TITLE XLV
ANIMALS

Chapter 466-A
WOLF HYBRIDS

Section 466-A:1

    466-A:1 Definitions. –
In this chapter:
I. [Repealed.]
II. "Canine" means a member of a species of mammal consisting of dogs, wolves, jackals, foxes, and coyotes.
III. "Hybrid" means an offspring of 2 animals of different species or genera.
IV. "Owner" means any person keeping, harboring, or having charge or control of a hybrid, or permitting any hybrid to habitually be or remain on, or be lodged or fed within such person's house, yard, or premises. This term shall not apply to veterinarians or kennel operators temporarily maintaining on their premises hybrids owned by other persons.
V. "Person" means any individual, partnership, company, association, trust, corporation, governmental unit or agency, or any other legal entity.
VI. "Wolf" means any canine classified as Canis lupis or Canis rufus.
VII. "Wolf hybrid" means any canine which has had a wolf ancestor within the previous 4 generations. This definition shall include a wolf or wolf hybrid as either a sire or dam, grandsire or dam, great-grandsire or dam or great-great grandsire or dam. An animal shall also be considered a wolf hybrid if it has been represented by its owner or former owner as having wolf ancestry.

Source. 1994, 265:1. 1995, 91:1. 1998, 309:4, eff. June 26, 1998.

Section 466-A:2

    466-A:2 General Applicability. – The provisions of RSA 466, RSA 436:99-109 and RSA 644:8, shall apply to wolf hybrids, except as modified by the provisions of this chapter.

Source. 1994, 265:1. 1995, 91:1, eff. Sept. 29, 1995.

Section 466-A:3

    466-A:3 Prohibitions. –
I. No person shall sell or resell, offer for sale or resale, or release or cause to be released a wolf hybrid in the state of New Hampshire.
II. (a) A person may import a wolf hybrid provided the wolf hybrid is spayed or neutered and has proper documentation of the spaying or neutering.
(b) A person may bring a wolf hybrid into the state temporarily for competitive events.
III. Any person possessing a wolf hybrid shall keep accurate licensing and vaccination records, as required by RSA 466-A:2 and neutering records, as provided in RSA 466-A:3, II, which shall be available for inspection by an animal control officer or law enforcement officer.

Source. 1994, 265:1. 1995, 91:3-6. 1998, 309:1, eff. June 26, 1998.

Section 466-A:4

    466-A:4 Vaccination. – The owner of a wolf hybrid shall be required by the veterinarian administering the rabies vaccination, as required by RSA 436:100, to sign an affidavit in the presence of a veterinarian indicating awareness that the use of the canine-approved vaccine on wolf hybrids is experimental and acknowledging that neither the veterinarian administering the vaccine nor the manufacturer of the vaccine shall be liable in the event the wolf hybrid contracts rabies. The commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food shall determine the form and content of this affidavit by rules adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A. If the commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food makes a determination that the rabies vaccine is proven to be effective when administered to wolf hybrids, then the signing of this affidavit shall no longer be required.

Source. 1994, 265:1. 1995, 130:4, 5, eff. July 23, 1995.

Section 466-A:5

    466-A:5 Confinement. – Each wolf hybrid shall be under the physical control of the owner or confined in an enclosure or structure sufficient to prohibit escape. Adequate facilities and shelter, clean of waste and debris and free of infestation, shall be provided for keeping such animal.

Source. 1994, 265:1, eff. June 6, 1994.

Section 466-A:5-a

    466-A:5-a Rulemaking Authority. – The commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food shall adopt rules, under RSA 541-A, relative to standards for confinement and control under RSA 466-A:5.

Source. 1998, 309:2. 2012, 171:25, eff. Aug. 10, 2012.

Section 466-A:6

    466-A:6 Penalty; Administrative Fines. –
I. Any person in violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
II. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, or any rule or order of the commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food, shall be subject to the imposition of an administrative fine levied by the commissioner, not to exceed $1,000 for each violation.

Source. 1994, 265:1. 1998, 309:3, eff. June 26, 1998.