HB 1766 will strip New Hampshire’s animal cruelty
Over my 30-year career in law enforcement, I have seen all kinds of animal abuse crimes. Thankfully, New Hampshire’s cruelty laws have nearly always allowed my officers to intervene. Legislation currently on Gov. Ayotte’s desk, House Bill 1766, will strip many of these protections, so I am respectfully urging her to veto it.
The bill might appear benign to those unfamiliar with how animal crimes function in the state, but in reality, it will severely limit how departments can address cruelty cases, marking a demonstrable step backward for animal welfare in our state.
The Lee Police Department works closely with and relies heavily on the New Hampshire SPCA. When officers encounter abused or neglected farm animals, our department does not have the facilities, the specialized training or the budget to handle it on our own. Most departments would have a tough time housing a herd of cattle or a flock of sheep through the duration of a criminal trial. As a result, we depend on rescue organizations like the NH SPCA to provide this critical support.
HB 1766 shifts the burden of intervention from specialized rescue organizations and onto local towns, significantly impacting local budgets. Police departments are not equipped to, nor should we be expected to, serve as long-term sanctuaries for agricultural animals. The result will be that animals will be exposed to prolonged suffering, and enforcement agencies will be unable to intervene. This bill will tie our hands, create a confusing legal framework and establish
Gov. Ayotte has an opportunity to maintain the integrity of New Hampshire’s animal cruelty laws and support the officers tasked with enforcing them. Please join us in requesting a veto of HB 1766.