Strengthening Animal Cruelty Laws in New Hampshire

Concord, NH - Today, Governor Chris Sununu signed two bills that serve to strengthen protections for animals and increase penalties for those charged animal cruelty. He was joined by lawmakers and advocates at the Humane Society for Greater Nashua.

"I would like to thank the advocates at the Humane Society and Senator Jeb Bradley for their hard work, advocacy, and leadership in getting these two bills done," said Governor Chris Sununu. "Together, these two bills build upon the progress made last term in strengthening animal cruelty laws in New Hampshire by reducing costs associated with animal cruelty cases, preventing animal suffering, and protecting them from animal cruelty."

"I am glad that we have strengthened our cost of care laws to better protect taxpayers from runaway costs of unscrupulous breeders, while protecting animals from abuse," said Senator Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro). "I would like to thank Governor Sununu, the bipartisan group of legislators, the Humane Society and other advocates for everything they have done to get this law passed."

"Governor Sununu has signed into law two crucial policies to address animal cruelty," said Julia Seeley, New Hampshire State Director, The Humane Society of the United States. "Championed by Senator Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) and Representative Katherine Rogers (D-Concord), collectively these laws help address the enormous costs to care for animals who are rescued from neglect, prevent someone convicted of felony cruelty from owning or living with an animal for a minimum of five years, and ban the paraphernalia used in animal fighting. We are grateful to Governor Sununu, these legislative leaders, animal shelters, law enforcement, and countless advocates for their commitment to preventing the suffering of animals in the Granite State."

About HB 459:

Preventing Animal Suffering: By requiring Courts to hold a status hearing 14 days after animals are seized, this bill is taking significant strides towards preventing victims of animals cruelty from waiting monthsor years for a cruelty case to be completed before finding loving homes.

Reducing Costs of Cruelty Cases: By setting a deadline for payment of court-ordered, post-conviction bonds, this bill is helping to mitigate the expense of caring for animals rescued from cruelty so taxpayers and nonprofit animal organizations are not left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs.

Protecting Animals from Cruelty: By requiring Courts to hold a status hearing 14 days after animals are seized, this bill is taking significant strides towards preventing victims of animals cruelty from waiting months or years for a cruelty case to be completed before finding loving homes.

About HB 605:

Increases penalties to possess or manufacture animal fighting paraphernalia.