The New Hampshire state legislature adjourned last month with a positive result for dogs and dog owners who rely on veterinarians. On July 19, Governor Sununu signed HB 1526 into law authorizing the state Board of Veterinary Medicine to issue conditional licenses for foreign-educated veterinarians practicing under a New Hampshire licensed veterinarian.
The American Kennel Club Government Relations department (AKC GR) worked closely with New Hampshire Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS) in responding to more than a dozen New Hampshire bills of concern, which included:
HOUSE BILL 1102 – DEFINING ANIMAL CRUELTY
HB 1102 would have labelled brachycephaly a “birth deformity” and make the breeding or sale of any animal that has a “birth deformity” that causes suffering a criminal act. A public hearing was conducted on March 5, 2024, and a broad coalition in opposition provided extensive testimony, alerts and public outreach, scientific rebuttal and educational information. The committee voted the measure “inexpedient to legislate” and on March 28, the full House voted to lay the bill on the table to impede its forward progress for the remainder of the session.
HOUSE BILL 1173 – DISPOSITION OF VICIOUS DOGS
HB 1173 would have authorized seizure and a court order to issue and euthanize any dog that has attacked a human being or a domestic animal that resulted in the puncture or tearing of skin, two or more times within a 12-month period. AKC expressed concerns at a House Environment and Agriculture Committee’s February 21 public hearing that the bill did not account for instances where a dog might respond to a trespasser or have been provoked. The committee voted it inexpedient to legislate on March 13 and the full House agreed on March 28.
SENATE BILL 541/HOUSE BILL 1680 – RETAIL PET STORES/VENDORS
SB 541 would have defined “pet vendor” as related to a “retail pet store” as a licensee that transfers animals at retail to the public from a physical facility. It would also have: capped “retail pet stores” to the transfer of cats and dogs at 2023 levels; prohibited the sale of “retail pet stores” to anyone but family members; and required future New Hampshire “retail pet stores” to source dogs and cats only from animal shelters. AKC issued an alert and testified in opposition. The committee voted to refer the bill to interim study. A companion bill, HB 1680, was considered by the House Environment and Agriculture Committee. AKC testified in opposition with NH DOGS and the bill was voted inexpedient to legislate.
Problematic bills that did not advance in 2024 could be redrafted and refiled for the 2025 session. Take time now to prepare for advocacy. Meet with your state senator and representative in your district and let them know that you, your AKC club, AKC GR and NH DOGS are reliable and knowledgeable resources on dog issues. View AKC’s Legislative Action Center at www.akcgr.org where you can find information on key issues affecting dogs and access downloadable fact sheets and advocacy resources.
For information and assistance from AKC GR, please email doglaw@akc.org.