This bill amends the penalties associated with attacks by nuisance dogs under RSA 466:31. Key changes include the adjustment of minimum fines for various offenses. For the first nuisance offense, the penalty is changed from a $25 fine to a warning. The second offense fine is reduced from $100 to $50, while the third or subsequent offenses will incur a $100 fine. For menace offenses, the first offense fine increases from $50 to $200, and the second or subsequent offenses increase from $200 to $400. Additionally, the first vicious offense fine is raised from $100 to $400, and the second or subsequent offenses increase from $400 to $1,000. Importantly, the bill also stipulates that the owner of the dog will be liable for all medical bills incurred by the person attacked.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that if a person pays a civil forfeiture twice within a 12-month period, subsequent violations will be handled in court rather than through forfeiture. In cases involving vicious dogs that pose a public safety threat, immediate court proceedings are required instead of allowing for civil forfeiture. The bill clarifies that it does not limit any civil recovery that an individual may claim under RSA 466:19 or other applicable laws. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 466:31-a
As Amended by the House: 466:31-a
As Amended by the Senate: 466:31-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 466:31-a
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 466:31-a