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 town or region where the incident occurred. The ACO is required to investigate the complaint 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 new provision is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

The bill modifies existing law by establishing a formal process for reporting and investigating dog bites or attacks, while also allowing for the issuance of orders by ACOs based on specific factors related to the incident. Notably, the bill does not include provisions for appealing final orders, which are present in current law. The fiscal impact of this bill is expected to be negligible, as it does not require additional resources from the state or municipalities to implement the new requirements.