Meet the Dog Behind the State’s New Canine-Protection Bill
For Immediate Release:
April 8, 2025
Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382
The Halifax Mall will be doggone delightful on Thursday when Duke, a formerly chained dog rescued by PETA, will “host” a one-of-a-kind General Assembly event, complete with coffee, scrumptious vegan snacks, and more of the dogs PETA’s Community Animal Project fieldworkers have rescued from abuse and neglect at the end of a chain. The event will give legislators a chance to cozy up to their canine constituents and discuss Duke’s namesake bill, Duke’s Rescue Act—also known as House Bill 657, a lifesaving bipartisan bill filed just this month—which would require adequate shelter, space, food, water, and care for dogs kept outside, as well as prohibit keeping dogs tethered outdoors during certain weather extremes.
Duke spent the first four years of his life chained continuously during the hottest summer days and coldest winter nights—deprived of food, water, and affection alongside five other similarly neglected dogs. Only after one of the chained dogs starved to death and PETA sued to gain custody of the remaining dogs was Duke finally given the chance to experience a real life with a loving family.
“Every day, PETA fieldworkers find dogs like Duke chained outside 24/7, panting in the summer and shivering in the winter, desperate for comfort and a kind touch,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA looks forward to sharing their stories and brightening legislators’ day with a pack of wonderful rescued pups as we explore ways to help dogs across North Carolina.”
Where: Halifax Mall, 300 N Salisbury St., Raleigh (in between the General Assembly building and office)
When: Thursday, April 10, 11 a.m.
PETA—whose motto reads in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out thatEvery Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
