Dog Owners of the Granite State (DOGS)
2014 NH Legislation Summary Report
July 2014
During the 2014 NH Legislative Session, DOGS was actively engaged on 17 bills that would impact ownership, breeding, training and working with dogs and other companion animals. Again, this year, numerous members of DOGS responded to our “Calls to Action”. The efforts of DOGS’ members made a difference in the outcome of several bills. Our members testified at public hearings, contacted legislators and had letters to the editor published in local papers. In fact, at many hearings, DOGS was the only voice speaking out on animal ownership, safety, breeding and veterinary issues.
DOGS legislative advocacy prevented bills from passing that would have required dogs health certificates be issued by accredited veterinarians, increased the cost of notification of forfeiture for not licensing a dog, removed wolf hybrid dogs from the jurisdiction of the State Veterinarian and banned them from entering the state for any reason. We were able to secure amendments to bills that passed. Some bills that DOGS supported did not pass such as removing the exemption that shelters have from providing a health certificate at sale/transfer. Nevertheless, each bill provided opportunities to educate legislators and lay groundwork for better understanding in the future.
DOGS appreciates the tireless work of Representatives Jan Gardner, Bob Haefner, Tara Sad, John Hunt, and Linda Massimila who supported our concerns. DOGS is grateful for the House Environment & Agriculture Committee’s commitment to protecting the rights of animal owners and the safety and health of animals. The final dispositions of the major bills that DOGS was involved with are summarized below.
Please remember to vote in the September Primary and November General Elections. Don’t hesitate to ask candidates about their positions on pet issues. Contact DOGS if your group is interested in a presentation that will include a summary of the 2014 Legislative Session and a preview of 2015 issues and concerns.
New Laws – Legislation Enacted in 2014
Bill # Summary Status DOGS’ Comments
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HB 1121
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Repeals the duty of property tax assessors to compile a list of dogs in the municipality. | Signed into law by the Governor. Effective 7/26/14. Chapter Law 43. A copy of the enacted bill is at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
DOGS supported. This information is collected and updated annually by the city/town clerk during the dog licensure. |
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HB 1144 |
Creates a committee to study access to arrest information. | Signed into law by the Governor. Effective 7/11/14. Chapter Law 172. A copy of the enacted bill is at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
DOGS recognizes the need to better protect the privacy of those who are charged but not convicted of a crime, such as animal abuse. |
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HB 1261 |
Increases the fee for notice of civil forfeiture of an unlicensed dog from $5 to “not to exceed” $7. | Signed into law by the Governor. Effective 7/1/14. Chapter Law 178. A copy of the enacted bill is at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
DOGS opposed the original version of the bill that allowed each municipality to set its own fee. We advocated for an increase that reflected the cost of mailing a certified letter. |
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HB 1367 |
Exempts birds from the requirement to provide a health certificate at sale/transfer. | Signed into law by the Governor. Effective.. Chapter Law xx. A copy of the enacted bill is at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
There are no vaccination requirements for birds. DOGS understands that for birds a health certificate may be impractical. |
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HB 1410 |
Allows animals to be included in protective domestic orders. | Signed into law by the Governor. Effective. 7/21/14. Chapter Law 238. A copy of the enacted bill is at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
DOGS joined in with the NH Chiefs of Police Assoc. to advocate for the bill’s passage.. |
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HB 1451 |
Establishing March 13th as Canine Veterans Day. | Signed into law by the Governor. Effective. 8/15/14. Chapter Law 127. A copy of the enacted bill is at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
DOGS supported. |
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HB 1568 |
Increases the penalties for “willful” injury to a service dog and for impersonating a service dog. . Also, adopts training standards of the International Assn. of Dog Partners. | Signed into law by the Governor. Effective. 1/1/15. Chapter Law 66. A copy of the enacted bill is at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
DOGS successfully advocated the removal of language that presumed the companion animal/owner was at fault in an altercation with a service dog. |
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HB 1579 |
Increases the penalties for illegally set traps that cause the death of a domestic animal.Requires trapping education for license applicants who have not held a trapping license in this state during any of the previous 3 years. | Signed into law by the Governor. Effective. 1/1/15. Chapter Law 155. A copy of the enacted bill is at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
The original bill banned certain traps that are necessary to protect livestock from harm and alternative traps were not feasible. DOGS supported the final version of the bill. |
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HB 1636 |
Allows reduced spay/neuter fees for families at or below 130% of poverty level. | Signed into law by the Governor. Effective 7/11/14. Chapter Law 187. A copy of the enacted bill is at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
DOGS supported. The bill was requested by the Department of Agriculture (State Veterinarian). |
Held for Study
The following bills may be scheduled for study meetings during the summer and fall. The Committee retaining the bill schedules and conducts the meetings. Since 2014 is the end of the legislative biennium, the bill will need to be reintroduced to be considered in 2015.
Bill # Summary Status DOGS Comments
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HB 1578 |
Sets forth record keeping requirements for licensed animal transferors. | Retained for study by the Retained for study by the House Environment & Agriculture Committee. A copy of the bill is available at http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
DOGS supported reasonable record keeping requirement for licensees. |
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SB 407 |
Transfers jurisdiction over wolf hybrid dogs from the Dept. of Agriculture to the Dept. of Fish and Game. Also, bans wolf hybrids in NH (including for competitive events). | Retained for study by the House Environment & Agriculture Committee. A copy of the bill is available at http://www.gencourt.state.nh. |
DOGS opposes. The American Kennel Club has approved several “stock breeds” that can compete in AKC Companion Events. One is the Czechoslovakian Vlcak (cross between a German Shepard and a Carpathian Wolf). |
Defeated Bills – Killed in 2014
Bill # Summary Status DOGS Comments
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HB 110 |
Requires persons who record cruelty to livestock to report it and submit the recording to law enforcement. | Tabled and Killed in the House.
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DOGS supported. Recordings of suspected animal abuse are evidence and should be turned over to law enforcement for appropriate action prior to being edited or released to the public. Prompt reporting of suspected abuse best protects animal safety. |
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HB 1178 |
Repeals the exemption that shelters have from providing a health certificate at the sale/transfer of a dog. | Killed in the House. | DOGS supported. Providing a health certificate is a matter of public health and safety. |
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HB 1179 |
Provides a refund or retain option if a health certificate cannot issue after the sale/transfer of a dog or cat. Also repeals the shelter’s health certification exemption. | Killed in the House | DOGS supported the repeal of the shelter exemption and requested changes be made in the remainder of the bill. |
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HB 1492 |
Allows municipalities to recover the full cost of notifying the owner of a civil forfeiture due to an unlicensed dog. | Killed in the House | DOGS opposed. A uniform sum certain (such as the cost of a certified letter) ensures that the cost will be reasonable. |
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HB 1598
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Creates a “friends of animals” license plates to fund animal welfare organizations | Killed in the House. | DOGS proposed an amendment which would dedicate the funds to the Spay/Neuter Fund and the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. |
