What state law in New Hampshire says about pets — in plain English, with a link to each source.
Last verified November 3, 2026
🚗 Hot cars
Law in place — only officials may rescue
Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in New Hampshire. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
Animals covered: "Animal" means a domestic animal, household pet, or wild animal held in captivity
Penalty: Misdemeanor as set forth in RSA 644:8 (misdemeanor for a first offense, and of a class B felony for a second or subsequent offense).
Yes. New Hampshire requires dogs, cats and ferrets 3 months and older to be vaccinated against rabies. Boosters follow the vaccine used (usually every 1 or 3 years).
What the law says: Vaccination by 3 months of age and older. Unvaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets acquired or moved into the state shall be vaccinated within 30 days after purchase or arrival, unless under 3 months of age, as specified above. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 436:100
Medical exemptions: A rabies immunization exemption may be issued, where illness or a veterinary medical condition warrants, by the local rabies control authority upon the written recommendation of a veterinarian licensed under RSA 332-B. The recommendation shall also be signed by an American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine diplomate and the state veterinarian. The exempted animal shall be maintained in…
New Hampshire has no state law stopping cities and counties from banning or restricting dogs by breed. Whether a breed is restricted depends on where you live — check your city or county ordinances before moving with a pit bull–type or other targeted breed.
New Hampshire has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.
What it covers: Damage to person or property, including sheep, lambs, fowl, or other domestic creatures
Where: Presumably any place
Defences: Trespass and torts: A person who was engaged in the commission of a trespass or other tort
Yes. New Hampshire lets a court include pets in a domestic-violence protective order (since 2014) — for example by giving the petitioner care of the animal and ordering the abuser not to harm or take it.
New Hampshire now considers animal cruelty to be “abuse” under its protection of persons from domestic violence statute. The law allows a judge to grant the petitioner of a protective order exclusive care, custody, or control of any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by the victim, the abuser, or a minor child in the household; the law also allows a judge to order the abuser to stay away from the pet in both temporary and final domestic violence protective orders.
New Hampshire has no statewide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats. Some cities and counties have their own bans — check locally before buying from a store, and ask where the puppy came from.
Yes. Dogs entering New Hampshire need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) from a vet, issued within 30 days of entry. Every dog 3 months of age and older shall be vaccinated against rabies.
As summarised by the AKC (March 2023) — confirm with the state veterinarian before you travel:
CVI required.
Entry permit is not required.
Dogs brought into the state for resale shall be inoculated against common canine viral diseases within one year, but not less than 7 days, before entry.
CVI must certify that the dogs are free from visual evidence of contagious and infectious diseases.
Dogs shall not enter the state from an area under quarantine for rabies.
Every dog 3 months of age and older shall be vaccinated against rabies.
Dogs under 3 months of age shall be vaccinated within 30 days after they have reached 3 months of age.
Yes. New Hampshire requires dogs 4 months and older to be licensed with the town or city clerk each year by April 30, with proof of rabies vaccination.
In New Hampshire a dog that is at large — off its owner's premises and not under reasonable control — is a nuisance, and its owner can be fined. Towns may adopt stricter control rules.
