March 17 Legislative Update

Posted on 03/17/2012 by admin

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARINGS

Tuesday, March 20, 11:00 AM, House Environment & Agriculture Committee, Room 303, Legislative Office Building
SB 370 Clarifying that local law enforcement has authority to enforce animal cruelty laws.

Thursday, March 22, 9:15 AM, Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, Room 102, Legislative Office Building
HB 325: Allows purchasers to accept a sick or injured animal and requires that imported dogs, cats and ferrets be held for 48 hours at a licensed facility before being sold in order to assess health status.

Legislative Status Report

SB 370: No longer Dog breeding and care requirements. Amended in the Senate to remove the original wording and replace it with wording that clarifies the current powers of law enforcement. The bill as amended in the Senate is intended only to make clear that local law enforcement has the jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute suspected Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Legislation | Tagged , , | Comments Off

March 9 Legislative Update

Posted on 03/09/2012 by admin

After a vacation week, NH Legislature reconvened this week and took action on several bills as well as scheduled hearings on those that are passing over for consideration by the next body. The action taken on several bills is noted below.

State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Alert

DOGS wants to call your attention to the underfunding of the state veterinary diagnostic lab.  If you have occasion to chat with your state legislators, you will want to mention the concern that underfunding the state veterinary diagnostic lab has public safety ramifications.  The laboratory is a partnership between the state, the public and the University of NH. In fact, 75 cents from every dog license is dedicated to funding the lab. Its diagnostic services serve critical animal and public health needs of the state such as testing animals for rabies. Also, veterinary and livestock businesses and the UNH pre-veterinary program access the facility. The lab is facing a $300,000 annual revenue shortfall caused when the NH Department of Agriculture’s budget was reduced by the legislature. UNH is exploring alternative funding sources but it is doubtful that it will be enough to cover the shortfall. Because this facility serves a public need, the state legislature should restore the funding to the Department of Agriculture. Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Legislation | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

February 18 Legislative Update

Posted on 02/18/2012 by admin

SB 370: Dog breeding and care requirements. Amended in the Senate to remove the original wording and replaces it by adding a few words to the current powers of law enforcement section (RSA 436:8).  It is intended to make clear that local law enforcement has the jurisdiction to investigate complaints and prosecute suspected violations pertaining to the domestic animal abuse statutes.  A copy of the amendment can be obtained at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/amendments/2012-0703S.html
DOGS Position: Opposed to the original bill.  Supporting the amendment
STATUS:  Passed Senate with amendment. Awaiting House committee assignment.

HB 1498: Repealing Municipal Dog Licensing. Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Legislation, Legislative Updates | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Your Contact with Legislators Made a Difference

Posted on 02/10/2012 by admin

House Municipal & County Committee recommends HB 1498 (repealing dog licensing) as Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
On February 15th, the House will vote on the Municipal & County Committee recommendation of ITL on HB 1498. The committee voted 17-0 to kill the bill.   In its report to the House, the committee cited not only the cost of the bill but the public health and safety problems created by repealing dog licensing.
Many thanks to all who contacted house members, and testified and signed in opposed at the public hearing.  The committee’s 17-0 vote to kill the bill certainly confirms that your concerns were heard loud and clear.

Senate Executive Departments Committee recommends SB 370 (dog breeding requirements) as “ought to pass with amendment”(OTP/A).
On February 15th, the Senate will vote on the Senate Executive Departments Committee’s recommendation to pass SB 370, as amended.  This new amendment removes all the wording in the original bill.  It replaces it by adding a few words to the current powers of law enforcement section (RSA 436:8).  It is intended to make clear that local law enforcement has the jurisdiction to investigate complaints and prosecute suspected violations pertaining to the domestic animal abuse statutes.  A copy of the amendment can be obtained at:

The Committee’s vote of 5-0 to replace the bill with this amendment confirms that our members’ contacts with Senators made a difference. You are encouraged to send a note to the committee members to thank them for hearing your concerns. Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Legislation | Tagged , , | Comments Off

January 27 Legislative Update

Posted on 01/28/2012 by admin

LEGISLATIVE  UPDATE

HB 1498: Repealing dog licensing:

On January 23rd, the House Municipal & County Committee conducted a public hearing on HB 1498.   Only the sponsors of HB 1498 testified in favor of the bill.  Rep. Cohn, prime sponsor, brought in an amendment that required veterinarians to use a state issued certificate form to be developed and distributed by the Department of Agriculture. As you might expect, this wasn’t received favorably by the Veterinarians Association or the State Veterinarian.  The sponsors introduced the bill because after last year’s bill passed exempting municipalities from dog injury or damage liability, they felt there was no need to collect licensure fees to pay for claims.  Furthermore, the sponsors heard that dog licensing costs more to administer than the towns collect for it. Nevertheless, the committee members asked a number of questions that indicated they had read the numerous opposition letters sent by our members.

Four members of DOGS testified against the bill including a musher who noted that repealing group licensing would put her at odds with local zoning laws.   A representative from the NH Federation of Humane Organizations testified against the bill.  The NH Veterinarians Association, the NH Town Clerks Association, the State Veterinarian and the NH Municipal Association spoke against the bill.  Ten members of the public, including several members of DOGS, signed in opposing the bill.  The committee certainly was provided numerous reasons to recommend killing the bill, but we won’t know for sure until they vote which is expected sometime within the next two weeks.

SB 370: Dog care and breeding requirements

Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 Legislation, Legislative Updates | Tagged , , | Comments Off