A bill has been introduced in the New Hampshire
A bill has been introduced in the New Hampshire House of
Representatives that would ban the sale of dogs or cats except by
state licensed breeders. It would also ban the importation of any dog
or cat for resale.
HB 438 was introduced by Rep. Corey Corbin and Rep. Kimberley Dionne
Hearings have not been scheduled yet, but it will be heard by House
Executive Departments and Administration Committee.
In order to be licensed by the state, the bill will require a breeder
to take and pass am exam, administered by a licensed veterinarian.
This exam will be specific to the breed of dog or cat which the
breeder intends to offer for sale. According to the bill, the exams
will be prepared by the AKC or licensed veterinarians.
If passed, this bill will make all licensed breeders subject to an
inspection by the State Vet or his designee, which could be a local
humane society agent at least every six months.
Here's a list some (but, by no means all) of the problems with HB 438:
* Once again, it will be the responsible breeders who will be
effected.
* Being licensed, as proscribed by this legislation, could
put breeders in jeopardy with town zoning ordinances, regardless of
the number of litters bred. This definition of breeder, which does
not discriminate between commercial and hobby breeding, would replace
or supercede the current law that characterizes a commercial
breeder.There have already been problems with town selectmen and
Zoning Boards which have attempted to ban raising dogs and cats in
towns with rural and residential zones citing breeding as a
commercial enterprise. It would make it very difficult to raise dogs
and cats or sell property for this purpose in the future. It could
cause some dog and cat owners to cease and desist or be forced to
move.
* NH already requires a health certificate to accompany
every dog or cat sold. This certificate requires that the animal be
healthy and free of standard infestations, which this legislation
ignores.
* The irresponsible owners who have accidental breedings or
people who merely raise a litter on a one time basis will not bother
to get a license. The State Vet does not have the resources to
enforce this provision of bill let alone police properly established
pet shops or commercial establishments, which is already required by
law.
Some helpful links.
For a copy of HB 438:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2001/HB0438.html
The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee members,
addresses, and email:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ns/billstatus/commdetails.asp?txtcommcode=H07
To find the name of your NH State Representative
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ns/whosmyleg/
Dog Owners of the Granite State is fighting this bill, but can use
help. For more information, please contact one of the following:
Joan Eversole, President, <sidecarpup@netscape.net>;Cheryl
Snedaker-Sims, Secretary, <dachshir@ncia.net>
Elin Phinizy
Elin Phinizy
Dog Owners of the Granite State - Protecting the rights of pet owners
throughout New Hampshire.
To visit the nhdogs discussion list home page -
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nhdogs