Dog Owners of the Granite State

The Legislature is on its winter vacation break until March 1st.

Recent Legislative Action -

HB 1417: allowing companion dogs in certain areas of restaurants. Passed the House.

HB 1596: changes the time period by 15 days during which dog owners who have failed to license their dogs shall be notified of the civil forfeiture of each unlicensed dog and increases the warrant fee from $5 to $10. Killed by the House.

We’ve been asked about HB1417. It does not require all restaurants to allow dogs.  It simply lets restaurant owners, who might wish to allow dogs, to do so – provided they post a notice.  New Hampshire has a lot of Inns and Bed and Breakfasts whose owners live on their premises.  There have been some enforcement questions about whether or not those owners could even have a dog anywhere on their property.

Here is the wording of HB 1417:

II. A restaurant owner may allow, at the restaurant owner’s discretion, any person possessing a properly disciplined companion dog inside his or her place of business. Such dogs shall not be allowed in food preparation or production areas. Restaurant owners allowing companion dogs shall prominently display a sign at all public entrances advising patrons that companion dogs are allowed on the premises.

NH LEGISLATIVE ACTION

HB 1639 (Dog Tethering Requirements & Unlawful Taking) – House Criminal Justice Committee Votes.

On February 11th, the House Criminal Justice Committee voted to recommend the bill Inexpedient to Legislative in a 13-2 vote. Rep. Larry Gagne from Manchester made the motion. Representatives McCarthy and Chandley voted against the motion to recommend killing the bill. The bill will likely be voted on by the full House on February 24th.

Many thanks to all who prepared and presented testimony and signed in opposed as well as those who sent letters. The members of this committee are becoming more knowledgeable about animal issues because of your involvement.

HB 1624: placing undue restrictions on dog breeders and owners under the guise of eliminating “puppy mills”. Killed in the House on February 10th.

DOGS is grateful for all the time and thought that members put into making contacts with legislators on this bill. Not only did our position on the bill prevail but the messages helped create a better understanding among legislators about our issues. Read more…

HB1417 – allowing companion dogs in certain areas of restaurants adds:

“A restaurant owner may allow, at the restaurant owner’s discretion, any person possessing a properly disciplined companion dog inside his or her place of business. Such dogs shall not be allowed in food preparation or production areas. Restaurant owners allowing companion dogs shall prominently display a sign at all public entrances advising patrons that companion dogs are allowed on the premises.”

to RSA 466:44 Dogs; Restaurants and Food Stores.