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Monkey Mayhem and Kangaroo Carnage? Concerns Loom as New Hampshire Considers Wild Pets Legislation
Matthew Russell
H.B. 1325-FN aims to ease the process for residents to keep these exotic animals as pets without needing a permit from the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department.
Photo: PexelsKangaroos can grow to be very large and powerful.
Lawmakers and Experts Weigh In
The response from lawmakers has been overwhelmingly negative. As WMUR reports, a House committee unanimously voted against the bill, with members citing concerns over the animals' wild nature and potential for violence.
"These animals really are not appropriate for home pet ownership," said state Rep. Peter Bixby, D-Dover prior to voting on the measure. "They are essentially wild animals, and they don't have the domestication bred into them that is necessary to make them viable as pets."
Photo: PexelsKangaroos require specialized diets that are hard to replicate in captivity.
"They can beat the crap out of somebody," said state Rep. Catherine Sofikitis, D-Nashua. "They're not just like a little thing that you can go to the movies with."
"I think part of the most concerning part of this bill was they would be all designated as 'companion animals,' which means that in a disaster, they would have to be housed," said state Rep. Barbara Comtois, R-Barnstead.
Experts and the Humane Society have echoed these concerns.
"Kangaroos could kill children and maim people," said Kurt Ehrenberg, of the Humane Society. "I mean, some of these animals, it's just inane to even think of them as household pets."
Photo: PexelsDomesticating kangaroos disrupts their natural behaviors.
Public Health and Safety Concerns
Beyond the legislative debates, public health officials have raised alarms about the possible transmission of diseases between humans and these exotic pets, particularly monkeys, Boston.com reports. Despite the lack of vaccination requirements in the proposed bill, proponents argue that responsible pet ownership should address these concerns.
“If I am requested to submit legislation by a constituent, I have a policy of either explaining to them why I won’t, or actually submitting it,” state Rep. Michael Granger told Boston.com. “In this case, I could think of no legitimate reason why kangaroo and caribou shouldn’t be legal to farm. It was surprising to me that this was not allowed in the first place.”
The opposition fears that the unpredictable behavior of animals like short-tailed monkeys, likened to "perpetually vicious and angry 2-year-olds" by state Rep. Judy Aron, presents an inherent risk that cannot be mitigated by responsible ownership alone.
Photo: PexelsPrimates should not be kept as pets.
Looking Towards Liberty or Liability?
Proponents of the bill, like state Rep. Tom Mannion, argue for personal freedom and the economic benefits of such exotic pet ownership. Mannion, inspired by social media interactions, suggests that societal pressure and the love for pets would ensure their proper care without state mandates, reports CBS News.
Meanwhile, another proposal focuses on the potential for kangaroo farming, promoted by Granger and supported by the Free State Food Network. This initiative aims to leverage kangaroos' lower methane production compared to traditional livestock, presenting an environmentally friendly alternative for local food production.
Photo: PexelsMany New Hampshire lawmakers oppose the bill proposing to legalize the ownership of kangaroos, monkeys, and skunks.
The Path Forward
Despite the intrigue and potential benefits touted by supporters, the unanimous rejection of the bill by New Hampshire lawmakers reflects a broader consensus on the importance of prioritizing public safety and animal welfare.
As the state moves forward, this decision may set a precedent for other regions grappling with similar proposals. The dialogue between liberty and liability continues, with the well-being of both residents and potential exotic pets hanging in the balance.
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