[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6571909,"mediaKeyId","3086710-605f9da52d26d1a7e2b34eb10b9a7c92","parentId",3086710,"title","House-passed bill would tighten procedures for animal seizures and add study of cruelty statutes after Lee goat seizure","audioSeconds",2889,"startMs",1698000,"endMs",4587000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086710-605f9da52d26d1a7e2b34eb10b9a7c92&start=1698&end=4587","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086710-605f9da52d26d1a7e2b34eb10b9a7c92/thumbnail_1698000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6571909/New-Hampshire/House-passed-bill-would-tighten-procedures-for-animal-seizures-and-add-study-of-cruelty-statutes-after-Lee-goat-seizure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571909-94af45d7809cc50dee4ba4a12b49f302/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093023&Signature=gUugepDWd2ZWATlUJKM37tM0CEs52On1S48YLNsk0erpjD3yj66fzYXAUU4xSReZuoYnTjLtilKPcejo5bJy5jZSqeYtJA9Ep-8XBoEwrJ48dfBaDc7iwvSPpqqT6OryvtbYtkO5kuzK1pV7J--GT9e1YRq~5TZV0ZKL2cIPFw66LZz3G~cYffIGQXChbFDnUhWJqZof21DBXssQhGvpd4V3A5Ean9ek~30ELnO8v1KQSuUBKYhwBPYhnjsOUUv~vTYNtgOjyl8KD76WAOp5bbHfhvKTXZdxorGSLB5JYpQ~Dw~GRGyMeyqU1ESipWq-N46kNG2Xma~I95b0feVDbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-04-22T20:50:44.13Z","article","Representative Judy Aaron, sponsor of HB 616, told the Senate Judiciary Committee the bill emerged from a April seizure in Lee, New Hampshire, and aims to codify due-process protections and clearer procedures when animals are taken into custody in cruelty or neglect investigations.

Aaron described proposed changes to RSA regarding animal seizure procedures that she said were developed in consultation with the New Hampshire Farm Bureau, the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, UNH Extension and livestock owners. The changes in the bill would, among other points: direct law enforcement to consult a state veterinarian or a designated qualified veterinarian before taking livestock into custody; prohibit confiscation of animals unless the person is charged with cruelty/neglect or the animal is in imminent danger; require owners be told they may petition the court to have their animals examined by a veterinarian of their own choice (at the owner’s expense); prohibit altering confiscated animals before conviction except in extreme suffering cases; forbid custodial organizations from using seized animals for fundraising before a conviction; and require proof that facilities accepting lactating females and offspring have appropriate milking/care capacity.

Aaron said the bill also creates a study committee to review RSA 644:8 and related provisions to remove outdated or conflicting language and improve statutory clarity.

Opposing testimony: multiple witnesses raised concerns that the bill would hinder timely protection of animals. Viana O'Brien, animal-control officer for the Salem Police Department, said the cost-of-care fund reimburses shelters after the fact and that restricting fundraising by custodial organizations or requiring a designated state veterinarian to approve every livestock seizure would reduce the ability to get animals prompt care. “Under this bill, if police don't press criminal charges, removing an animal from its home, for its own safety would result in being charged with theft,” O'Brien testified, saying the provision could force officers to return animals to dangerous conditions.

The New Hampshire SPCA’s equine and farm program manager, Michelle Murch, said the SPCA provides an important statewide capacity to shelter and treat seized livestock; she said cruelty investigations can last 12 to 18 months and that the cost-of-care fund does not cover the full expense. Several humane and animal-rights groups opposed the bill, saying it would limit humane societies’ ability to assist law enforcement and to raise funds needed to care for animals held as living evidence.

Law-enforcement perspective: Hudson Police Chief Tad Dionne and the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police warned the committee the bill, as drafted, could create unworkable burdens on police: mandating a state veterinarian’s involvement in probable-cause determinations and restricting certain seizure paths could delay response and impose higher burdens than in other criminal investigations. Dionne said the Chiefs’ association opposed the bill as drafted and urged formation of a working group that includes law enforcement before statutory changes.

