New Hampshire Service Dog Laws

Definitions

“Service animal” means any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for purposes of this definition.

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167-D:1

Accommodation Law

It is lawful for any service animal to accompany his or her handler or trainer into any public facility, housing accommodation, or place of public accommodation to which the general public is invited.

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167-D:4

A service animal trainer, while engaged in the actual training process, shall have the same rights and privileges with respect to access to public facilities, and the same responsibilities as are applicable to persons with disabilities using a service animal.

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167-D:6

It is unlawful for a person, directly or indirectly, either to prohibit, hinder, or interfere with a service animal’s handler or trainer who otherwise complies with the limitations applicable to persons without disabilities.

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167-D:8

Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167-D:10

Harassment of/Interference with Service Dogs

It is unlawful for a person, directly or indirectly, either to prohibit, hinder, or interfere with a service animal’s handler or trainer who otherwise complies with the limitations applicable to persons without disabilities.

It is unlawful for any person to willfullyinterfere or attempt to interfere with a service animal.

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167-D:8

Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (effective until Jan. 5, 2015)
<[RSA 167-D:10 effective January 1, 2015>

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167-D:8

Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (effective until Jan. 5, 2015)
<[RSA 167-D:10 effective January 1, 2015>

1. Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to enhanced penalties in paragraphs II and III.
2. It is a misdemeanor if a person willfully causes physical injury to a service animal or willfully allows his or her animal to cause physical injury to a service animal. If the physical injury to a service animal is severe enough that a veterinarian or service animal trainer determines that the service animal is incapable of returning to service, that person shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

III. In any case where a person is convicted of harming a service animal as described in paragraph II, he or she may be ordered by the court to make restitution to the person or agency owning the animal for any bills for veterinary care, the replacement cost of the animal if it is incapable of returning to service, and the salary of the service animal handler or trainer for the period of time his or her services are lost to the agency or self employment.

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167-D:10

Driving Law

The driver of a vehicle approaching a person using a service animal shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to that person, and any driver who fails to take such precautions shall be liable in damages for any injury caused to that person.
 

Licensing Law

No fee shall be required for the registration and licensing of a guide dog which is used as a guide for a blind person, a hearing ear dog which is used by a deaf person, or a service dog which is used by a mobility impaired person.

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 466:8

Fraudulent Representation 

It is unlawful for any person to fit an animal with a collar, leash, vest, sign, or harness of the type which represents that the animal is a service animal, or service animal tag or to request a service animal tag if in fact said animal is not a service animal. (effective after Jan 5, 2015)

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167-D:8

Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 167-D:10