March 2024

Kelly Crouch, CFA Legislative Information Liaison

Cat and dog fanciers presented a well-planned opposition to the New Hampshire Environment and Agriculture Committee during a public hearing held on March 5th on House Bill 1102-FN. It is a bill of first impression in the country that would amend the state’s animal cruelty statute to include:

“(h) Sells an animal that has a birth deformity that causes suffering, such as brachycephaly, or the intentional breeding with the intent to sell, 2 individual animals with the same birth deformity that causes suffering, such as brachycephaly”.

Since January, the CFA Legislative Group collaborated with TICA, AKC, and local fanciers and submitted CFA’s opposition letter. The fanciers had a significant impact based on the comments from the work session the following day. Several members echoed Committee Chair Judy Aron’s sentiment that New Hampshire breeders do a great job of breeding ethically. Representative Barbara Comtois, who owned three breeds of brachycephalic dogs and is a former dog breeder, commented that New Hampshire already has excellent laws, so they don’t hear about these issues much. Representative Catherine Kenny has worked with several breeders over her career in the veterinary field and found them to be devoted to their animals and conscientious about their health. She also said breeders and veterinarians could address this issue better than legislation. Others commented that proving intent would be an issue, and more than one commented that they learned a lot, especially that brachycephaly alone was not a deformity.

Kudos to the local cat and dog fanciers for their efforts! Fanciers can watch the public hearing and the work session beginning at the time 1:51:15. The bill is due out of committee by March 21st but could be voted on in the executive session on March 13th, 2024.

UPDATE

On March 13, 2024, the House Environment and Agriculture Committee voted 14:6 to report HB 1102-FN as inexpedient to legislate. Many thanks to all who fought this bill! If the House votes to adopt the committee report, the bill will be officially killed, although the Sponsor may attempt to offer an amendment before this process is complete.