The state veterinarian, under the direction of the commissioner, shall have all of the powers of the commissioner and shall have general charge of the enforcement of this chapter. Complaints under N.H. Rev. Stat. § 644:8, 644:8-a, 644:8-aa and any other law pertaining to the abuse of domestic animals, as defined under N.H. Rev. Stat. § 436:1, shall initially be filed with the local law enforcement agency, animal control officer, state police, or sheriff which has jurisdiction over where the animal is located or kept. At the request of the local law enforcement agency, animal control officer, state police, or sheriff, the state veterinarian shall assist in a secondary capacity in enforcing the provisions of and investigating said complaints. In the event the commissioner becomes incapacitated or a vacancy occurs in the office, the state veterinarian shall perform all the duties of that office during any such incapacity or until any such vacancy is filled. The commissioner may direct the state veterinarian to act for him or her in an official capacity whenever he or she may be absent from his or her duties.