Officer kills 2 dogs after owner attack

DERRY, N.H. (AP) – A police officer shot and killed two pit bulls after they attacked their owner Saturday.

Police said the officer arrived at the home to find two children outside who told them the dogs were fighting inside.

When he entered the home, he found the owner, 31-year-old Carrie McGovern, had been injured by the dogs. Police said the officer shot one dog and then killed the second after it lunged at him.

McGovern was taken to Parkland Medical Center. No one else was injured. Police said the shooting of the dogs is being investigated, but the officer appears to have acted properly.

Councilor cleared of spending suit

DOVER, N.H. (AP) – A newly elected city councilor is clear to take his seat after a judge dismissed a lawsuit against him over campaign spending.

Strafford County Superior Court Judge Peter Fauver found a city law restricting campaign spending was unconstitutional.

David Scott had admitted to spending about $140 more than city law allowed when he defeated incumbent Matt Mayberry in November.

State Rep. Peter Schmidt sued along with city resident Bill McCann. Though the suit was dismissed, the judge is not requiring them to pay Scott’s attorney fees because he determined the suit was filed in good faith.

N.H. seeks funds to protect land

PORTSMOUTH, N.H.(AP) – New Hampshire is asking for federal money to protect three coastal areas.

New Hampshire Coastal Programs director Ted Diers said coastal land is being developed so fast that the state has to protect these properties now. The goal is to preserve water quality, plant and animal habitat and public access.

The top-ranked areas for protection were identified as 248 acres in Greenland, 490 acres in Milton and Middleton called the Salmon Falls Headlands project and 158 acres along the Exeter River.

The applications go to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration for consideration. That agency will create a list of national priorities and seek money from Congress to protect specific coastal lands.

N.H. conservancy donating land

NEWMARKET, N.H. (AP) – The Nature Conservancy is transferring more than 800 acres around New Hampshire’s Great Bay to the state Fish and Game Department.

The transfer involves 12 parcels in eight Seacoast towns.

Fish and Game Executive Director Lee Perry said the land includes critical habitat for many wildlife species, particularly birds. He said protecting the land will help protect water quality and provide areas for residents to enjoy nature for generations to come.

The Executive Council has approved the transfer, which will be completed sometime later this month. The Nature Conservancy bought the land from a variety of owners over the past six years.