HB 1253 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2770
08/09
HOUSE BILL 1253
AN ACT enabling the use of dogs to guard crops.
SPONSORS: Rep. Comtois, Belk. 7; Rep. J. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Bixby, Straf. 13; Rep. Kenny, Hills. 13; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
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ANALYSIS
This bill enables the use of dogs to guard crops without being restrained.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2770
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT enabling the use of dogs to guard crops.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Dog Control Law; Guarding Crops. Amend RSA 466:30-a, I to read as follows:
I. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any dog to run at large, except when accompanied by the owner or custodian, and when used for hunting, for guarding, working, guarding crops, or herding livestock, as defined in RSA 21:34-a, II(a)(4), for supervised competition and exhibition, or for training for such. For the purpose of this section, "accompanied" means that the owner or custodian must be able to see or hear, or both, or have reasonable knowledge of where the dog is hunting, where training is being conducted, where trials are being held, or where the dog is guarding, working, or herding livestock. Nothing herein provided shall mean that the dog must be within sight at all times.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 17, 2026 | House | Hearing |
Feb. 25, 2026: Full Committee Work Session: 03/03/2026 10:15 am GP 153
Feb. 18, 2026: Full Committee Work Session: 02/24/2026 10:00 am GP 153
Feb. 11, 2026: Public Hearing: 02/17/2026 02:00 pm GP 153
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture