[Amended 8-3-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-12]
For the purposes of this article, the following
terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings
stated herein unless their use in the text of this chapter clearly
demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context,
words used in the present tense include the future, words used in
the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the
singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always
mandatory and not merely directory.
ANIMAL
Dogs, cats and other owned animals (hereinafter referred
to as "animals").
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
A certified municipal animal control officer or in the absence
of such an officer, the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality
or his designee.
AT LARGE
Off the property of the owner and not on a leash.
IMMEDIATE
Shall mean that the pet solid waste is removed at once, without
delay.
LICENSING OF ANIMALS
Any dog which has attained the age six months or which possesses
a set of permanent teeth.
OWNER/KEEPER
Any person who shall possess, maintain, house or harbor any
pet or otherwise have custody of any pet, whether or not the owner
of such pet.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm,
association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal
jurisdiction.
PET
A domesticated animal (other than a disability assistance
animal) kept for amusement or companionship.
PET SOLID WASTE
Waste matter expelled from the bowels of the pet; excrement.
POUND
An establishment for the confinement of animals.
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG
Any dog or dog hybrid declared potentially dangerous by a
municipal court pursuant to Section 7 of P.L. 1989, c. 307 (N.J.S.A.
4:19-23).
PROPER DISPOSAL
Placement in a designated waste receptacle, or other suitable
container, and discarded in a refuse container which is regularly
emptied by the municipality or some other refuse collector; or disposal
into a system designed to convey domestic sewage for proper treatment
and disposal.
VICIOUS ANIMAL
Any animal, as defined in this section, which attacks and
bites or attempts to attack and bite persons or dogs or other animals
without being incited to do so or which has shown such savagery, fierceness
or ferocity as to indicate that it is a threat to the safety of other
animals or persons.
VICIOUS DOG
Any dog or hybrid declared vicious by a municipal court pursuant
to Section 6 of P.L. 1989, c. 307 (N.J.S.A. 4:19-22).
Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a dog
of licensing age shall, within 10 days after the acquisition thereof,
and annually thereafter in the month of January, apply for and procure
from the Animal Control Officer a license and official metal registration
tag for each such dog owned, kept or harbored and shall place upon
each such a dog collar or harness with the registration tag securely
fastened thereto. Such license shall state the breed, sex, age, name,
color and markings of the dog for which the license and registration
are sought, whether it is of a long- or short-haired variety and the
name, street and post office address of the owner and the person who
shall keep or harbor such dog. Upon request by the Animal Control
Officer, the license and official registration shall be produced.
[Amended 12-1-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-12]
A. Any person applying for a license and registration
shall pay for each new or renewed license a fee of $13 per dog. Persons
applying for a license who present a certificate signed by a licensed
veterinarian stating that the dog has been spayed or neutered shall
be entitled to a reduction of $3 in the annual fee.
B. Dogs used as guides for blind persons and commonly
known as "Seeing Eye" dogs, dogs used to assist handicapped persons
and commonly known as "Service Dogs" and dogs used to assist deaf
persons and commonly known as "Hearing Ear" dogs shall be licensed
and registered as other dogs hereinabove provided for, except that
the owners and keepers of such dogs shall not be required to pay any
fee therefor.
The disposition of license fees and registration
fees collected hereunder shall be in accordance with N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.11.
[Amended 4-5-2006 by Ord. No 2006-8; 8-2-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-15]
The Animal Control Officer of the Township shall
biannually cause a canvass to be made of all dogs owned, kept or harbored
within the Township and shall report on or before September 12 of
each year to the Township Clerk and to the State Department of Health
the result thereof, setting forth in separate columns the names and
addresses of persons owning, keeping or harboring unlicensed dogs
owned, kept or harbored by each of the said persons, together with
a complete description of each of said unlicensed dogs.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning,
keeping, harboring or having the custody and possession of any animal,
whether licensed or not, to permit such animal to be at large within
the Township unless it is securely confined in a vehicle and under
the direct and immediate close supervision of a person capable of
controlling such animal or is confined upon a leash not more than
eight feet in length.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning,
keeping, harboring or having the custody and possession of any animal,
whether licensed or not, whether on a leash or not, to permit such
animal to be in any public park, on playing fields, or at the pool
pavilion complex.
The Township Council is hereby authorized and
empowered to appoint one or more persons, to be known as "Poundkeeper"
or "Poundkeepers," with full power and authority to carry out the
provisions of this article. The Township Council shall fix the compensation
to be paid to such person or persons so appointed and shall pay the
same out of the moneys of the Township.
No person shall keep, harbor or maintain any
animal which habitually barks or cries to the extent of annoying adjoining
neighbors and residents.
No person owning, keeping or harboring an animal
shall permit or suffer it to do any injury or damage to any lawn,
garden, shrubbery, flowers, grounds or other property.
No person owning, keeping or harboring an animal
shall permit or suffer it to do any injury or damage to any poultry
or domestic animals.