HB 616 would cripple animal cruelty investigations in New Hampshire.
Animals in NH need you to take action today to prevent dangerous legislation from moving forward. Your State Senators need to hear from you before a hearing by the Judiciary Committee scheduled for Tuesday, April 22nd. Please contact your state senator AND members of the Judiciary Committee TODAY and urge them to vote NO on HB 616, please include your town and the name of the bill in your email subject line (“Name, Town, VOTE NO on HB 616 An Act relative to the confiscation of animals from persons suspected of or charged with abuse of animals…”
HB 616 has already passed out of the House and will be heard by the Judiciary Committee THIS COMING TUESDAY, April 22nd. This Bill, if passed, would be devasting to animals in our state. HB616 is a dangerous and unworkable bill that would cripple animal cruelty investigations and put thousands of animals in jeopardy, with no one to help them.
This bill seeks to tie the hands of animal welfare organizations and police departments from investigating suspected cases of animal abuse or neglect. It includes the removal of humane agents, putting responsibility of animal investigations on the State Veterinarian’s office or police departments, both with limited resources and would be unable to take on the volume of work needed to protect animals in distress.
In addition, it would force law enforcement to charge owners with animal cruelty without consideration of circumstances such as mental illness, physical health of the owner, etc. If the police do not charge, under this bill, the animal welfare organization would be charged with theft by unauthorized taking, and the animals would be forced to be returned to the neglect or abuse they had already been suffering.
Over the past 10 years the NHSPCA alone has conducted 5,644 cases involving nearly 14,000 animals. During those same 10 years, only 2% of the animals were seized and 9% were surrendered. The rest of these animals were protected by educating owners and requiring them to improve conditions for the animals in their care. The work of humane agents is critical in NH and this misguided legislation would effectively end that work.
There are many aspects of this bill that would be devastating to animals in NH. You can find more details at the links below:
Click Here for information on HB 616
Click Here for the Proposed Legislation
Click Here to find your Legislator
Click Here for Judiciary Committee Members
Your voice and your passion is needed TODAY to help stop this bill from advancing further. It must be stopped or there will be devastating outcomes for animals in need. Again, please take action today. The fate of animals is in your hands. Call or email your state senator and each member of the Judiciary Committee.
You can say: “As a voting constituent, I am asking you to actively oppose HB 616. This is a dangerous, unworkable bill that would cripple animal cruelty investigations in New Hampshire. It blocks enforcement, defunds care, and puts animals and communities at risk.”
Thank you for taking the time from your busy life to help protect animals in NH. Your efforts will make a difference and we are grateful.
Bill: HB 616 – Title: Relative to the confiscation of animals from persons suspected of or charged with abuse of animals and establishing a committee to study the animal cruelty statutes.
Hearing: 04/22/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 19