Veterinarian testimony: Dr. Lisa Boyer, a licensed veterinarian and court-qualified expert who participated on-site in the Lee incident, opposed the bill’s requirement that no seizures occur without criminal charges. She said seizure is a last resort but that veterinarians sometimes find animals in imminent danger despite earlier outreach and that requiring charges before seizure would prevent veterinarians and officers from protecting animals in need.

Testimony supporting the bill emphasized reconciling owner rights and animal welfare, preventing conflicts of interest when organizations both seize and later care for animals, and ensuring owners fully understand any documents they sign when asked to surrender custody.

Clarifying details included examples from the Lee case — testimony referenced 45 animals seized with 22 euthanized in that incident — and repeated committee testimony that many cruelty investigations are time- and resource-intensive, and that the state cost-of-care fund provides partial, retrospective reimbursement rather than full upfront coverage.

What the committee heard: the transcript shows strongly divergent views between humane-society and veterinary witnesses and law-enforcement leaders. Supporters called for statutory clarity and stronger due-process protections; opponents warned the changes would impede timely seizures and care. The committee did not record a committee-level vote on HB 616 in the transcript segment provided.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Judiciary (04/22/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Judy Aaron told the Senate Judiciary Committee HB 616 was drafted after a high-profile seizure in Lee and would clarify when animals may be taken into protective custody, strengthen owner notification and vet consultation requirements, and create a legislative study of animal-cruelty statutes.","taxTitle","Judiciary, Senate , Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",29511,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6571903,"Bill to increase fines for dog nuisance, require owners to pay victims’ medical costs draws victims’ testimony",189,1130000,1319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086710-605f9da52d26d1a7e2b34eb10b9a7c92&start=1130&end=1319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086710-605f9da52d26d1a7e2b34eb10b9a7c92/thumbnail_1130000.jpg","/articles/6571903/New-Hampshire/Bill-to-increase-fines-for-dog-nuisance-require-owners-to-pay-victims-medical-costs-draws-victims-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571903-8d30eda1b3e8d34b3cdd932faf44fe63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093023&Signature=LR-OGhrVzRY~aMy2OdcHEFp0D26O38lYHVPlX~k2aUahppzVWA6vXOzGXNidhiJGsEOBIWhdDvegMvQ3YPXSUUy5GPgrC9iatz-NhqQV27ijUczZTQpVGbbgpMglMj~PQJbj0~iWJMWTmMya-AW2fc8RPBiAkKFY3LAVB1Otas9Y25YJLVABAE2AWwMqzJScus6u~2Q-vLvwPU9EwwcBBCfq5x2DQ8HQFVQY6FSZAJiAelmtdCvYvnJvVKeEz7mWX-CYy3X1ZUGJ1p0wzqZbcCajt2yDCWfiK2af2EFgmcCFAvCW-LQzhtR~1eDw3~bByKqjymbsitCcjI3ASMe4jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Len Turcotte introduced HB 670 to the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying sponsors sought to update long-outdated fines for dog-related tax and nuisance violations and to make owners automatically liable for medical costs resulting from an attack. “The goal was to do 2 things. 1 was to up those fines to act as a deterrent and, also, update them,” Turcotte said, adding that OLS advised limits so that the revised fines remained misdemeanors rather than elevating some violations to felonies.

Anne Berry of Rochester testified in support, describing a December 2023 Christmas-day attack on her adult daughter and the family dog. Berry said her daughter required months of rehabilitation and that combined costs for the daughter and the dog were about $30,000; civil proceedings produced a $10,000 judgment in favor of her daughter, which Berry said the owner was not paying. “People need to be responsible, and face financial impact, at the very least,” Berry said.

Marissa Chase, representing the New Hampshire Association for Justice (civil plaintiff lawyers), asked the committee to add a clarifying subsection to ensure the new language does not unintentionally limit civil claims under existing RSA sections typically cited in dog-bite civil suits; she offered to submit drafting language to the committee.

Representative Turcotte said the house amended the bill to change the first-offense penalty from a $25 fine to a warning, and otherwise left the proposed increases intact. Committee members asked few substantive questions at the hearing; there is no committee vote recorded in the provided transcript.

