CHAPTER 123
HB 247 – FINAL VERSION
24Mar2009… 0258h
2009 SESSION
08/01
HOUSE BILL 247
AN ACT relative to the assistance of the state veterinarian with the investigation and enforcement of animal abuse laws.
SPONSORS: Rep. Sad, Ches 2; Rep. Haefner, Hills 27; Sen. Odell, Dist 8
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
This bill allows the state veterinarian to assist law enforcement personnel with the investigation and enforcement of animal abuse laws.
This bill is a request of the state veterinarian.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24Mar2009… 0258h
09-0315
08/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine
AN ACT relative to the assistance of the state veterinarian with the investigation and enforcement of animal abuse laws.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
123:1 State Veterinarian; Powers. Amend RSA 436:8 to read as follows:
436:8 Powers. The state veterinarian, under the direction of the commissioner, shall have all of the powers of the commissioner and shall have general charge of the enforcement of this chapter, and shall devote his or her entire time and attention to the duties of his or her office. [The state veterinarian shall have the power to enforce the provisions of and investigate] Complaints under RSA 644:8, 644:8-a, 644:8-aa and any other law pertaining to the abuse of domestic animals, as defined under RSA 436:1, shall initially be filed with the local law enforcement agency, animal control officer, state police, or sheriff which has jurisdiction over where the animal is located or kept. At the request of the local law enforcement agency, animal control officer, state police, or sheriff, the state veterinarian shall assist in a secondary capacity in enforcing the provisions of and investigating said complaints. In the event the commissioner becomes incapacitated or a vacancy occurs in the office, the state veterinarian shall perform all the duties of that office during any such incapacity or until any such vacancy is filled. The commissioner may direct the state veterinarian to act for him or her in an official capacity whenever he or she may be absent from his or her duties.
123:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: June 22, 2009
Effective Date: August 21, 2009