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 key change is that the local governing body is given the discretion to issue a warrant, as indicated by the deletion of "shall" and the insertion of "may" in the legal language. This means that local officials are no longer mandated to issue warrants but can choose to do so within 20 days after June 20, following the annual report from the town or city clerk listing unlicensed dog owners. The bill also outlines the procedures for seizing unlicensed dogs, including the requirement for a written warning to the dog owner before any seizure occurs.

Additionally, the bill specifies 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. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage and is noted to have no fiscal impact on state, county, or local expenditures or revenue.

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