427:33 Terms Defined.
427:34 Prohibition.
427:35 Prohibition.
427:36 Penalty.
427:37 Administration and Enforcement.
As used in this subdivision the following words and phrases shall be construed as follows:
I. The term “slaughterer” means any person, partnership, corporation or association regularly engaged in the slaughtering of livestock;
II. The term “livestock” shall include but not be limited to cattle, steer, oxen, horses, swine, sheep, goats, as well as domesticated strains of buffalo, bison, llamas, alpacas, emus, ostriches, yaks, elk (Cervus canadensis), fallow deer (Dama dama), red deer (Cervus elephus), reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), poultry, rabbits, and other species of animals susceptible of use in the production of meat and meat products;
III. The term “humane method” means:
(a) Any method of slaughtering livestock which normally causes animals to be rendered insensible to pain by a single blow or shot of a mechanical instrument or by electrical, chemical or other means that is rapid and effective, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut; and
(b) The method of slaughtering in accordance with the ritual requirements of any religious faith that prescribes a method of slaughter whereby the animal suffers loss of consciousness by anemia of the brain caused by the simultaneous and instantaneous severance of the carotid arteries with a sharp instrument, provided that the method used in bringing the animal into position for slaughter causes no injury or pain which can be avoided without interfering with the requirements of ritualistic slaughter or without imposing unreasonable economic hardship.
IV. The term “holding pen” means enclosures or yards where animals are held or handled before slaughtering.
HISTORY
Source. 1985, 72:1. 1998, 310:1, eff. Aug. 25, 1998. 2014, 97:4, eff. Aug. 10, 2014. 2017, 145:4, eff. Aug. 15, 2017.
Amendments--2017. Paragraph III(b): Substituted “in accordance with the ritual requirements of any religious faith that prescribes a method of slaughter” for “required by the ritual of the Jewish faith”.
--2014. Paragraph II: Substituted “(Cervus canadensis),” for “(Cervus elephus canadensis),” and “tarandus” for “taradus”.
--1998. Paragraph II: Amended generally.
On and after June 30, 1960, no slaughterer may slaughter livestock except by a humane method. No person may handle livestock in connection with slaughter, or drive or transport them to holding pens or to place of slaughter except with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. Holding pens and transportation vehicles must be free from hazards which could cause suffering or pain.
HISTORY
Source. 1985, 72:1, eff. July 1, 1985.
No person who has taken possession of a horse, ostensibly for slaughter, shall use or deliver possession of said animal for any other purpose.
HISTORY
Source. 1985, 72:1, eff. July 1, 1985.
Any slaughterer who violates this subdivision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
HISTORY
Source. 1985, 72:1, eff. July 1, 1985.
427:37 Administration and Enforcement.
The commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food may administer the provisions of this subdivision, adopt such rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, as may be necessary to carry this subdivision into effect, and approve all methods of slaughter used under the terms of this subdivision. He or she may, by administrative order, allow any person a single temporary exemption from compliance with any provision of this subdivision for such period of time as he or she shall determine reasonable, not to exceed one year. The commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food shall cause to be prosecuted any slaughterer who fails to comply with the provisions of this subdivision. Any agent authorized by the commissioner, upon being designated, in writing, for that purpose by the sheriff of any county in this state, may, within such county, at any time inspect the premises and operations of any slaughterer and, if he or she deems it advisable, request an investigation and appropriate action by the commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food.
HISTORY
Source. 1985, 72:1. 1995, 130:5, eff. July 23, 1995. 2010, 302:1, eff. July 13, 2010.
Amendments--2010. Substituted “may” for “shall” following “food” in the first sentence; inserted “or she” following “He” and also following “as he” in the second sentence; and, substituted “agent authorized by the commissioner” for “officer or agent of any incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals” following “Any” and inserted “or she” following “if he” in the fourth sentence.