Amendment 2026-1308s to HB1253 (2026)

(New Title) exempting dogs guarding livestock or crops from nuisance dog statutes when engaged in such work.


Revision: April 2, 2026, 12:21 p.m.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources

March 31, 2026

2026-1308s

04/09

 

 

Amendment to HB 1253

 

Amend the bill by replacing section 1 with the following:

 

1  Guardian Dogs; Livestock; 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 agricultural crops, guarding livestock, 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, guarding agricultural crops, guarding livestock, or herding livestock. Nothing herein provided shall mean that the dog must be within sight at all times.

 

Amend RSA 466:30-c, I(a) as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:

 

(a) Is actively used for guarding livestock and works primarily with the livestock herd or flock in a pasture, range, field, active yard, or similar open agricultural environment, rather than primarily in a residential home, yard, or urban/suburban setting;

 

Amend RSA 466:30-d, I(a) as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:

 

(a) Is actively used for guarding crops in a pasture, range, field, active yard, or similar open agricultural environment, rather than primarily in a residential home, yard, or urban/suburban setting;