N.H. Animal Cruelty Law, Welfare and Righs

New Hampshire Animal Law

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Animal Cruelty Laws and NH State Laws:

General Animal Laws: ENACTED

N.H. RSA 284:38         Malicious Interference wtih Horses or Dogs
N.H. RSA 427:33-37    Humane Slaughter Law
N.H. RSA 435:1-5        Breeding Horses
N.H. RSA 435:12         Proper Care of Horses
N.H. RSA 435-14         Treatment of Horses
N.H. RSA 436:24-30    Importation of Other Domestic Animals
N.H. RSA 436:31-33    Investigations and Reports
N.H. RSA 436:93-98    Equine Infectious Anemia
N.H. RSA 436:99-104  Rabies Control Act
N.H. RSA 448:2            Agister's Lien Statute (Boarding Horses)
N.H. RSA 508:19          N.H. Equine Activity Liability Statute
N.H. RSA 564-B:4-408  Animal Trust

Sale of Pets, Pet Stores, Unclaimed Animals
Dogs and Cats

N.H. Criminal Code and N.H. Animal Cruelty Laws.

How do I report Animal Cruelty in New Hampshire?

Contact your local police department. For more information and animal cruelty FAQ in NH, click here.
For information in other states and information on their cruelty laws, click here for the ASPCA Cruelty page.

    Cruelty to Animals
    Destruction of Property
    Unauthorized Entry/Trespass
    Theft
    Fraud
    Exhibition of Fighting Animals
    Animals in Motor Vehicles
    Docking Horse Tails
    Animal Use in Science Classes
    Interference with Organizations or Projects Involving Animals
    Dogs in Pickup Trucks
    Exposing Poisons

N.H. Administrative Rules

Treatment of Horses
Sale of Animals and Birds
Importation of Domestic Animals into NH
Lisensing of Cats
Breeders Health Certificate for Cats and Dogs

Current bills in the 2009 N.H. Legislature: for schedules of the related hearings and to check bill status, click here or go to Calendar of Events page.

Relative to Equines. HB 0427. Executive Session scheduled for Feb. 4, 2009.
Allowing Physical Therapists to work on animals. HB 0345.
Relative to the sale and vaccination of animals. HB 0148.
Relative to civil proceedings for forfeiture of animals. HB 0220
Relative to mistreating service animals. HB 0278.
Relative to live greyhound racing in N.H. HB 0630.
Permitting temporary licenses for certain sellers of animals. HB 0337.
Relative to the assistance of the state veterinarian with investigation/enforcement of animal
   cruelty laws. HB 0247.
Requiring employers of employees with service dogs to place signs prohibiting animals
    other than service dogs. HB 0059.
Relative to governmental immunity from liability for municipal dog parks. SB 0019.
Relative to declaring the Chinook the State Dog. SB 0013.
Relative to Service Animals. HB 0653.
Relative to beaver dams. SB 0124.
Relative to establishing a special motor vehicle license plate and assocaited fees go to support the NH companion animal neutering fund. SB 0137.

LOCAL NH ANIMAL NEWS:

JANUARY 22, 2009: PET FOOD/TREATS RECALL DUE TO SAMONELLA OUTBREAK: For more information, click here.

State Rep Holds her Horse Bill, Concord Monitor, January 28, 2009.

The Horse Tax: A Lesson in Buffonery. Union Leader, January 28, 2009. Editorial.

Horse Registration Stumbles before First Hurdle. Union Leader. January 27, 2009.

Bucking the Proposed "Horse Tax". Concord Monitor. January 27, 2009.

View WMUR's coverage of the bill, click here.

Farmington Club Educates Public about Wolves and Wolf Dogs living in NH refuge. Foster's Daily Democrat, Jan. 22, 2009.

Sanborton Students Service Project Helps Animal Shelter. Laconia Citizen, January 22,2009.

Wolf-dog caught, shipped to NH. Telegram & Gazette, Jan. 16, 2009.

NH Shelter Weighs in on First Dog. Union Leader, Jan. 16, 2009

Skijoring: Dogs pulling Skiers along Winter Trails. Union Leader, Jan. 12, 2009

Drive is on to adopt Chinook as N.H. State dog. Union Leader, Jan. 2, 2009

Pets Feel the Pain. Concord Monitor, January 5, 2009.

Beaver Dams Bill Going to Lawmakers. Union Leader, Jan. 2, 2009.