Dog Owners of the Granite State

Here’s a quick updates on some of the bills we followed this year.  Two passed.  HB 1525 gives the board of veterinary medicine jurisdiction over physical therapists practicing on animals.  HB 1417 was amended by the Senate to allow a restaurant owner to bring their dog to work with them provided they post a notice.

HB 431 – requiring that an adversive agent be added to antifreeze died when the House and the Senate couldn’t reconcile their differences in a Committee of Conference.  While DOGS supported this bill, recent studies have shown that the addition of a bittering agent to antifreeze has not had the effect that was hoped for at least in children.  This study found that “bittering agents do not decrease the frequency or severity of pediatric antifreeze poisonings.”

In other news, the legislature repealed the Pet Overpopulation Committee as part of the omnibus commission repeal bill.  The committee had not met in five years.  The attempt to outsource the management of the state’s spay/neuter fund was rejected.

The NH legislature has reached the half-way point in the 2010 legislative session. All the bills that originated in the House that have gained approval must be moved to the Senate for consideration and vice-versa.  A handful of the bills that DOGS are concerned about remain active and in need of our advocacy.

NH LEGISLATIVE ACTION UPDATE

SB 365: requires that animal shelters and rescue organizations cannot sell, give away, adopt, or otherwise transfer ownership of any dog or cat unless it has been sexually sterilized. An exemption from the requirement is provided for shelters that can demonstrate that at least 85% of the dogs transferred had been sterilized in the previous year through the voucher system or private means.

DOGS supported the bill which was requested by animal shelter advocates. DOGS requested an amendment, incorporated into the bill, that added essential protections for animals and animal owners such as an exemption for health an animal’s health status and an animal that is reclaimed by its owner.

Further amendments are being prepared for the House Environment Committee public hearing by DOGS. It seems that an over-vigorous animal control officer is requiring cat hobby breeders to obtain state licenses much like animal brokers, pet stores and commercial kennels. Our amendment will make it clear that those who transfer less than 10 litters or 50 kittens in a 12-month period are not required to obtain a state license. STATUS: Passed the Senate with amendments. Next step: public hearing before the House Environment & Agriculture Committee on April 13th at 11am in room 308 of the LOB

HB 1417: allowing companion dogs in certain areas of restaurants at the owners’ discretion. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Butler, owns an Inn and the new health inspector maintains that the owner’s dogs having access to the dining room is a violation of the state regulations. DOGS is supporting the bill. STATUS: The House passed the bill. Next step: Senate Commerce Committee public hearing to be announced.

HB 1525: allowing appropriately trained physical therapists to practice on animals. The bill adds language to the statute passed last year that is agreeable to the therapists and the NH veterinarian’s association. DOGS supports the bill. STATUS: Passed the House. Next step: Senate public hearing to be scheduled.

HB 431: requiring certain engine coolants and antifreeze to include an aversive agent so that they are rendered unpalatable. DOGS supports this bill. STATUS: Passed the House. Next step: A public hearing is scheduled April 8th at 8:35am before the Senate Energy Committee.

The DOGS Legislative Briefing Newsletter was suspended for few weeks while the legislature took a vacation break and the House cleared up a backlog of action on other bills. The diligent advocacy activities of DOGS members made a significant difference in the outcome of several bills. Every bill that DOGS opposed has been killed. The bills that remain for the last half of the NH legislative session require our support – a way to help those that have helped us and show that DOGS is pro-active.

NH LEGISLATIVE ACTION UPDATE

HB 1639 : Dog Tethering Requirements & Unlawful Taking

The House Criminal Justice Committee voted 13-2 to kill the bill (Inexpediant to Legislate). Representative Gagne in the committee report stated that the bill contained “requirements for a proper tether which the majority felt was unduly intrusive. We also felt that the current statutes are adequate at this time because this bill, if enacted, would punish all animal owners, including mushers, rather than the occasional animal abuser.” On March 11th, the House voted to accept the committee recommendation and the bill is killed for this year.

Many thanks to all who made the extra effort to testify in opposition and send numerous messages to the committee and your local representatives.

HB 1624: placing undue restrictions on dog breeders and owners under the guise of eliminating “puppy mills”.

STATUS: Killed in the House on February 10th.

SB 365: requires that animal shelters (including dog rescue shelters) cannot sell, give away, adopt, or otherwise transfer ownership of any dog or cat unless it has been sexually sterilized. DOGS supported the bill which was requested by animal shelter advocates. DOGS requested an amendment that added essential protections for animals and animal owners such as; an exemption for health reasons and an animal reclaimed by its owner. The amendment was incorporated into the bill. Further amendments are being prepared for the House Committee public hearing by DOGS in coordination with the State Veterinarian.

STATUS: Passed the Senate with Amendment. DOGS’ requested amendments were incorporated into the bill. A Senate floor amendment was accepted that requested by Sen. Roberge, bill’s sponsor, that provided for an exemption for shelters that can demonstrate that at least 85% of the dogs transferred had been sterilized in the previous year through the voucher system or private means. Next step: public hearing before the House Environment & Agriculture Committee to be announced.

HB 1417: allowing companion dogs in certain areas of restaurants at the owners’ discretion. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Butler, owns an Inn and the new health inspector maintains that the owner’s dogs having access to the dining room is a violation of the state regulations. DOGS is supporting the bill.

STATUS: The House Commerce Committee is recommended the bill for passage and it passed the House. Next step – Senate Commerce Committee public hearing to be announced.

HB 1525: allowing appropriately trained physical therapists to practice on animals. The bill adds language to the statute passed last year that is agreeable to the therapists and the NH veterinarian’s association. DOGS supports the bill.

STATUS: Passed the House. Next step: Senate public hearing to be scheduled.

HB 1596: changes the time period by 15 days during which dog owners who have failed to license their dogs shall be notified of the civil forfeiture of each unlicensed dog and increases the warrant fee from $5 to $10. The bill was requested by the municipal clerks’ organization. After attending the public hearing, DOGS still didn’t understand why the bill was needed.

STATUS:  House voted to kill the bill.

HB 431: requiring certain engine coolants and antifreeze to include an aversive agent so that they are rendered unpalatable. DOGS supports this bill.

STATUS: Awaiting a recommendation from the House Criminal Justice Committee on the penalty provisions in the bill. Previously, it was approved for passage by the House Commerce Committee for the commerce provisions.

NH LEGISLATIVE ACTION

HB 1639 (Dog Tethering Requirements & Unlawful Taking) – House Criminal Justice Committee Votes.

On February 11th, the House Criminal Justice Committee voted to recommend the bill Inexpedient to Legislative in a 13-2 vote. Rep. Larry Gagne from Manchester made the motion. Representatives McCarthy and Chandley voted against the motion to recommend killing the bill. The bill will likely be voted on by the full House on February 24th.

Many thanks to all who prepared and presented testimony and signed in opposed as well as those who sent letters. The members of this committee are becoming more knowledgeable about animal issues because of your involvement.

HB 1624: placing undue restrictions on dog breeders and owners under the guise of eliminating “puppy mills”. Killed in the House on February 10th.

DOGS is grateful for all the time and thought that members put into making contacts with legislators on this bill. Not only did our position on the bill prevail but the messages helped create a better understanding among legislators about our issues. Read more…