Since 1981, New Hampshire has had a law that prohibits confining animals in a motor vehicle or other enclosed space that subjects them to either very hot or very cold temperatures. The statute governing this conduct, RSA 644:8-aa, Animals in Motor Vehicle, is short and straightforward. Anyone in violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, for a second or subsequent offense, of a felony. RSA 644:8 defines cruelty to animals and lists the penalties for violating the law.
Unlike some other states, in New Hampshire only law enforcement officers or agents of licensed humane organizations can act to rescue the animal. There is no Good Samaritan immunity from liability for anyone else.
Animal Law in a Nutshell by
Topics include animal anti-cruelty laws, industrial and agricultural uses of animals, torts and other claims for harm done to animals, as well as federal, state and local regulation of animal ownership and use, animal rights activism, hunting, fishing and other recreational uses of animals, animals in entertainment, issues arising when animals are the subject of a contract or the intended beneficiary of a will or trust, remedies for harm done to animals, international animal law, constitutional law issues, and anticipated future legal developments in the field.
Understanding Animal Law by 
Animal Law: Welfare, Interest, and Rights by Please remember that this guide is for information purposes only and is not comprehensive.
It is intended as a starting point for research, to illustrate the various sources of the law, and to provide guidance in their use.
NH Law About ... is not a substitute for the services of an attorney.