew University School of Theology with a DMIN.

Lowe, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2015 to represent the state’s 32nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Earline Parmon.