This bill amends the penalties associated with attacks by nuisance dogs, specifically adjusting the minimum fines for various offenses under RSA 466:31. The proposed changes include replacing the initial $25 fine for the first nuisance offense with a warning, reducing the second offense fine from $100 to $50, and establishing a $100 fine for the third or subsequent offenses within a 12-month period. For menace offenses, the first offense fine increases from $50 to $200, while the second or subsequent offenses rise from $200 to $400. Additionally, the bill raises the fines for vicious offenses from $100 to $400 for the first offense and from $400 to $1,000 for subsequent offenses, with the added stipulation that the dog owner is liable for all medical bills incurred by the victim of the attack.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that if a person pays a civil forfeiture twice within a 12-month period, they will not be able to pay for subsequent violations but must have those cases heard in court. In cases involving vicious dogs that pose a public safety threat, immediate court proceedings are mandated instead of allowing for civil forfeiture. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is projected to have a fiscal impact of less than $10,000 annually for the years 2026 through 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 466:31-a
As Amended by the House: 466:31-a