Rules for Dog Owners

The Rules

Vaccination

Vaccination against rabies is required (RSA 436:100)(link is external) for dogs, cats and ferrets. Rabies vaccination must be administered by a licensed veterinarian at the age of three (3) months. Revaccination is yearly or every third year. Consult your veterinarian. Save the certificate!

License Tags

Tags, which are required to be worn by all dogs, indicate that the dog is licensed and has been vaccinated. In addition, tags identify the dog’s owner in case the pet becomes lost, injured, impounded, or bites a human or other animal. If tag is lost, replacements are only 50 cents.  Tags expire after 1 year.  Visit this link for information on Applying for a Dog License or Renewing Online

Restraint

All dogs must be kept under restraint at all times.

It is a violation of Town Ordinance 188-1(link is external) and RSA 466:31 II(a)(link is external), for a dog to be unrestrained, and can result in impoundment of the dog and fines to the owner.

Reporting Bites

In the event any animal bites or scratches any person such facts should be reported immediately to the Animal Control Officer or to the Police Department if Animal Control is not on duty, within 24 hours at (603) 886-6011.

Quarantine

The owner of a biting animal not vaccinated in accordance with RSA 436:100(link is external) shall surrender the animal to Animal Control or a Police Officer (in some cases to his/her veterinarian) for a ten (10) day observation period. The owner is responsible for any and all costs involved in boarding. A home confinement may be possible, but only if the animal is vaccinated and with approval of the Animal Control Officer or Police Officer. A general Health Certificate is required at the end of the quarantine/home confinement to be given by a licensed veterinarian and kept on file at the Police Department.

For a list of other laws (RSA’s) enforced by Animal Control and/or the Hudson Police Department, please contact Jana McMillan, Animal Control Officer, at (603) 886-6011 and ask for voice mail to leave your request.