The House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold it hearing on SB 569 – relative to animal cruelty and establishing a commission to study certain language applicable to the transfer of animals on 04/04/2018 at 10:00 AM Legislative Office Building Room 301-303.
Please try and attend. Even if you can’t stay for the whole hearing, you can still sign in as opposed.
D.O.G.S. is opposed to SB 569 for the following reasons:
- This bill requires someone who owns 7 or more “Breeding Females” over the age of 2 to be licensed as a commercial kennel. Additionally, it says that any unspayed female who has had a litter shall be counted as a “Breeding Female” forever even if the owner has no plans ever to breed her again.
- The requirement to license as a commercial kennel is not based on any sales of dogs or puppies having taken place Other New England states require the sale of animals as a necessary part of a commercial license.
- Although the bill states that ” The term “commercial” shall not be taken into consideration for any zoning purposes.” This statement in the bill does not guarantee that the towns will treat a hobby breeder as non-commercial. Many N.H. towns have zoning requirements for “Kennels” and owners required to be licensed as a “Commercial Kennel” will be affected by these zoning requirements and may be forced to move or get rid of their dogs.
- If multiple numbers of animals, particularly large animals such as dogs and horses are confiscated, the actual cost of care will be substantial. People, who cannot afford to post a bond will lose their animals before the criminal case is concluded – even if found innocent.
- Although a homeowner who owns dogs may not sell dogs to the public, the owner’s home still would be required to be open to anyone to inspect that owner’s records. This bill is an invasion of privacy.
- The person who has had their animals confiscated would need to defend two different court cases; a criminal case for the cruelty charges and the cost of care bonding case incurring additional attorneys fees. An owner could lose the bonding case and still be found NOT guilty in the criminal case.
- Inadequately trained enforcement officials can easily mistake and have in the past an ill animal that is under veterinary care as a cruelty situation and mistakenly confiscate them forcing the owner to defend themselves in two trials while leaving the animal untreated.
What you can do:
Contact the House Environment & Agriculture Committee and politely state your opposition to SB 569-FN. This committee is comprised of 18 Representatives and they all need to hear from you. Please make a polite phone call to each member of the committee. Representatives receive thousands of emails and yours may not be read prior to the vote, so Calls and letters are the most effective way to ensure your voice is heard.
Representative John O’Connor, Chairman (Rockingham- District 06)
13 Arrowhead Road
Derry, NH 03038-3715
Phone: (603)434-8393
Email: john.o’connor@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Stephen Darrow, Vice Chairman (Grafton- District 17)
463 Slab City Road
Grafton, NH 03240-3831
Phone: (603)523-4678
Email: stephen.darrow@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Peter Bixby, Committee Clerk (Strafford- District 17)
69 Glenwood Avenue
Dover, NH 03820-2305
Phone: (603)749-5659
Email: Peter.Bixby@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Richard Gordon (Rockingham- District 35)
4 Burnt Swamp Road
East Kingston, NH 03827-2102
Phone: (603)642-7252
Email: dick.gordon@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Barbara Comtois (Belknap- District 07)
PO Box 186
Center Barnstead, NH 03225-0186
Phone: (603)776-8989
Email: Barbara.Comtois@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Kevin Verville (Rockingham- District 02)
9 McCarron Road
Deerfield, NH 03037-1729
Phone: (603)247-9005
Email: kevin.verville@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Donna Ellis (Strafford- District 08)
488 Portland Street
Rochester, NH 03867-2424
Phone: (603)332-5266
Email: donna.ellis@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Beth Richards (Merrimack- District 13)
3 Willard Street
Concord, NH 03303-3509
Phone: (603)219-0038
Email: bethrichardsforward3@gmail.com
Representative Aboul Khan (Rockingham- District 20)
3 Greenleaf Drive
Seabrook, NH 03874-4045
Phone: (603)474-1496
Representative Anne Copp (Merrimack- District 01)
41 Sheldon Road
Danbury, NH 03230-4833
Phone: (603)425-8646
Email: Anne.copp@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Paula Francese (Rockingham- District 18)
6 Granite Street
Exeter, NH 03833-3128
Phone: (603)778-1726
Email: Paula.Francese@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Sherry Frost (Stafford- District 16)
103 Mast Road
Dover, NH 03820-4452
Phone: (978)255-3924
Email: Sherry.Frost@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Catherine Sofikitis (Hillsborough- District 34)
54 Marshall Street
Nashua, NH 03060-4622
Phone: (603)465-8163
Email: catherine4Ward7@gmail.com
Representative Matthew Scruton (Strafford- District 12)
195 Ten Rod Road
Rochester, NH 03867-4246
Phone: (603)941-4956
Email: Matthew.Scruton@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Howard Pearl (Merrimack- District 26)
409 Loudon Ridge Road
Loudon, NH 03307-1708
Phone: (603)231-1482
Email: Howard.Pearl@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Alan Turcotte (Merrimack- District 22)
3 High Ridge Trail
Allenstown, NH 03275-2128
Phone: (603)485-2349
Email: alanturcotte4rep@gmail.com
Representative Amanda Gourgue (Strafford- District 25)
61 Thompson Mill Road
Lee, NH 03861-4420
Phone: (603)397-0505
Email: Amanda.Gourgue@leg.state.nh.us
Representative Caleb Dyer (Hillsborough- District 37)
122 Old Bridge Street
Pelham, NH 03076-5705
Phone: (603)417-0897
Email: cqdyer@gmail.com
Then follow-up with an email thanking them for talking with you. The entire committee may be contacted by emailing HouseEnvironmentandAgricultureCommittee@leg.state.nh.us.
In your email:
Subject Line: OPPOSE SB 569-FN: Relative to Animal Cruelty
Dear Chairman O’Connor and Honorable Members of the House Environment & Agriculture Committee
Pick one or two reasons for opposing SB569 and put them in your own words.
Be sure to include your name and your town.
And THANK YOU.
