This bill amends RSA 466:39 to empower local governing bodies to establish regulations regarding the muzzling of dogs, specifically targeting vicious dogs as defined in RSA 466:31, II(g). The local authorities are permitted to create additional bylaws concerning the licensing, muzzling, and restraint of dogs, with penalties for violations capped at $50. The bill also stipulates that these regulations will only apply to dogs owned or kept within the respective city or town, and the annual licensing fee cannot exceed $1 in addition to the standard fee.

Furthermore, the bill introduces exemptions for certain working dogs from the muzzling regulations. Specifically, dogs used for hunting, supervised competition, exhibition, or training, as well as dogs guarding, working, or herding livestock, are excluded from these requirements, provided that the owner or custodian can maintain awareness of the dog's location. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an approval date of August 1, 2025, and an effective date of September 30, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 466:39
As Amended by the House: 466:39
As Amended by the Senate: 466:39, 466:4
Version adopted by both bodies: 466:39
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 466:39