The New Hampshire (NH) House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hear public testimony on multiple concerning bills impacting dogs next week.
OPPOSE ANIMAL ABUSE OFFENDER REGISTRY:
On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, the committee has a public hearing scheduled at 2:45PM for HB 1505, that would establish an online an animal abuser offender registry to be published by the department of public safety for any person convicted of an animal abuse offense.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) takes a strong line on animal cruelty and appreciates the intention of HB 1505. However, there is no evidence that registries deter future animal abuse. The poor treatment of animals in many cases are among the symptoms of serious mental health problems deserving of treatment rather than public ridicule. For example, despite criminal conviction, individuals with animal hoarding disorder, without treatment, will easily return to collecting stray animals. AKC believes a better use of the State’s resources than establishing and maintaining a separate registry would be to focus on and utilize enforcement activities that are proven effective.MULTIPLE BILLS OF CONCERN:
On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, the committee has scheduled public hearings for the following:
11AM HB 1316 would define the co-ownership of dogs and require a person with dogs on their property prove co-ownership either through registration and license information, veterinary records, adoption records, transfer of ownership agreement, or pedigree records.
1PM HB 1173 would allow euthanizing of dogs that attack humans or domestic animals two or more times in a 12 month period.
2PM HB 1501 repeals the requirement that dogs be registered annually. If dog licenses were eliminated, it would be impossible to trace some dogs back to their owners or town of origin for confirmation of rabies vaccination.
2:30PM HB 1556 would remove the requirement that dogs exempt from the rabies vaccine be muzzled.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: New Hampshire residents are strongly encouraged to electronically register your opposition by emailing members of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee.
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR OPPOSITION:
- Include the Bill Numbers in your email subject line.
- In your email, identify what city/town you’re emailing from.
- Send your email to all members of the committee by copying the addresses below.
State Representative Judy Aron, Chair – Judy.Aron@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Jim Creighton, Vice Chair – creighton4nh@gmail.com
State Representative Barbara Comtois, Clerk – Barbara.Comtois@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Kevin Verville – kevin.verville@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Arnold Davis – arnidavis@gmail.com
State Representative Jacob Brouillard – Jacob.Brouillard@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Matthew Coulon – Matthew.Coulon@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Catherine Kenny – Cathy.Kenny@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Kelley Potenza – Kelley.Potenza@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Lisa Smart – Lisa.Smart@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Peter Bixby – Peter.Bixby@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Catherine Sofikitis – catherine4Ward7@gmail.com
State Representative Sherry Dutzy – Sherry.Dutzy@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Megan Murray – Megan.Murray@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Nicholas Germana – Nicholas.Germana@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Linda Haskins – Linda.Haskins@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Molly Howard – Molly.Howard@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Allison Knab – Allison.Knab@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Corine Morse – corinne.morse@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Paige Beauchemin – paige.beauchemin@leg.state.nh.us
- You may register your opposition on the New Hampshire General Court’s website available After providing your personal information, select the February 20 or 21 hearing date. Using the drop-down menus, select the House Environment and Agriculture Committee and the hearing time and bill number listed above in order to register your opposition.
- You may speak in person at the February 20 or 21, 2024, House Committee hearing in Room 301-303 of the Legislative Office Building, 33 North State Street. Concord, NH 03301. Sign in to testify when you arrive at the scheduled time noted above for each bill.
For more information on these or other legislative issues in New Hampshire, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org; or the Dog Owners of the Granite State at dogs.nh@gmail.com.