HB220 (2009) Detail

Relative to civil proceedings for forfeiture of animals.


HB 220 – AS INTRODUCED

2009 SESSION

09-0780

08/04

HOUSE BILL 220

AN ACT relative to civil proceedings for forfeiture of animals.

SPONSORS: Rep. Skinder, Sull 1; Rep. Spaulding, Hills 18; Rep. Parkhurst, Ches 4

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

ANALYSIS

This bill requires that animals be taken into custody when a person is charged with cruelty to animals.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

09-0780

08/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine

AN ACT relative to civil proceedings for forfeiture of animals.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Cruelty To Animals; Civil Forfeiture. Amend RSA 644:8, IV(a) to read as follows:

IV.(a) In addition to being guilty of crimes as provided in paragraphs III and III-a, any person charged with cruelty to animals may have his or her animal confiscated by the arresting officer at the time of arrest and, upon said person's conviction of cruelty to animals, the court may dispose of said animal in any manner it decides. Courts shall give cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer priority on the court calendar. The costs, if any, incurred in boarding and treating the animal, pending disposition of the case, and in disposing of the animal, upon a conviction of said person for cruelty to animals, shall be borne by the person so convicted. In addition, the court may prohibit any person convicted of animal cruelty from having future ownership or custody of other animals for any period of time the court deems reasonable or impose any other reasonable restrictions on the person's future ownership or custody of animals as necessary for the protection of the animals.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2010.