§ 466:42-a — Stealing Dogs; Tampering With Collars

I. Whoever steals a dog shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for the first and second offense, and a class B felony for each subsequent offense.
II. Whoever distributes or exposes a poisonous substance with intent that the same shall be eaten by any dog shall be liable to the dog's owner for its value and shall be guilty of a class B felony.
III. (a) An individual other than the owner or the authorized agent of the owner of a dog, shall not willfully or maliciously remove, tamper with, damage, or destroy a collar, tracking collar, or other electronic device placed on a dog by its owner to maintain control or locate the dog.
(b) An individual other than the owner or the authorized agent of the owner of a dog, shall not remove or cause to be removed a microchip from such dog.
(c) An individual who violates this paragraph shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(d) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect the actions of law enforcement, animal control, or an animal shelter in removing a collar or tracking collar if the dog is in imminent danger or after 7 consecutive days under RSA 466:18-a, and given that all possible effort was made to locate the dog's owner and documentation to that effect is maintained for one year.

Legislative History

1959, 1:1. 1969, 274:1. 1977, 588:6, eff. Sept. 16, 1977. 2021, 155:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2022.