New Hampshire Sen. Jeb Bradley’s (R-Wolfeboro) Senate Bill 161 eliminates the definition of a commercial kennel and reclassifies nearly all dog breeders as “pet vendors.” If passed, this would classify small kennels that don’t sell a single dog as the same as large-scale, commercial breeders. SB 161 currently awaits a vote on the Senate floor.
Take Action Today! New Hampshire sportsmen and women should contact their state senator and ask them to vote NO on SB 161. New Hampshire members can contact their senator by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center.
Current New Hampshire law defines a commercial kennel as any person, business or corporation that transfers 10 or more litters, or 50 or more puppies, in any 12-month period. Under SB 161, this definition would be repealed and replaced with the new definition of “pet vendor,” which would apply to anyone who transfers 20 or more animals between July 1 and June 30 of each year.
“It’s utterly ridiculous to regulate someone who doesn’t sell a single dog with the same veracity and oversight that is intended for large-scale kennels,” said Luke Houghton, associate state director for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “There has been no evidence offered that these kennels deserve further regulation. Current law already handles animal-welfare issues. SB 161 is simply a bill in search of a problem.”
Many sporting dog kennels and hobby breeders would easily fall into the new definition of a “pet vender.” Twenty puppies could come from as little as two litters, which is nowhere near a large-scale breeder. Kennels that fall into the new definition of a pet vendor would then be forced to pay $200 for a license and submit to unannounced inspections by the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food. They would also be required to show a record of a microchip, leg band, or tattoo number for each animal and maintain extensive records of all animals they intend to sell. Any person in violation of these provisions could lose their license and or pay a fine of $1,000.
SB 161 will drive up the cost of hobby breeders and sporting-dog kennels who don’t sell enough dogs to offset the red tape that will come from the regulations and requirements that would normally only apply to large scale breeders. Regulating small breeders the same as large scale operations is a one-size-fits-all policy that is akin to treating the neighborhood lemonade stand the same as a supermarket chain. This law is guaranteed to eliminate sporting-dog kennels that do not exist for the primary purpose of selling dogs.
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