First of all, I am grateful that HB 1013 was introduced. It's about time we addressed such an abusive and thoughtless practice that is worsened by the fact that our children are involved. This "pig scramble" is definitely NOT a healthy or educational sport. It is teaching children that it's okay to scare and hurt animals. We know that's morally wrong, so it makes sense to prohibit such harmful stunts. Do you remember the song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young -- "Teach Your Children Well"? This folk song serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of teaching values and wisdom to our children. A great step in that direction is wholeheartedly supporting HB 1013. Thank you!
HB1013
House · 2026 sessionDemocraticSigned into lawRules for pig-capture contests
AIDirects the commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food to develop and publish, in consultation with farmers, veterinarians, and other stakeholders, best handling practices for pig-capture contests before the 2027 fair season.
relative to games wherein the object is to capture a pig.
Status
Signed into law · June 24, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✓Senate
- ✓Governor
- ✓Law
Division of testimony
141 submissionsArgument digest · AI-generated
from 63 of 63 written submissionsHB1013 would ban games in which the object is to capture a pig, commonly known as 'pig scrambles' at fairs. Testimony is overwhelmingly in favor of the ban, with submitters describing the events as causing real fear, injury, and distress to piglets and modeling poor treatment of animals to children, while a small number of opponents defend pig scrambles as a harmless, well-regulated fair tradition that gives children a rare connection to farm animals.
- Chasing, grabbing, and restraining piglets is inherently cruelSupport45 of 63 reviewed
The dominant argument is that pig scrambles cause piglets genuine fear, stress, and sometimes physical injury through chasing, grabbing, and restraint, and that this constitutes animal cruelty regardless of rules or supervision.
“Pig scrambles are not harmless games. The animals involved are frightened, chased, restrained, and confined for the purpose of entertainment.”
— Cheryl Waitt, Londonderry · #594408 — read full submission →
“These events subject pigs to intense fear, physical injury, and rough handling, often resulting in bruising, broken bones, or long-term trauma.”
— Alexis Compagna, Manchester · #601921 — read full submission →
- The events teach children the wrong lesson about treating animalsSupport18 of 63 reviewed
Many supporters argue that allowing children to chase and restrain frightened piglets for fun normalizes cruelty and undermines the development of empathy and compassion.
“When we normalize frightening and mistreating animals for amusement, we send the message that power over a vulnerable being is acceptable.”
— Cheryl Waitt, Londonderry · #594408 — read full submission →
“In pig scrambles, piglets are terrorized and injured. And children learn that it's OK to terrorize and injure (i.e. bully) those who are smaller or weaker.”
— John Hurley, Claremont · #601042 — read full submission →
- Piglets are also subjected to harmful conditions before and after the chaseSupport8 of 63 reviewed
Some submitters describe specific harmful conditions surrounding the events, including confinement in bags or sacks without water or shade in hot weather.
“sometimes confined in inhumane conditions in extreme heat without access to water, or literally bagged like an inanimate object”
— Andrea Veal, Rochester · #593749 — read full submission →
“There was a photo taken on a very hot August day with only their tiny snouts showing for air while they were contained in a seed bag! NO SHADE and NO WATER.”
— Linda Rauter, Chichester · #593812 — read full submission →
- Treatment would be unacceptable if done to a dog or puppySupport3 of 63 reviewed
A few submitters argue that the same treatment applied to a more familiar companion animal, such as a puppy, would be widely condemned, and that pigs deserve the same consideration.
“Would you do that with puppies? Probably not. Piglets are no different than puppies - they are just as smart, if not smarter.”
— Liz Herrick, Deering · #602677 — read full submission →
“You wouldn't allow this to happen to puppies, why then is it okay for piglets?”
— Victor Chouinard, Chester · #595056 — read full submission →
- The practice is an outdated tradition inconsistent with modern animal welfare standardsSupport7 of 63 reviewed
Several submitters argue that long-standing tradition alone does not justify continuing a practice that conflicts with current understanding of animal sentience and welfare.
“Tradition alone is not a sufficient justification for practices that no longer align with modern standards of animal welfare.”
— Carolyn Borkowski, Amherst · #593770 — read full submission →
“Well it's hard to believe that it's 2026 and we still have people who think it's great fun to physically and mentally terrorize animals, deny them water, and restrain them in plastic bags but here we are.”
— Tone Grochala, Milford · #602160 — read full submission →
- Pig scrambles are a well-regulated tradition that does not harm the pigsOppose2 of 63 reviewed
Opponents who supply piglets for or attend these events argue they are tightly regulated, brief, and conducted without cruelty, describing the ban as unnecessary.
“There is no abuse or cruelty before, during, or after this event. Only so many are let out at a time and each heat only takes a few minutes.”
— Joyce Brady, Columbia · #591406 — read full submission →
“This is a time honored tradition at fairs. It is highly regulated, and conducted in a way that the pigs are not harmed.”
— Chuck Souther, Concord · #598727 — read full submission →
- Events give children a rare, valued connection to farm animalsOppose3 of 63 reviewed
Opponents argue the scrambles let many children, who might otherwise never encounter a farm animal, have a hands-on connection to agriculture, and that this benefit outweighs concerns raised.
