Legislation introduced in New Hampshire by State Representative Charlie St. Clair establishes a statewide animal abuse registry that would apply to anyone convicted of even minor offenses involving dogs. The abuse registry would be publicized online and include an offenders name, photo, address and the offense they committed. House Bill 1602 has been referred to the House Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety where it has an executive work session scheduled today, Feb. 5, at 1 p.m. in the Legislative Office Building Room 204.
* * * *
Take Action Today! New Hampshire sportsmen should call their state representatives and ask them to OPPOSE House Bill 1602. New Hampshire members can contact their representatives by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Directory.
* * * *
Sportsmen are fully supportive of taking steps to protect animals from cruelty and neglect, and believe that people who neglect animals should be held to the letter of the law. Unfortunately, the language in HB 1602 and the definition of animal cruelty in New Hampshire is so broadly worded that it includes minor offenses that don’t justify exposing people to public scorn or, even worse, to danger posed by animal extremists.
“Animal-rights extremists have a history of violent protests against individuals and organizations that they feel mistreat animals,” said Jacob Hupp associate director of state services at the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Exposing this type of danger to a person who is ticketed for an empty water dish or for other relatively minor offense is excessive and unnecessary. Animal-abuse registries should apply to truly serious offenses.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
