This bill amends the animal cruelty statute by introducing a new definition of "torture" in RSA 644:8. The new legal language specifies that "torture" encompasses any negligent or purposeful act or omission that results in intensive or prolonged pain or suffering, serious physical injury, or death of an animal. This definition is inserted as a new paragraph (II-b) following the existing paragraph II-a, thereby clarifying the legal understanding of torture in the context of animal abuse cases.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is expected to have indeterminable fiscal impacts on state and local governments, particularly concerning the judicial and correctional systems. While there are no anticipated changes in revenue, the costs associated with prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole may be affected due to the modification of criminal penalties related to animal cruelty. The bill has been reviewed by various agencies, including the Judicial Branch and the Department of Justice, to assess its implications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 644:8