The proposed bill, Substitute House Bill No. 7257, mandates that any person can file a complaint regarding a dog bite or attack to an animal control officer (ACO) in the relevant town or region. Upon receiving a complaint, the ACO is required to investigate the incident and report the findings to the Chief State Animal Control Officer. If the investigation confirms that a dog has bitten or attacked a person, the ACO is authorized to issue orders concerning the restraint or disposal of the dog to ensure public health and safety. This bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

The bill introduces new legal language that establishes the complaint process and investigation requirements for dog bites or attacks, while it also retains existing provisions that allow individuals to kill a dog that is attacking them. Notably, the bill does not include the ability to appeal the ACO's final orders, which is a departure from current law. The fiscal impact of this bill is expected to be negligible, as it is not anticipated that additional resources will be needed by the state or municipalities to implement these requirements.