“So many children get the opportunity to touch a pig, when most of them have probably never seen one in person and this will probably be as close to agriculture that they will ever be.”
— Joyce Brady, Columbia · #591406 — read full submission →
“For many kids this is as close as they will ever get to farm animals. Let the kids have some fun and the pigs usually win.”
— Chuck Souther, Concord · #598727 — read full submission →
- Bill is government overreach into rural cultureOppose1 of 63 reviewed
At least one opponent frames the bill as an unwarranted intrusion that would erode rural traditions and culture.
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 22, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
I believe any inhumane treatment of animals should be stopped. In another time this may have been seen as "fun" but today it send the wrong message to adults and kids alike. Let's work to make NH kind to humans and animals alike. Tracy L Gagnon
Please abolish this arcane and abusive treatment of animals. Baby pigs, or any animal, should not be subjected to this kind of treatment for the amusement of children. Not only is it abusive to the animals but it teaches young children that animals don't matter and that empathy is optional. PLEASE, this world need more empathy, more kindness and far less examples of how to abuse others.
What a weird and barbaric practice.
This is common decency to pass a bill, where we are not purposely instilling fear and torturing an animal. It is not entertainment to chase, terrify, put an animal in a bag!!!! Pig scrambles are not a necessity in our culture. This is not opinion, it is fact. It is unacceptable to treat another living being like this. Please pass this bill.
Live animals are not toys to be played with. Those poor piglets are traumatized and shoved into bags. Would you do that with puppies? Probably not. Piglets are no different than puppies - they are just as smart, if not smarter. Take off your biased cultural glasses and consider the cruelty of this activity. And, beyond that, this activity perpetuates the idea that this behavior is ok - that it's ok to hurt animals that aren't our beloved pets. Please, please, please ban these terrible pig scrambles.
Well it's hard to believe that it's 2026 and we still have people who think it's great fun to physically and mentally terrorize animals, deny them water, and restrain them in plastic bags but here we are. Please pass HB 1013 so that kindness and sanity may prevail, and gentle pigs can at least have one less thing to worry about in this animal abusing world.
Pig scrambles—events in which frightened pigs are chased, grabbed, and restrained for entertainment—should be made illegal due to the unnecessary harm and distress they cause to animals. These events subject pigs to intense fear, physical injury, and rough handling, often resulting in bruising, broken bones, or long-term trauma. Pigs are intelligent, sensitive animals capable of feeling pain and stress, and forcing them into chaotic environments for amusement is both cruel and outdated. There is no educational or public benefit that justifies this treatment, especially when humane, animal-free alternatives for community entertainment exist. Allowing pig scrambles normalizes animal abuse and contradicts modern animal welfare standards. We urge lawmakers to ban pig scrambles and uphold basic principles of compassion, safety, and ethical treatment of animals.
This bill seeks to reduce unnecessary suffering inflicted on piglets during pig scrambles, where they are chased, forcibly restrained, and confined in ways that cause significant stress and fear.
It is a disgrace to take piglets or other animals to be used for our enjoyment. I work with disabled and cancer patients who are able to use these pets as a way to help them to tolerate the pain and suffering they are facing with their medical disabilities. No animal should be used as a human's toy! It is so much more damaging than any one of us realizes.
I strongly support this.
Please for "Yes" on HB 1013. In pig scrambles, piglets are terrorized and injured. And children learn that it's OK to terrorize and injure (i.e. bully) those who are smaller or weaker. A terrible lesson to teach pur children. PS - I signed up already tp support this bill as jack Hurley. But didn't leave written testimony.
We know pigs are extremely intelligent sentient beings. They deserve better than to be terrified and shoved in sacks for entertainment. Please ban this barbaric and outdated practice.
Pigs should not be objects for entertainment. They are living breatihng animals that should not be abused nor neglected for entertainment purposes especially in hot or cold weather. They should be respected as a living creature on this earth.
Please pass this bill. No living being should be subjected to this type of treatment. Please do the right thing. Thank you, Jon Bertrand
We as human beings should be teaching care and compassion. Chasing these poor piglets around could cause injuries to them as well as the children. Please, understand that animals feel pain just as much as humans. Just because they don’t have a voice does not mean we should be able to do whatever we want them.
I support this bill and ending the terrible practice of “pig scrambles”. Pigs are intelligent, sentient beings worthy of living in humane conditions and being well cared for.
I am a physician and animal rescue volunteer. I have fostered dogs since 2012 and participated in other animal rescue activities. I am voting to support banning this cruel practice. Animal welfare should be prioritized and while many do farm animals for food, this form of torture is unnecessary and very cruel..
It is cruel and honestly weird to chase piglets. I do not think this is what we should be teaching children.
Stop this disgusting practice.
Pigs are living beings, not toys to be chased for someone’s amusement.
Stop allowing this to happen to innocent pigs.
Animal abuse is unacceptable. This behavior towards animals must be prohibited. This does not represent the values of the public.
Protecting animals from cruel practices aligns with ethical treatment and public values