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Animal Control

The Animal Control Officer is Wendy Huntley. The assistant Animal Control Officer is Heidi Hauri-GIll. All Police Officers can also help with animal control duties.

Animal Control is a division of the Police Department. Below are highlights of N.H. Laws that pertain to dogs. These overviews are not intended to replace actual and complete wording. If further information is needed, please feel to contact the Police Department, 632-7501.

1. Cemeteries: No dogs are permitted on the grounds of any cemeteries.
2. Dogs at Large: It is unlawful for any dog to be permitted to run at large at any time.
3. Female dogs in heat: It is unlawful for any female dog in heat to be off the premises of owner or keeper whether on a leash or not during this period.
4. Disturbing the Peace: No dog shall be permitted to disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood by continuous barking, or other manner that would disturb the peace and solitude of the neighborhood.
5. Nuisances: Any dog which is not licensed, disturbs the peace, is not confined, and is allowed to run at large may be declared a nuisance and may be impounded at the cost of the owner.
6. Dog bites: In the event a dog bites a person, the owner shall immediately notify the police who shall order it impounded or held on the owners premises for a period of two weeks. The dog shall be examined immediately after it has bitten anyone and again at the end of the two week period by a qualified veterinarian. If at the end of the period of confinement the veterinarian ins convinced that the dog is free from rabies, the dog shall be released from quarantine.
7. Licensing: All dogs three months old or older shall be registered and licensed. The license tag must be securely attached around the dogs neck. Registration and licensing of a dog previously registered and licensed shall be completed annually on or before the 30th of April. The licensing period shall run for one (1) year from the first day of the ensuing May. The owner or keeper of five or more dogs or a breeder of dogs shall obtain a special license. Dogs are licensed at the office of the town clerk and the owner or keeper must have a valid rabies vaccination with them at the time of licensing.
8. Dog waste: The owners or person having custody of any dog(s) shall not allow the dog to defecate on any public or private property other than the premises of the owner or the person having custody, unless the defecation is removed immediately.
9. Penalties: A fine of twenty dollars ($20.00) may be imposed for violating any animal control ordinance in addition to any other penalty fixed by law. Fines may be paid by mail or in person at the police department.
10. Missing animals. The police department shall be notified of missing animals with the following information:
    1. type of animal
    2. breed
    3. sex and color
    4. date and time last seen
    5. picture if possible
    The police department shall be notified if and when the missing animal returns.
11. Stray Animals: All stray animals are taken to the Upper Valley Humane Society.

Note: In order to take an animal, such as a deer, moose, etc., for meat, you must have tags!