Bill Text - HB1448 (2020)

(New Title) relative to animal health certificates and quarantine requirements for animals imported into the state.


Revision: Dec. 3, 2019, 9:29 a.m.

HB 1448 - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2020 SESSION

20-2375

08/06

 

HOUSE BILL 1448

 

AN ACT relative to animal health certificates and requiring dogs imported into the state for transfer to be tested for Brucella canis.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Pearl, Merr. 26; Rep. Aron, Sull. 7

 

COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill makes certain requirements for a dog, cat, or ferret to receive a health certificate, including testing for Brucella canis.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

20-2375

08/06

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty

 

AN ACT relative to animal health certificates and requiring dogs imported into the state for transfer to be tested for Brucella canis.

 

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

 

1  Health Certificates.  Amend RSA 437:8, I to read as follows:

I.  For purposes of this chapter, an official health certificate means a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian, containing the name and address of the entity transferring ownership of the dog, cat, or ferret, the name and address of the issuing veterinarian, the age, gender, breed, microchip number, tattoo number, ear tag number, or physical description of the dog, cat, or ferret, and the certification of the veterinarian that the dog, cat, or ferret is free from evidence of communicable diseases or internal or external parasites.  A list of all vaccines and medication administered to the dog, cat, or ferret shall be included on or attached to the certificate.

2  Health Certificates.  Amend RSA 437:8, IV to read as follows:

IV.  Once a dog, cat, or ferret intended for transfer has entered the state, it shall be held at least [48 hours] 14 days at a facility licensed under RSA 437 or at a facility operated by a licensed veterinarian separated from contact with other animals on the premises and shall receive a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian before being offered for transfer.

3  Health Certificates; Animal Shelters.  Amend RSA 437:8, V to read as follows:

V.  [Animal shelter facilities, as defined in RSA 437:1, I, are exempt from the requirements of this section relative to transferring dogs, cats, and ferrets except that:]

(a)  All animal shelter facilities shall have on premises a microchip scanner and shall maintain a file of recognized pet retrieval agencies, including but not limited to national tattoo or microchip registries.

(b)  Where an owner is not known, all animal shelter facilities shall inspect for tattoos, ear tags, or other permanent forms of positive identification and shall scan for a microchip upon admission of an unclaimed or abandoned animal as defined in RSA 437:18, IV and prior to transferring ownership of an unclaimed or abandoned animal.

4  New Paragraphs; Health Certificates for Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets; Brucellosis Testing; Rabies Vaccinations.  Amend RSA 437:8 by inserting after paragraph VI the following new paragraphs:

VII.  No dog or cat shall be imported into New Hampshire with intent to transfer without first receiving a negative test for brucellosis (Brucella canis), intestinal parasites, heartworm, and proof of deworming issued by a licensed veterinarian within 14 days previous to the transfer.  The commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to what tests are sufficient for such diseases.

VIII.  A dog, cat, or ferret 3 months old or older shall be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before entering New Hampshire in order to receive a health certificate under this section.  Puppies and kittens shall not be vaccinated against rabies before 3 months of age.  For puppies and kittens under 16 weeks old, proof that the dam's rabies vaccination is current shall be required in order to receive a health certificate.  

5  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect January 1, 2021.