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HB 1133 · 2026 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Regulating livestock guardian dogs

AI-generated

defining and regulating livestock guardian dogs.

Defines livestock guardian dogs, allows owners to register them as such with the town or city clerk, permits them to run at large under specified conditions, and creates civil penalties for nuisance behavior such as excessive barking.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill defines livestock guardian dogs and requires that their status as such be noted at the time of annual dog registration with the town or city clerk. This bill also creates penalties for nuisance livestock guardian dogs.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“For the purposes of this section, “livestock guardian dog” means a dog that is specifically trained and used for the purpose of protecting livestock from predators, and that is kept primarily with livestock in a pasture or similar environment.”
RSA 466:1-e
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a dog may run at large while it is actively engaged in the protection, herding or management of livestock, provided that such dog is:”
RSA 466:30-c
“At the time of annual dog registration under RSA 466:1, the owner or keeper of a livestock guardian dog may designate the dog as such on the registration form provided by the town or city clerk.”
RSA 466:1-e
“The owner shall provide a signed statement affirming that the dog is used for the purpose of guarding livestock, and may be required to provide proof of livestock ownership or lease.”
RSA 466:1-e

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Thomas SchambergDPrime

Public testimony

200 signed in online · 108 wrote testimony

3% support98% oppose0% neutral

ForWould deter misuse of 'livestock dog' status to neglect dogs

AgainstBarking is the essential deterrent function of LGDs

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We have an LSG dog in our neighborhood that barks every night at all hours, I welcome having some recourse for the situation. Currently, local law enforcement cannot do anything as LSG’s are exempt from nuisance dog laws.”
— Tracy Steel, Milfordsupports
“I would like to see this pass, I have a neighbor that’s has a dog that is considered a dog for his livestock but he is tired up all day and night and barks constantly all night. He does not or able to roam the area. I think this is unsafe for the dog.…”
— Leo Lessard, Milfordsupports
“While I do live in Concord now, I grew up in the countryside of NH where it was common to have livestock dogs living with the herd. I myself grew up with dogs who lived indoors with us but did protect our ducks, geese, and chickens.…”
— Meaghan Gardena, Concordsupports
“This is ridiculous! You cannot control how long a livestock guardian dog barks or where they go when they are working. They are smart independent thinkers and will protect not just their livestock but the people and property.…”
— Melissa Moore, Alexandriaopposes
“Live stock dogs are there to protect. If they don’t bark then you don’t know something is wrong. Most people with dogs that bark non stop will get them to stop. I don’t think you should make those that have a dog to protect their live stock have to pay for it.…”
— Stephanie McDonald, Andoveropposes
“Unrealistic to expect a working LGD to bark for less than 10 minutes when predators are in the area. How would document predator activity when often it is not based on sight it is nearly scent and sound.…”
— Anne Neathery, Barnsteadopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate13–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture4:08:43–4:13:575m 14slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 24, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture11:46–13:111m 25slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture1:53:43–1:55:381m 55slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 1 P. 7
  2. Feb 17, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/17/2026 01:00 pm GP 153
  3. Feb 24, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/24/2026 10:00 am GP 153
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/03/2026 10:15 am GP 153
  5. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:15 am GP 153
  6. Mar 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 10 P. 16
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 24

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.