Naomi Erlandson

HB1766 will make it harder to protect the welfare of equines and other livestock.. HB 1766 would require that all people who have animals seized, regardless of unintentional neglect or specific cruelty, be charged with animal cruelty. This means that even those with dementia, in financial distress or other compromised situations would be required to be charged or we would not be able to help their animals. HB 1766 switches the responsibility for establishing probable cause to confiscate equines and other livestock from a licensed veterinarian to our State Veterinarian (or their designee). This is already a process that is under the constant pressure of time, during which suffering continues, and life or death may hang in the balance. This adds another layer of management which further complicates and prolongs the process. HB 1766 would eliminate any duly licensed humane society from having any role in the confiscation of livestock in cruelty cases. The current law allows this, with exception to livestock without a licensed vet. This bill removes humane organizations like the NHSPCA as an able party and further states that because they are not an employee of the government we would no longer be allowed to contribute our assistance in the process of determining temporary protective custody, discussions about seizure and would be forbidden from taking part in or be present during any investigation in a complaint. Only a law enforcement officer, our State Veterinarian (or their designee), and an Animal Control Officer can have any involvement. Prohibiting duly licensed humane societies in this way will eliminate a vital resource in the investigation of animal cruelty. HB 1766 seeks to reduce the role of duly licensed humane societies to little more than organizations that have facilities to house confiscated animals. Further they will be required to sign binding nondisclosure agreements relative to their knowledge of cruelty cases and are prohibited from soliciting donations based on any specifics or likeness of cruelty cases eliminating the ability to soliciting donations for their cost of care. HB 1766 eliminates the list of penalties offered to the court which could be imposed upon convicted offenders including: restrictions from possessing animals, engaging in employment in the care of animals and other prohibitions necessary to protect animals from these same people in the future. Having this language removed dilutes the power of the court thereby enabling future abuses to potentially continue.