New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Res - Commissioner, Department of Resources and Economic Development
Chapter Res 7300 - PARKS AND RECREATION
Part Res 7301 - RULES RELATING TO ALL PARKS AND DRED PROPERTIES
Section Res 7301.08 - Animals

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules Res 7301.08

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) For purposes of this section, "animal" means any domestic animal kept for pleasure, comfort or both rather than utility, including but not limited to dogs and cats, and animals traditionally associated with agriculture such as cattle, sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas, or swine, and wildlife raised in captivity, but excluding equines and animals used for utility covered in Res 7301.09.

(b) Service animals, including animals used for detection and search and rescue training and operations, shall be exempt from all prohibitions in this section unless stated otherwise.

(c) Animals shall be permitted on a DRED property unless temporarily prohibited or restricted to public use by posting under Res 7301.07, or prohibited or restricted to animals under:

(1) Res 7301.08(d), where animals shall be permitted only in certain areas during the operating season;

(2) Res 7301.08(e), where animals shall be prohibited in certain areas during the operating season;

(3) Res 7301.08(f), where animals shall be permitted where normally prohibited under (d) and (e) after seasonal property closings and prior to seasonal property openings, except for certain restrictions at Hampton Beach state park; or

(4) Res 7301.08(g), where animals shall be prohibited year round.

(d) In accordance with (e) and (g) herein, during the operating season animals shall be permitted on DRED properties except at DRED properties listed below where animals shall be permitted only in the following areas:

(1) In Bear Brook state park, at the campground and hiking trails only;

(2) In Crawford Notch state park, at the campground, park hiking trails and the designated dog walk area at the Willey site only;

(3) In Franconia Notch state park, at the designated dog walk area and on hiking trails only, but not ski trails;

(4) In Greenfield state park, at the campground and on hiking trails only;

(5) In Mollidgewock state park, at the campground only;

(6) In Moose Brook state park, at the campground and on hiking trails only;

(7) In Mount Washington state park, at designated areas only;

(8) In Umbagog state park, at base camp and designated remote campsites only; and

(9) In Wellington state park, at the access area of the state boat launch and at the hiker parking area and trails on the west side of West Shore Road only.

(e) In accordance with (d) and (g) herein, during the operating season where animals are otherwise permitted, animals shall be prohibited in the following areas:

(1) At state park coastal beaches, including Rye Harbor also known as "Ragged Neck;"

(2) At state park freshwater beaches and designated swim areas;

(3) At established state park picnic shelters, picnic areas, pavilions, and group use areas;

(4) At the beach at Fort Stark historic site;

(5) In Echo Lake state park, at the beach, picnic area or on the lake perimeter hiking trail;

(6) At Ellacoya state park;

(7) In Mount Sunapee state park, at the beach, and at the main park and ski area, during the annual arts and crafts festival;

(8) In Pawtuckaway state park, at the beach and at the campground;

(9) In White Lake state park, at the beach and at the campground, picnic areas, beaches, and near park facilities.

(f) After seasonal property closings and prior to seasonal property openings, animals shall be permitted on DRED properties unless otherwise posted or prohibited year-round under Res 7301.08(g), except:

(1) In Hampton Beach state park along Ocean Boulevard and Hampton Beach South, animals shall be permitted only from October 1 through April 30. The provisions of Res 7301.08(k) through (m) shall remain in full force; and

(2) The department shall prohibit animals in Hampton Beach state park where animals are permitted when the department determines there is a lack of compliance to this section by animal owners or the department determines it is necessary under Res 7301.07.

(g) Animals shall be prohibited year round on the following DRED properties:

(1) At Monadnock state park;

(2) At North Hampton state beach;

(3) At Odiorne state park; and

(4) At Rhododendron state park, except at the parking area and the section of Rhododendron loop which is not posted as prohibited which provides trail access to and on Little Monadnock Mountain trail.

(h) Dogs used for hunting or search and rescue shall be permitted on DRED properties off leash and under the control of their handlers in accordance with RSA 466:30-a, during hunting season or while active in search and rescue unless animals are prohibited year-round under Res 7301.08(g), search and rescue operations excepted. Dogs used for hunting shall be on a not greater than 6-foot length leash in areas where the public congregates, such as parking and trailhead areas, picnic areas, and while on established hiking trails. While on DRED properties, dogs in training for hunting shall be subject to the provisions related to such activity under RSA 207:12-a and Fis 902.04.

(i) Except for (g) and (h) above, in remote areas dogs shall be permitted off leash and under the control of their handlers in accordance with RSA 466:30-a provided that the dog is not or does not become a menace, a nuisance or vicious as defined in RSA 466:31, under which the owner or handler shall restrain, leash and remove the dog from the property. For purposes of this section, remote area means those areas and trails where and during a time when the dog owner or handler and the dog will not come in contact with other users. The dog owner or handler shall leash the dog when other users are present.

(j) Sled dog teams shall be permitted on DRED property roadways, parking areas and multi-use trails when posted as an allowable use.

(k) Except for (h) above, every animal, including service animals, shall be on a not greater than 6-foot length standard or retractable leash or lead, under the control of their handlers, and shall not be left unattended at any time or place, including in any campsite, vehicle, camper, recreational vehicle, carrier or enclosure at any time while on DRED properties.

(l) Animal owners, including owners of service animals, shall clean up and remove offsite any waste eliminated by their animal or animals from public traffic areas, including all trails, multi-use trails, walkways, sidewalks, play areas, play fields, lawns, campgrounds, beaches, and parking lots.

(m) If an animal, including a service animal, becomes objectionable to other patrons or other animals, or causes or acts in a manner that might cause or contribute to damage or hazard to patrons, property or park resources, or is a dog considered to be a menace, nuisance or vicious in accordance with RSA 466:31, as determined by the authorized DRED personnel, the owner of the animal shall immediately remove the animal from the DRED property at the request of the authorized DRED personnel.

#6167 eff 1-18-96, EXPIRED: 1-18-04

New. #8127, INTERIM, eff 7-27-04, EXPIRED: 1-23-05

New. #8532, eff 1-1-06 (from Res 7301.10); ss by #10532, eff 3-1-14

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