","Representative Len Turcotte told the Senate Judiciary Committee HB 670 would increase fines for certain dog-related tax and nuisance violations and make owners automatically responsible for victims' medical bills arising from an attack.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6571913,"Rep. Tom Manning backs ban on using law enforcement to seize dogs over unpaid $20 license fee",1235,398000,1633000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086710-605f9da52d26d1a7e2b34eb10b9a7c92&start=398&end=1633","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086710-605f9da52d26d1a7e2b34eb10b9a7c92/thumbnail_398000.jpg","/articles/6571913/New-Hampshire/Rep-Tom-Manning-backs-ban-on-using-law-enforcement-to-seize-dogs-over-unpaid-20-license-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571913-fbea85a1755b5a1da9653e6d012e3f63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093023&Signature=cl3Z-~F0hEIwv8tqoy4A3y2UV-z9zMg6zuGNcKhfGy9RWIFCJn2xPT6judU7oZKZMwyOQH1W50pmmm5F8YJaP3c6Sf5OXvGcnCXja81SpjsprmBJr2wx2JG1VGYDCiaVedNh~VKL1pa69bYr5iQUEybcAqITnFEa3a0s31aKGVPFFYgLwuRW5SiEy9U6a1~2-ytaP~xb4fsKYEo7BK2Jq0yWRUO3-ZFiWXv0z65PsOSgf6p74NyqIclSPO-gf56VKBckNGlNbU508MXKSYgUqE0UcdJQEKc52v~et-r8b1TLeck7y0zOKmDpY4tezLtk~RHFFtLWsn28BSrblYxVog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Tom Manning, sponsor of HB 240-FN, told the Senate Judiciary Committee he wrote the bill after a Pelham constituent received a town letter threatening law-enforcement seizure of her elderly dog over a $20 unpaid license fee. “I thought was egregious is that we're gonna send law enforcement to somebody's house, potentially kick down the door, I don't know, to seize someone's family member over failure to pay $20,” Manning said.

Manning said his original draft sought only to remove the authority to seize an animal for nonpayment; the Office of Legislative Services and an Environment and Agriculture committee amendment changed language in ways he did not expect, including replacing a mandatory “shall” with a discretionary “may.” Manning said he did not intend to remove civil fines or other enforcement tools but wanted to stop seizure as a remedy for a small license debt.

An animal-control officer who testified in opposition told the committee licensing is an essential public-safety tool that confirms rabies vaccination status and helps locate owners after bites. The officer said they had “yet to meet a single ACO who has knocked down anyone's door in regard to seizing an animal because the dog wasn't licensed,” and described standard licensing outreach in that municipality — mailers, phone calls and multiple reminders before fines are imposed.

Dan Healy, Nashua city clerk, opposed changing the statute from a mandatory warrant requirement to a discretionary one. He described a multi-step licensing calendar in Nashua with a January start, a long grace period through April 30, and fines beginning June 1; warrant actions typically come after June 20. “I think it should remain a shall,” Healy said, arguing that local consistency helps enforcement and vaccination tracking.

Committee action: After the public testimony and brief discussion in executive session, a committee member moved to place HB 240-FN on the consent calendar. The motion carried; the committee recorded the item as moved to consent.

Why it matters: Municipal clerks and animal-control officers said licensing supports rabies control and bite response; the sponsor and some public commenters said seizure for a small unpaid fee is an outsized remedy that can traumatize owners. The bill seeks to narrow the circumstances under which an animal may be forcibly removed for licensing violations while leaving other enforcement paths available, according to the sponsor.

What’s next: HB 240-FN was moved by the committee to the consent calendar for further floor consideration. No floor action or final law change is recorded in the committee transcript.

","A House bill author seeks to bar officers from seizing pets for unpaid dog-licensing fees; municipal clerks and animal-control officials testified that seizure is rare but licensing is important for public health and animal tracking. The Senate Judiciary Committee moved HB 240-FN to consent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House-passed bill would tighten procedures for animal seizures and add study of cruelty statutes after Lee goat seizure

Bill to increase fines for dog nuisance, require owners to pay victims’ medical costs draws victims’ testimony

Rep. Tom Manning backs ban on using law enforcement to seize dogs over unpaid $20 license fee