CONCORD — Sex acts between humans and animals will be illegal in New Hampshire under a bill the House approved Thursday.

House Bill 1547 would make “bestiality” a crime in the state. Bill supporters said existing animal cruelty laws are ineffective to address the problem,

A House committee addressed concerns raised by farmers at a public hearing making the bill less controversial as it was approved without debate.

At the public hearing earlier this month, Nancy Holmes of New Boston told the committee the bill intrudes into normal animal husbandry practices, the breeding of hybrids between species and the transfer of animals for breeding.

Others said the bill makes exceptions for commercial breeders and veterinarians but not for farmers who want to breed their own animals or breed a horse and donkey to create a mule.

Some definitions were changed and clarified so it would be more clear what would be a crime under the new legislation.

The prime sponsor of the bill Rep. Katherine Rogers, D-Concord, told the committee at the public hearing that bestiality exists in the state and stronger protections are needed for animals.

New Hampshire is one of 10 states that do not specifically prohibit bestiality.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

grayno@unionleader.com