Revise Animal Fighting Laws.

SB 591 updates North Carolina's animal fighting laws by prohibiting minors under 18 from attending cockfighting or dogfighting events and banning the possession of animals or equipment with intent to use them in such fights. It specifically defines "animal fighting paraphernalia" (like fighting pits, gaffs, or training tools) and makes possessing such items with the intent to facilitate fights a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill directly affects anyone attending these events (with minors prohibited), owning or training animals for fighting, or possessing related equipment. Key mechanisms include criminalizing minor attendance, expanding felony charges for animal possession, and creating new misdemeanor penalties for paraphernalia. The law takes effect December 1, 2025.