Bill Text - HB1683 (2020)

Prohibiting the docking of dog tails and the cropping of dog ears.


Revision: Dec. 30, 2019, 8:30 a.m.

HB 1683-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2020 SESSION

20-2314

08/01

 

HOUSE BILL 1683-FN

 

AN ACT prohibiting the docking of dog tails and the cropping of dog ears.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Rogers, Merr. 28; Rep. Schuett, Merr. 20; Rep. K. Murray, Rock. 24; Rep. Schultz, Merr. 18; Rep. Schamberg, Merr. 4; Rep. Horrigan, Straf. 6

 

COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill prohibits the docking of dog tails and cropping of dog ears.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

20-2314

08/01

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty

 

AN ACT prohibiting the docking of dog tails and the cropping of dog ears.

 

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

 

1  New Section; Docking of Dog Tails; Cropping of Dog Ears.  Amend RSA 332-B by inserting after section 20 the following new section:

332-B:21  Cosmetic and Convenience Surgery on Dogs Prohibited

I.  No person shall perform or permit to be performed cosmetic and convenience surgery on a dog except as necessary in order to address the physical medical condition of the dog, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition that compromises the dog's health.  

II.  Cosmetic and convenience surgery on dogs includes but is not limited to:

(a)  Tail docking.

(b)  Tail nicking, setting, or blocking.

(c)  Ear cropping.

(d)  Devocalization or debarking.

(e)  Onychectomy.

(f)  Dewclaw removal.

2  New Subparagraph; Docking of Dog Tails; Cropping of Dog Ears.  Amend RSA 332-B:14, II by inserting after subparagraph (p) the following new subparagraph:

(q)  Violation of RSA 332-B:21 relative to the cosmetic and convenience surgery on dogs.

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

 

LBAO

20-2314

12/20/19

 

HB 1683-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT prohibiting the docking of dog tails and the cropping of dog ears.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to complete a fiscal note for this bill, as introduced, as it is awaiting information from the Department of Agriculture, and Board of Veterinary Medicine, who were originally contacted on October 23, 2019, with follow up on December 12, 2019 for a fiscal note worksheet, which they have not provided as of December 20, 2019.  When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Agriculture and Board of Veterinary Medicine