I believe that the OP said that in their OP that they lived in North Carolina. Where in North Carolina I don't think the OP said. I did find this for Gaston County:

Section 3-8. Responsibilities of owner to control dog.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession, charge, care, custody or control of any dog to fail to keep such dog exclusively upon his own premises, or on the private premises of another with prior consent provided, however, a dog may leave such premises only if:
(1) A dog is under restraint by virtue of being in the custody of a competent person and held by a leash, chain, or other device of sufficient strength to maintain control of the dog by that person;
(2) A dog is under direct control by virtue of being held within a secure enclosure;
(3) A dog is engaged in organized hunting activities on private property with the consent of the owner of the property.

And this for the state of North Carolina:

§ 67-12. Permitting dogs to run at large at night; penalty; liability for damage No person shall allow his dog over six months old to run at large in the nighttime unaccompanied by the owner or by some member of the owner's family, or some other person by the owner's permission. Any person intentionally, knowingly, and willfully violating this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, and shall also be liable in damages to any person injured or suffering loss to his property or chattels.
Amended by Laws 1993, c. 539, § 534; Laws 1994 (1st Ex. Sess.), c. 24, § 14(c). eff. March 26, 1994.