New Hampshire Statewide Rule
New Hampshire Barking Dog Nuisance Statute
Key Facts
- Statute
- RSA 466:31
- Initial fine
- $50 forfeiture
- Enforcement
- Local selectmen or police
- Hearing required
- Yes, written complaint
- Applies
- Statewide uniformly
Summary
New Hampshire RSA 466:31 makes it a violation for any owner to keep a dog that habitually disturbs the peace by barking or howling, with enforcement available statewide regardless of municipal noise ordinances.
(b) If it barks for sustained periods of more than 1/2 hour, or during the night hours so as to disturb the peace and quiet of a neighborhood or area, not including a dog which is guarding, working, or herding livestock, as defined in RSA 21:34-a, II(a)(4);
Full Breakdown
Under RSA 466:31, a dog is deemed a nuisance if it disturbs the peace through habitual barking, howling, or yelping for sustained periods. Any person may file a written complaint with the local selectboard, mayor, or police chief, who then conducts a hearing. The official may order the owner to restrain or remove the dog. The statute applies uniformly across all New Hampshire municipalities and supplements local noise rules. Violators face a civil forfeiture, and continued violations may result in a misdemeanor charge. The statewide framework provides enforcement even where towns lack specific noise codes.
Violations & Penalties
First violation is typically a $50 civil forfeiture; subsequent violations escalate to $100 and may result in misdemeanor charges with court-ordered remediation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a barking dog in New Hampshire?
Can a town override the state barking dog law?
What counts as habitual barking?
Sources
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