This bill amends existing animal cruelty laws to establish specific procedures for the confiscation of livestock. It modifies RSA 644:8, IV(a)(1) by excluding livestock from the general provisions for confiscation of animals and introduces a new paragraph IV-b that governs the confiscation of livestock. Additionally, it amends RSA 644:8, IV-a(a) to exclude livestock from the temporary protective custody provisions, indicating that these will also be addressed in the new paragraph IV-b. The new provisions require that a person must be charged with cruelty for confiscation to occur, except in cases of imminent danger to the livestock's life, and mandates that a qualified veterinarian assess the situation alongside the investigating officer. The bill enhances the legal framework for protecting livestock from abuse and neglect by allowing law enforcement and municipal animal control officers to take livestock into temporary protective custody under certain conditions. It includes provisions that protect veterinarians from civil or criminal liability during investigations, clarifies that only designated officials may participate in these investigations, and requires nondisclosure agreements to maintain the integrity of the process. The bill also repeals a previous provision related to livestock confiscation, streamlining the legal process. It is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, with no fiscal impact on state, county, or local expenditures or revenue.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 644:8, 436:8
As Amended by the House: 644:8, 436:8
As Amended by the Senate: 644:8, 436:8
Version adopted by both bodies: 644:8, 436:8
HB1766 text: 644:8, 436:8