NH HB 1766 should be vetoed
In response to the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation’s letter to the editor on June 9, I respectfully find it difficult to believe their position that HB 1766 promotes animal welfare. If this were the case, animal welfare and law enforcement would not be so strongly opposed to this legislation.
The current system works, so why are we tampering with it? Yes, farm animals, including horses, are occasionally seized. But this only happens in less than 10% of animal cruelty cases in New Hampshire. Seizure of animals is a last resort — if animals are in clear and eminent danger or if living conditions are considered deplorable. The preferred method law enforcement and Humane Society’s use to deal with animal cruelty cases include education and assistance with food, supplies, etc., for the animal owners. Removing law enforcement and Humane Society officers from cruelty cases will only put more pressure on the courts and the state vet if cruelty cases can only be addressed by one or both of these. I encourage New Hampshire residents to please let Kelly Ayotte know HB 1766 should be vetoed, as the current system does indeed promote animal welfare and informed decision-making.