Stanley Carte

My name is Stanley Carte, and I am the owner of Just A Wee Farm in Danbury, New Hampshire. I am writing in strong opposition to the proposed bill that would restrict the use of Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) in our state. As a Right-to-Farm state, New Hampshire has long recognized the importance of protecting agricultural practices that are essential to farm viability. Livestock Guardian Dogs are not pets in the traditional sense — they are working animals, bred and trained specifically to protect livestock from predators. On our farm, our Great Pyrenees are a critical part of our operation. Without them, we would face significant and ongoing losses from coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and other predators common in our region. Guarding livestock is their job. Barking is one of the primary tools they use to do that job. It is a preventive measure — a warning that keeps predators away before livestock are harmed. Requiring farmers to justify or “prove” each instance of barking fails to recognize the fundamental nature of how these dogs work. If they are prevented from doing their job effectively, farms like ours will suffer devastating losses. Without proper protection, we won’t have livestock — we will have deadstock. This bill would not only harm Just A Wee Farm but would also put many small and family farms across New Hampshire at risk. Livestock Guardian Dogs are a humane, non-lethal, and widely accepted method of predator control. Restricting their use undermines both animal welfare and the sustainability of local agriculture. I respectfully urge you to oppose this bill and to stand with New Hampshire’s farming community. Protecting our ability to use Livestock Guardian Dogs is essential to preserving the future of agriculture in our state. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Stanley Carte Just A Wee Farm Danbury, NH