Ordinances and RSAs

Dog & Cat

17-1 Dogs running at large.

In accordance with RSA 466:30-a, it is unlawful for an owner of any dog licensed or unlicensed to permit said dog to run at large except when used for hunting, herding, supervised competition and exhibition or training for such.

17-2 Defecation by dogs on public property; removal; violations and penalties.

  1. An owner or person having custody of any dog shall not permit said dog to defecate on any public property, including public streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, or any other public grounds within the Town unless said defecation is removed immediately and disposed of in a lawful and sanitary manner.
  2. Persons violating the Town regulation shall be subject to a fine of $50 for the first offense; $100 for the second offense, and each subsequent offense.

17-3 Common Domesticated Animals leashed during Recreation Department events.

  1. An owner or person having custody of any common domesticated animal must have the animal controlled with a leash on any public property including, but not limited to, Smith Field, Old County Road Field, or Pollard Park during any event or activity scheduled by and operated under the auspices of the Town of Plaistow Recreation Department.
  2. Persons violating this Town regulation shall be subject to a fine of $50.00 for the first offense and $100 for the second and each subsequent offense.

17-4 Impoundment (Added 08/22/2011 by the Board of Selectmen).

Any animal found at large outside the premises or property of the owner and within the Town of Plaistow may be restrained and impounded by the Plaistow Animal Control Officer or the Plaistow Police Department.

Any unlicensed dog impounded and not claimed by the owner within 7 days shall be handled as strays or abandoned dogs and turned over to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals pursuant to NH RSA 466:18-a, unless the owner within the initial 7 days licenses the dog and pays the impoundment fees incurred by the kennel.

The Animal Control Officer having custody of an animal, which the owner has refused or neglected to reclaim for a period of 7 days, or has refused or neglected to pay the just fees and charges due for boarding or other care of the animal for a period of 7 days, shall notify the owner by certified mail of the intention of the Animal Control Officer to treat the animal as abandoned. If the owner does not reclaim the animal or pay the charges and fees within 7 days after the mailing of the notification the animal shall be considered abandoned and turned over to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals pursuant to NH RSA 437:19 and NH RSA 437:20.

17-5 Impoundment Fees (Added 08/22/2011 by the Board of Selectmen).

Any owner claiming an animal impounded by the Plaistow Animal Control Officer or the Plaistow Police Department shall pay to the Town of Plaistow a boarding fee as set forth in the following schedule, pursuant to NH RSA 466:39:

Boarding: $35.00 per calendar day per animal.

Quarantine Boarding: $50.00 per calendar day per animal.

These fees are payable to the Town of Plaistow and shall be paid at the Plaistow Police Department prior to retrieving the animal from the kennel. These fees do not preclude any other fees, fines, or forfeitures associated with the impounding or boarding.

Impoundment fees may be appealed to the Town Manager or the Board of Selectmen by the owner.

RSA 466:30-a-Dog Control Law.

It shall be unlawful for any dog to run at large, except when accompanied by the owner or custodian. Any person who violates this section shall be liable for a $25 civil forfeiture payable within 96 hours. Failure to pay will result in a Summons to Plaistow District Court.

RSA 466:31, 31-a—Dog a Menace, a Nuisance or Violation

Under this section a dog is considered to be a nuisance, a menace or vicious to persons or to property under any or all, but not limited to the following conditions.

  1. If a dog is "at large", which means it is off the premises of the owner or keeper and not under the control of any person by means of personal presence and attention as will reasonably control the conduct of such dog, unless accompanied by the owner or custodian. This subparagraph shall not include a dog which is being used for hunting, supervised competition, exhibition, or training for such activities if accompanied by the owner or custodian, or a dog which is guarding, working, or herding livestock, as defined in RSA 21:34-a, II(a)(4), meaning that the owner or custodian must be able to see or hear the dog, or have reasonable knowledge of where the dog is hunting or herding, or where training is being conducted or where trials are being held, provided that such dog does not have to be within sight at all time;  
  2. If a dog 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;
  3. If it digs, scratches, or excretes, or causes waste or garbage to be scattered on property other than it’s owner’s;
  4. If any female dog in season (heat) is permitted to run at large or be off the premises of the owner or keeper during this period except when being exercised on a leash by a responsible adult. At all other times such dog shall be confined within a building or enclosure in such manner that she will not come in contact (except for intentional breeding purposes) with a male dog. A female dog in heat shall not be used for hunting;  
  5. If it growls, snaps at, runs after, or chases any person or persons not on the premises of the owner or keeper;
  6. If it runs after, or chases bicycles, motor vehicles, motorcycles, or other vehicles being driven, pulled or pushed on the streets, highways, or public ways;
  7. If whether alone or in a pack with other dogs, it bites, attacks, or preys on game animals, domestic animals, fowl or human beings.

Any person who violates these provisions shall be liable for the following civil forfeitures. Failure to pay the fine within 96 hours will result in a Summons to Plaistow District Court.

  • $25 for nuisance offense under sections A, B, C, or D
  • $50 for menace offenses under E or F
  • $100 for vicious offenses under G

RSA 264:31 -Report of Injury to Dog or Cat

Under this RSA, the driver of any vehicle who knowingly strikes a dog or cat and fails to report the incident to the dog's owner or custodian or the cat's owner or custodian or to a police officer as soon as possible, shall be guilty of a violation.