The New Hampshire (NH) House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hear public testimony on multiple bills impacting dogs next week.
SUPPORT CONFISCATION OF ANIMALS FROM PERSONS SUSPECTED OF OR CHARGED WITH ABUSE OF ANIMALS:
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the committee has a public hearing scheduled at 1PM for HB 616, which would (1) ensure a person charged with animal cruelty is aware of their right to hire a licensed veterinarian of their choice to examine the animals; (2) require proof that proper care and facilities can be provided for adults and offspring by the confiscating party if any lactating animals are taken; and (3) prohibit anyone initiating an animal welfare complaint from participating in or being present during any investigation into that complaint.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) takes a strong line on animal cruelty. We support HB 616’s provisions for several reasons. Because elderly or sick animals under the care of a veterinarian can appear neglected or abused, they have occasionally been improperly confiscated by officials. Animal owners ought to be made aware of their legal right to obtain a veterinary examination when questioned. Lactating animals require special care and separating adults from offspring can result in serious harm. Photos and videos of animal cruelty cases are utilized by some organizations to create an emotional connection with donors but, can compromise criminal investigations.
MULTIPLE BILLS IMPACTING DOGS:
On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the committee has scheduled public hearings for the following:
10AM HB 250 would enable local governing bodies to regulate the muzzling of dogs.
11AM HB 424 would direct the department of agriculture, markets, and food to create forms for businesses to request information about service animals and establish a committee to study the protection of business owners from requests to accommodate customers with fraudulent or untrained service animals.
1PM HB 262 would amend the current municipal group license for owners of more than five dogs to limit the license’s validity for only owning up to seven dogs. It would add additional fees and require individual dog licenses for each dog owned over the new seven group license limit.
2PM HB 401 would prohibit facilities from receiving money from the state of New Hampshire in order to perform tests on animals unless such tests are for the direct benefit of the animals being tested.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: New Hampshire residents are strongly encouraged to electronically register your comments by emailing members of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee.
- You may register your comments on the New Hampshire General Court’s website available using this form. After providing your personal information, select the March 4 or 5 hearing date. Using the drop-down menus, select the House Environment and Agriculture Committee and the hearing time and bill number listed above in order to register your position.
- You may speak in person at the March 4 or 5, 2025, House Committee hearing in Room 301-303 of the Legislative Office Building, 33 North State Street. Concord, NH 03301. Sign in to testify when you arrive at the scheduled time noted above for each bill.
For more information on these or other legislative issues in New Hampshire, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org; or the Dog Owners of the Granite State at dogs.nh@gmail.com.