1 Cruelty to Animals; Court Hearing Upon Confiscation of Animals. Amend RSA 644:8, IV(a)(3) to read as follows:

(3) Courts shall give cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer priority on the court calendar. In cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer or his or her agency, a status hearing shall be held by the court within 14 days of the confiscation of the animals.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.

1 Cruelty to Animals; Court Hearing Upon Confiscation of Animals. Amend RSA 644:8, IV(a)(3) to read as follows:

(3) Courts shall give cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer priority on the court calendar. In cases in which animals have been confiscated by an arresting officer or his or her agency, a status hearing shall be held by the court within 14 days of the confiscation of the animals.

(A) The scope of the hearing shall be limited to whether the impounding of the animal or animals was authorized. Upon such a showing, the court may require the defendant or appellant to post a bond or other security in an amount not exceeding $1,000 for each animal in custody or make a determination of disposition that is in the best interest of the animal's health, safety, and wellbeing. If the confiscated animal is co-owned by the defendant, the court may transfer the defendant's interest in the property to the remaining owner or co-owners equitably if the court determines that such is in the best interest of the animal's health, safety, and wellbeing.

(B) Such bond or security shall be posted to the court within 30 days. If such bond or security is not paid within 30 days after the court orders the bond or security to be posted, the animals shall be forfeited to the arresting officer, the arresting officer's agency, or the arresting officer's agency's designee. The court may, for good cause, extend the deadline by no more than 15 days. A court shall order the return of any bond or security upon a court approved agreement of the parties or a finding of not guilty.

(C) Neither the result of a hearing provided for under this paragraph nor a statement of an owner made at any such hearing shall be admissible in any criminal prosecution related to the impoundment of the animal or animals.

(D) Failure of the owner to appear in court without prior notice, or without proof of emergent circumstances within 3 days shall not prevent the court from conducting the hearing or making a determination.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.