HB1133 Defining and regulating livestock guardian dogs.
Defining and regulating livestock guardian dogs.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Farm owners avoid fencing costs and liability from confining guardian dogs, while non-farm residents may face minor administrative costs if disputes require enforcement action.
Your Community
Rural communities with livestock operations benefit from operational flexibility, while neighboring properties gain explicit protections against excessive barking and trespass with defined enforcement penalties.
Your Freedom
Livestock owners gain freedom to operate guardian dogs without full confinement, while neighboring residents retain enforceable recourse against nuisance behavior through clearly defined standards and penalties.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 03/11/2026 House Journal 7 P. 24
Sponsor
Thomas Schamberg (D)
The Short Version
This bill creates a registration category for livestock guardian dogs and allows them to run unleashed on properties of at least 5 acres while actively protecting livestock, but subjects them to nuisance penalties if they bark excessively or create disturbances. It affects rural farm operations and potentially nearby residents depending on enforcement of noise and trespass rules.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Livestock farmers and agricultural operations using guardian dogs on 5+ acre parcels
- ▲ Rural property owners seeking cost-effective predator protection without fencing infrastructure
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Neighbors of livestock guardian dog operations who experience barking or trespass, unless they successfully pursue complaints
- ▼ Livestock owners who violate nuisance provisions face escalating civil penalties up to $1,000 and loss of operational privileges
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.