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 the language to allow them the discretion to do so. Specifically, the bill modifies RSA 466:14 by replacing the word "shall" with "may," giving local governing bodies the option to issue a warrant within 20 days from June 20 for each unlicensed dog. Additionally, the bill outlines the procedures for seizing unlicensed dogs, including the requirement for a written warning to be given to the dog owner before any seizure occurs.

The bill also stipulates that if a dog is seized, it will be held in a local facility for seven days, after which full title will pass 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 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 as a result of this amendment.

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