Representative Robert Haefner (R-Hudson) introduced legislation earlier this year which would require any person who videotapes alleged instances of animal cruelty to report such activities to law enforcement authorities, and submit any unedited photographs or video recordings to the law enforcement authorities within 24 hours of the recording's creation.  HB 110 has the support of responsible animal owners, farmers, and the animal agriculture industry.  This bill would prevent activist groups from withholding unedited video footage and would protect the animals in question by bringing any concerns to light immediately.

Although the New Hampshire legislature has adjourned for the year, the House Environment and Agriculture Committee is meeting in an Executive Session this Tuesday, September  10 to discuss further action on the bill, which has a chance to carry over to the 2014 session.  Please take a moment to contact Representative Haefner and the members of the House Committee on Environment and Agriculture to express your SUPPORT for HB 110, and urge them to pass this important piece of legislation.  Contact information and sample talking points are below – all 20 Committee members can be reached at one email address, so it won’t take much time for you to make your support known.

In the past, activist groups have delayed the release of “undercover” video of alleged animal mistreatment until they could get the most publicity – oftentimes sharing edited footage with the media or online for their political advantage before reporting alleged incidents to the proper authorities who could protect the animals in question.  Representative Haefner’s bill would compel such groups to follow the proper channels for reporting animal mistreatment.  It is being opposed by animal rights groups.

Thank you for your assistance on this issue!

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To express your support for New Hampshire HB 110:

1.       Contact the bill sponsor:

Representative Robert Haefner

New Hampshire House of Representatives

107 North Main Street

Concord, NH 03301

Phone: (603) 271-3125

Email: bobhaefnerjp@comcast.net

2.       Send a short, polite email to HouseEnvironmentandAgricultureCommittee@leg.state.nh.us to reach all 20 members of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee at once.  Please mention that you SUPPORT HB 110 in the subject line of your email.

 
Sample talking points for emails/letters (please use your own words where possible):

• You support Representative Haefner’s efforts to protect responsible animal agriculture in the state of New Hampshire.
• Recordings of suspected animal abuse are evidence and should be turned over the law enforcement for appropriate action prior to being edited or released to the public for public relations purposes.
• Prompt reporting of suspected abuse best protects animal safety.