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Council adopts ordinance requiring muzzles for dogs deemed 'vicious' for two years
Summary
Keene adopted O202535 to require dogs officially determined to be 'vicious' to wear muzzles for two years; the ordinance includes a $50 fine for noncompliance and a path to early reduction with certified training and animal control officer approval.
Keene — The Keene City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance O202535 on Dec. 8, adding a requirement that dogs determined to be "vicious" under state definitions wear a muzzle for two years.
Councilor Robert C. Williams, who spoke to the motion, recounted a prior attack on a small dog named Suzette and said the ordinance followed a state-law change that allows municipalities to require muzzles in such cases. “If the owner doesn't muzzle their dog, they face a $50 fine,” Williams said, describing the ordinance’s enforcement provisions and noting a route to early reduction of the muzzle period if a certified trainer documents improvement and the animal control officer approves.
Williams credited Representative Jody Newell for shepherding enabling legislation through the statehouse and thanked city staff and the city attorney for drafting the local ordinance. The council adopted the ordinance on a roll-call vote with unanimous support.
What’s next: The animal control officer will implement the ordinance provisions for dogs found to meet the local definition of vicious; the enforcement mechanism includes fines and possible further penalties if noncompliance leads to additional attacks.
