Mike Bober is the president and CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network.

Soon the NH House of Representatives will consider HB 1102, a bill that would make it illegal to breed or sell “snub nosed” dogs, like French bulldogs or Boston terriers, and cats like Persians or Himalayans. While the intention may be to encourage healthy breeding standards, the reality is that this bill has serious flaws that will hurt both pets and their owners across the Granite State.

For thousands of years, humans have responsibly bred dogs and cats with shorter muzzles — there are over a dozen dog breeds identified by the American Kennel Club as brachycephalic, or short-nosed, including bulldogs and boxers, Pekingese and pugs. Four of the most popular dog breeds in the country in 2022, including French bulldogs, the most popular breed, are “brachys.” Does Concord think that all these pet owners are encouraging animal cruelty?

This bill outlaws breeding and selling animals with so-called “birth deformities” and specifically calls out “brachycephaly” as just one example. This is bad policy that outright ignores veterinary science. Brachycephaly is not a birth defect, and simply raising these dogs and cats is not animal cruelty. Responsible breeders across the U.S. raise short-nosed animals that lead happy, fulfilling lives with loving families. If this bill passes, who knows what other breeds, or even species, would be prohibited by calling their traits “birth deformities” and banning them.

This bill does not provide a definition for “birth deformity” and there is no standard for brachycephaly in either state law or veterinary medicine. This raises many questions. How can a law like this work if its main terms are not even defined? Will state workers be measuring the noses of every puppy and kitten in New Hampshire? Does the legislature really believe people will lose interest in the most sought-after dog breeds in the country if this passes?

Ambiguity in HB 1102 also restricts the rights of responsible pet owners. It threatens fundamental freedoms: the freedom to choose our ideal pets and to experience the joys and benefits of the human-animal bond. These restrictions on responsible pet ownership fly in the face of the Granite State motto, “Live Free or Die.”

As advocates for animals, we do all we can to ensure the health and well-being of pets. In this case, that means ensuring that licensed and reputable breeders are the ones providing people with their dogs and cats. HB 1102 is not a solution to any problem; it’s a recipe for heartache that will drive would-be pet owners out of state or, worse, toward unscrupulous actors.

We urge the legislature to reject this ill-conceived bill and instead focus on bills that promote responsible breeding practices and the humane treatment of all animals. Let’s work together to ensure that New Hampshire remains a place where pets and their owners can thrive, free from unnecessary government interference.