Hudson, NH Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Section 188-1.1, rewritten when Hudson replaced its entire animal chapter on August 10, 2021 under authority of RSA 31:39 and RSA 466:39, defines 'LEASH' as a chain, rope, or strap, not to exceed six feet, attached to the collar or harness of a dog and used to lead it or hold it in check by a physically able, competent person, and defines 'AT-LARGE' as a dog not under the control of the owner or keeper by a leash, specifying that electronic collars do not count as physical restraint. Subsection B(1) then prohibits any person or keeper from permitting a dog to be at large as defined by this section or to trespass upon the property of another, private or public, including Town-owned or school district property.

Six narrow exemptions apply: a dog is not at large on its own owner's premises, on the premises of a person supervising it, on private property with that owner's permission, in a Town-designated off-leash area posted by the Board of Selectmen, when it is a working service dog for a disabled person, or when it is assisting a police officer on duty. A keeper's failure to comply does not excuse the owner; both remain responsible under Subsection B(3).

Enforcement runs through the Hudson Animal Control Officer, who under Section 188-2 picks up any dog running at large and holds it seven days; if the dog wears an identification tag or license, the officer must notify the owner immediately, and the owner has the full seven days to reclaim it before the officer may dispose of it at his or her discretion. Under the fee schedule at Section 205-9D, an owner pays $25 for a first at-large offense and $50 for a second, and a third sends the case to court.