Dog Registration

Dogs are to be licensed by April 30th each year.

Please let the Town Clerk know if you no longer own a previously licensed dog so that the records can be updated.

License Fees (RSA 466:4)

     Male/Female (not neutered or spayed)                      $9.00

     Neutered/Spayed                                                        $6.50

     Puppy (under 7 months)                                             $4.50

     Senior Citizen (over 65 - 1st dog only)                       $2.00

     Group/Kennel License (5 or more dogs)                  $20.00

Leash Law:

     The provisions of RSA 466:30-a which make it unlawful for any dog to run at large, except when accompanied by the owner or custodian, and when used for hunting, herding, supervised competition and exhibition or training for such.

466:1  Procurring License:  Every owner or keeper of a dog 4 months old or over shall annually, cause it to be registered, numbered, described and licensed for one year in the office of the clerk of the city or town in which the dog is kept, and shall cause it to wear around its neck a collar to which shall be attached a metal tag with the following information thereon: the name of the city or town, year of issue of license and its registered number.  The tag and license shall be furnished by the clerk at the expense of the city or town.   Regardless of when the license is obtained, the license shall be effective from May 1 of each year to April 30th of the subsequent year.

Transfer:  A license duly recorded shall be valid in any part of the state, and may be transferred with the dog licensed.  The clerk of the town or city may charge $1.50 to cover the cost of the new license.

466:1-a:  Vaccination Required.  I. Before a license can be issued under the provisions of this subdivision, the owner or keeper of a dog shall furnish to the clerk verification from a licensed veterinarian that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies in accordance with RSA 436. II. Notwithstanding paragraph I, if a valid rabies certificate is on file with the clerk in accordance with RSA 436:102, the owner shall not be required to produce such verification at time of licensure.

The registrant is required to produce a valid rabies certificate for the dog and if applicable; spaying/neutering certificate.  Licensed can be obtained by mail with the proper documentation and fee.  You may also process this request Online.

466:7  Additional Charge Where Payment of License Fee is Delayed.  In addition to the license fees provided in RSA 466:4, there shall be a charge of $1 for each month or any part thereof that the fees remain unpaid if said fees are not paid before June 1 in any year.

466:13 Forfeiture. – Whoever is the owner or keeper of a dog and who fails to license or renew the dog license pursuant to RSA 466:1 shall forfeit $25 to the town or city clerk of the municipality in which the dog is kept. If the forfeiture is not made to the town or city clerk within 15 calendar days of the notice of forfeiture, the case may be disposed of in a district court as a violation with a fine not to exceed $50, notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 651:2, IV. A forfeiture shall not relieve the owner or keeper of the requirement of proper licensing of the dog as required by RSA 466:1.

466:14  Warrants; Proceedings.  The town or city clerk shall annually, between June 1 and June 20, present to the local governing body a list of those owners of dogs that have failed to license or not renewed their dog licenses pursuant to RSA 466:1. The local governing body shall, within 20 days from June 20th, issue a warrant to the local official authorizing a civil forfeiture for each unlicensed dog.  The warrant may also authorize a local law enforcement officer to seize any unlicensed dog. The civil forfeiture may be sent by certified mail, or delivered in hand, or left at the abode of the dog owner. The cost of service shall not exceed $7 and may be recovered by the city or town in addition to the amount of the civil forfeiture.