RE: HB 605: CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION, TRANSFER, OR MANUFACTURE OF ANIMAL FIGHTING PARAPHERNALIA ANIMAL CRUELTY ADMENDMENTS (OPPOSE)
The American Dog Breeders Association Inc. is an all breed registry established in 1909 to promote the study, breeding, exhibiting, and advancement of purebred dogs. The ADBA does not defend cruelty in any shape or form; however we strongly oppose any legislation that creates a whole new class of “criminals,” of which most are no such thing.
1 Exhibitions of Fighting Animals; Sale or Transfer Prohibited. Amend RSA 644:8-a, I to read as follows:
- No person shall offer for sale, sell, loan, export, keep, breed, or train any bird, dog, or other animal, with the intent that it or its offspring shall be engaged or used in an exhibition of fighting, or shall establish or promote an exhibition of the fighting thereof. Whoever violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a class B felony.
2 Exhibitions of Fighting Animals; Paraphernalia and Assistance Prohibited. Amend RSA 644:8-a, III-V to read as follows:
III.(a) Any person who possesses, owns, buys, sells, transfers, or manufactures animal fighting paraphernalia with the intent to engage in or otherwise promote or facilitate such fighting shall be guilty of a class B felony.
(b) For purposes of this section, “animal fighting paraphernalia” means equipment, products, implements, and materials of any kind that are used, intended for use, or designed for use in the training, preparation, conditioning, or furtherance of animal fighting, and includes, but is not limited to, the following: breaking sticks, cat mills, fighting pits, springpoles, unprescribed veterinary medicine, treatment supplies, gaffs or slashers or heels, or any other sharp implement designed to be attached in place of the natural spur of a cock or game fowl.
(c) In determining whether an object is animal fighting paraphernalia, the court shall consider any prior convictions under federal or state law relating to animal fighting, the proximity of the object in time and space to the direct violation of this section, direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of the accused to deliver the object to persons whom he or she knows or should reasonably know intends to use the object to facilitate a violation of this section, oral or written instructions provided with or in the vicinity of the object concerning its use, descriptive materials accompanying the object which explain or depict its use, and all other logically relevant factors.
https://legiscan.com/NH/text/HB605/2019
Why oppose HB 605? Here are some FACTS.
This is an animal rights agenda driven bill. Animal Cruelty is already a felony in NH.
Many of the items described as “animal fighting paraphernalia” are used by dog owners for conditioning of dogs for legitimate lawful canine athletic sports.
The ADBA’s and UKC’s sanctioned event of weight pulling demands that the dog be conditioned to prevent injury to the dogs.
https://adbadog.com/calendar/weight-pull-events/
https://www.ukcdogs.com/weight-pull
This same equipment would be used for training and conditioning for the ADBA’s sanctioned TOP DOG event. The event uses a treadmill race, lure course and wall climb as a combination event for points towards an ADBA TOP DOG title. These events are open for all breeds. https://adbadog.com/calendar/top-dog-events/
People who have animals and are trying to do their best to care for them are already frightened that if they ask for help with an animal that had an accident and they can’t afford a veterinarian, and they use un-prescribed veterinary medicine and/or treatment supplies, they will be accused of a crime! If their dog is attacked by loose dogs, they are afraid to seek veterinary treatment, as they are afraid they will be accused of dog fighting. Heaven help them if they have a parting stick or treadmill at the house. There is ALREADY an atmosphere of FEAR among animal owners….not one of confidence that help is near for their animals. This legislation applies to ALL owners of “pit bull” looking dogs.
For these reasons and others, please recognize the inequities and inherent problems of such law and oppose HB 605. Passing bad bills does not make good law.
Sincerely,
Hank Greenwood
President /CEO/ Chairman of the Board
American Dog Breeders Association
Salt Lake City, Utah
801-936-7513
adba@adba.cc email
www.adba.cc website
