HB520: relative to maintaining records of greyhounds used in pari-mutuel racing.

CHAPTER 261

HB 520-FN – FINAL VERSION

03/17/04 0884s

29Apr2004… 1347eba

2004 SESSION

03-0399

08/01

HOUSE BILL 520-FN

AN ACT relative to maintaining records of greyhounds used in pari-mutuel racing.

SPONSORS: Rep. P. LaFlamme, Hills 61; Rep. Movsesian, Hills 60

COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the pari-mutuel commission to maintain records of injuries and final dispositions of greyhounds used for racing, and provides for criminal penalties for falsification of information supplied to the commission.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/17/04 0884s

29Apr2004… 1347eba

03-0399

08/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Four

AN ACT relative to maintaining records of greyhounds used in pari-mutuel racing.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

261:1 New Sections; Records of Greyhounds Used in Racing. Amend RSA 284 by inserting after section 14-b the following new sections:

284:14-c Records of Greyhound Disposition.

I. The commission shall maintain accurate records and statistics regarding the disposition of all greyhounds that have participated in dog racing in the state, including racing greyhounds received from other jurisdictions. For the purposes of this section, the word “disposition” shall mean euthanasia, transfer to another jurisdiction, adoption, or donation or sale for medical research or other purpose. Such records shall include the following information:

(a) The greyhound’s registered name and left and right ear tattoos, the name and address of the greyhound’s owner, trainer, and kennel operator at the time of disposition, and the name and address of the race track where the greyhound last raced prior to disposition.

(b) If the greyhound has been transferred to another race track, the name and address of the race track that received the greyhound.

(c) If the greyhound has been retired for breeding, the name and address of the facility that received the greyhound.

(d) If the greyhound has been adopted or placed for adoption, the name, address and telephone number of the person or entity that received the greyhound.

(e) If the greyhound has been euthanized, the name, address, professional title and professional affiliation of the person performing the euthanasia, the manner of euthanasia, and a detailed statement of reasons why the greyhound was euthanized rather than adopted or placed for adoption.

(f) If the greyhound has been sold or donated to an individual, corporation or entity, the name and address of the individual, corporation or entity purchasing or receiving the greyhound, and the purpose for which the greyhound is being purchased or received.

(g) If the greyhound’s disposition does not fit into any of the above categories, the owner, trainer, or kennel operator shall state, in detail, the greyhound’s destination, and the specific purpose for which the greyhound has been received, sold, transferred or donated.

II. All disposition forms shall be completed and signed under the pains and penalties of perjury by the greyhound’s owner, trainer or kennel operator, whose signature shall be witnessed by a representative of the commission. Whoever knowingly makes a false written statement on a disposition form shall be guilty of a violation. A person found guilty of knowingly violating this section for a second or subsequent offense shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Disposition records created and maintained under this section shall be retained by the commission for a period of 7 years and shall be made available to the public upon oral or written request.

284:14-d Records of Greyhound Injuries.

I. The commission shall maintain accurate records and statistics regarding injuries to greyhounds. The records shall include the following:

(a) The greyhound’s registered name and right and left ear tattoo numbers.

(b) The owner, trainer, and kennel operator’s name, business address, and telephone number.

(c) The color, weight, and sex of the greyhound.

(d) Where the injury took place on a race track or other area.

(e) If the injury occurred while the greyhound was racing, the race track where the injury occurred, along with the distance, grade, race, and post position when the injury occurred; the specific type of injury, the cause of the injury, the estimated recovery time, and the location of injury on the greyhound.

II. All injury forms shall be completed and signed under the pains and penalties of perjury by the race track veterinarian, whose signature shall be witnessed by a representative of the commission. Whoever knowingly makes a false written statement on an injury form shall be guilty of a violation. A person found guilty of knowingly violating this section for a second or subsequent offense shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Injury records created and maintained under this section shall be retained by the commission for a period of 7 years and shall be made available to the public upon oral or written request.

261:2 New Paragraph; Rulemaking. Amend RSA 284:12 by inserting after paragraph VI the following new paragraph:

VII. Rules governing disposition records and injury records of greyhounds, including creating forms and establishing procedure, pursuant to RSA 284:14-c and RSA 284:14-d.

261:3 Contingent Renumbering. If SB 450-FN of the 2004 legislative session becomes law, then RSA 284:12, VII as inserted by section 2 of this act shall be renumbered to RSA 284:12, VIII.

261:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2005.

(Approved: Enacted in accordance with Article 44, Part II, N.H. Constitution, without signature of Governor, June 17, 2004)

(Effective Date: January 1, 2005)