Animals and Very Hot and Cold Temperatures

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.

See RSA 436:8. Diseases of Domestic Animals. State Veterinarian. Powers.

See RSA 625:9, Classification of Crimes.

"[T]he defendant in this case failed to become aware of the substantial and unjustifiable risk to the dog for an hour — only learning of the incident when confronted by the police after the fact. The defendant was not merely inattentive, but rather created the risk to the dog by entrusting its care to an 8-year-old and failing to confirm its removal from the car. As stated above, a rational trier of fact could have concluded that this reliance was a gross deviation from reasonable care under the circumstances, and, therefore, does not constitute "mere inattention.""