This bill amends the existing law regarding the issuance of warrants for civil forfeiture of unlicensed dogs due to nonpayment of dog license fees. The current law mandates that local governing bodies must issue such warrants, but the amendment changes this requirement to a permissive one, allowing local governing bodies to "may" issue a warrant instead of "shall." This change provides local authorities with discretion in deciding whether to pursue civil forfeiture for unlicensed dogs. Additionally, the bill outlines the procedures for issuing warrants, including the methods of delivering civil forfeiture notices and the process for seizing unlicensed dogs.

The bill also stipulates that if a dog is seized, it will be held in a local facility for seven days, after which ownership will transfer to the facility unless the owner licenses the dog within that period. The owner will be responsible for daily maintenance costs and any veterinary fees incurred during the dog's stay at the facility. A written warning must be provided to the dog owner before any seizure occurs. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, and the fiscal note indicates that there will be no impact on state, county, or local expenditures or revenue.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 466:1-d, 466:32
As Amended by the House: 466:14