The words herein defined shall have the meanings herein indicated for the purpose of this article as follows:
ABANDONED ANIMAL
An animal of any age which has been left unattended or unclaimed for a period of 72 hours or more.
ALTERED or STERILIZED
Any method utilized to prevent reproduction of a dog or cat.
ANIMAL
For the purposes of this article, an animal refers to a dog, cat, or domesticated animal.
ANIMAL HOUSING
A structure used for housing an animal outdoors on private property or business property.
APARTMENT COMPLEX
A multiple dwelling containing six dwelling units or more.
AT LARGE
An unleashed animal off the premises of the owner.
CAT
Any animal of the feline species (Felis catus).
COMMERCIAL KENNEL
An establishment for the treatment, care, boarding, or training of dogs or cats for a fee, or a place where dogs or cats are bred for resale or for a fee; and where the business is the primary source of income; and where such establishment has been currently inspected and approved for use by the Gloucester County Health Department and any other applicable state agencies.
DOG
Any animal of the canine species (Canis familiaris) except dingoes.
DOG OF LICENSING AGE
Any dog which has attained the age of six months or which possesses a set of permanent teeth.
DOMESTICATED ANIMAL
An animal tamed and adapted to live in close association with and to the benefit of humans.
LEASHED
Restrained by a leash no greater than six feet in length, attached to a collar or harness of sufficient strength to restrain the animal and which shall be held by a person having the ability to control the animal at hand.
OWNER
Any person having a right of property in any animal, or any person who has an animal in his/her custody, or any person offering or allowing access to food, water or shelter to an animal, or any person exercising control over an animal or permitting, allowing or suffering an animal to remain on premises under his/her control, or anyone who takes an animal out into the public streets, sidewalks or public ways.
PERSON
An individual, firm, partnership, corporation or association of persons.
PET SHOP
Any room or group of rooms, cage or exhibition pen, not part of a kennel, wherein dogs for sale are kept or displayed.
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG
Any dog or dog hybrid declared potentially dangerous by a municipal court pursuant to § 7 of P.L. 1989, c. 307 (N.J.S.A. 4:19-23).
POUND
See "shelter."
PROPERTY
A block and lot with an occupied dwelling unit or dwelling units on it.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
An animal that causes damage to public or private property or causes harm to any person.
SHELTER
An establishment for the confinement of dogs seized either under the provisions of this article or otherwise.
STRAY ANIMAL
An animal having no known owner or custodian.
TETHER
To confine an animal with rope, chain, or similar material by which an animal is fastened so that it is able to range or feed only within certain limits.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIAL
Any Township code enforcement official, Elk Township Police Department officer, Gloucester County animal control officer, the Municipal Clerk, or any other official or person assigned or designated by Mayor and Committee.
VICIOUS DOG
Any dog or dog hybrid declared vicious by a municipal court pursuant to § 6 of P.L. 1989, c. 307 (N.J.S.A. 4:19-22).
Number of dogs permitted. A property within the Township of Elk shall be limited to five dogs, with the exception of those having a valid commercial kennel license. Apartment complexes shall be exempt from this section, subject to the requirements of such apartment complex.
A. 
License requirement. No person shall own, keep, harbor, or maintain any dog over six months of age within the Township of Elk unless such dog is licensed. The provisions of this section do not apply to dogs held by a state or federally licensed research facility, a veterinary establishment, shelter, pound, licensed commercial kennel, or pet shop. No dog may be licensed without proof of vaccination as detailed below.
B. 
Dogs subject to the licensing requirement. All dogs are subject to the following licensing requirements:
(1) 
Any dog acquired by any person during the course of any calendar year and kept within the Township for more than 10 days after acquisition.
(2) 
Any dog attaining licensing age during the course of the calendar year.
(3) 
Any unlicensed dog brought into the Township by any person and kept within the Township for more than 10 days.
(4) 
Any dog licensed by a Township or municipality of another state brought into the Township by any person and kept within the Township for more than 90 days.
C. 
Previously licensed pets. Only one license and registration tag shall be required in any licensing year for any dog owned in New Jersey, and a license and tag issued by any other municipality in this state shall be accepted by the Township as evidence of compliance with this section. However, upon the expiration of the license for that dog issued by another municipality of this state, said dog shall be so licensed in accordance with this article. The owner of any such dog shall provide to the Township a copy of the license which was issued by the other municipality.
D. 
Licensing and fees.
(1) 
All dogs within the limits of the Township of Elk shall be licensed in accordance with New Jersey statutes, and the licensing fee therefor shall be as follows:
(a) 
For altered or sterilized dogs: $10.
[Amended 4-2-2015 by Ord. No. O-4-2015]
(b) 
For nonaltered or nonsterilized dogs: $13.
[Amended 4-2-2015 by Ord. No. O-4-2015]
(c) 
Commercial kennel: $100.
(d) 
A dog deemed as a potentially dangerous dog: $700.
(2) 
A late fee of $10, in addition to the fees set forth above, shall be imposed upon an owner where a dog within the Township limits qualifying for a license on the first day of each year is not licensed before the first day of March of each calendar year.
[Amended 5-3-2012 by Ord. No. O-3-2012; 4-2-2015 by Ord. No. O-4-2015]
(3) 
Any owner who fails to obtain a license for a dog as required herein shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not to exceed $2,000.
Any person who harbors or possess any dog for a period of 15 days or more shall, for the purpose of this article, be deemed to be the owner of the dog or dogs so harbored or possessed.
All applications for dog licenses shall be made to the Township Clerk or other official designated by the Township Committee, who shall maintain an account of registration information for the purpose of registering the name of the person or persons owning, keeping, possessing or harboring any dog or dogs, and the number shall be entered therein and a number for each application for registration of such dog or dogs shall be issued in the order in which the applications are made. The application shall state the breed, sex, age, color and markings of the dog for which license and registration are sought and whether it is of a long- or short-haired variety; also the name, street and post office address of the owner and the person who shall keep or harbor such dog. The information on said application and the registration number issued for the dog shall be preserved for a period of three years by the Township Clerk. In addition, he or she shall forward similar information to the State Department of Health each month, on forms furnished by said Department.
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," or 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 owner or keeper of such dog shall not be required to pay any fee. Police dogs on active duty and not retired are likewise exempt from the payment of any fee.
All dogs within the Township of Elk shall be vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the following:
A. 
Vaccination shall be performed by a veterinarian licensed to practice in the State of New Jersey. The vaccine used shall be from a manufacturer licensed by the Bureau of Animal Husbandry of the United States Department of Agriculture or such other agency as shall be approved by the State Department of Health. The dosage shall be as recommended by the manufacturer. All dogs shall be revaccinated before the expiration of the period of time for which the vaccine used is known to be effective.
B. 
The Township Clerk may exempt any dog from the provisions of this subsection if there is presented to him/her a certificate from a licensed veterinarian stating that it would be undesirable to vaccinate a particular dog for a specified period of time because of the animal's age, infirmity or other physical condition.
C. 
No vaccination shall be required for any dog confined to a licensed kennel, pet shop, shelter, pound or veterinary hospital.
D. 
The fact that a dog has been vaccinated against rabies shall be evidenced by a certificate from the veterinarian performing the vaccination. The certificate shall either be on a form approved by the State or County Board of Health Officer or a standard immunization certificate shall be used by the veterinarian. The certificate shall be presented to the Township official within 10 days after each vaccination. In the case of dogs vaccinated before being brought into the Township, the certificate shall be presented to the Township official within 10 days after the animal is brought into the Township.
E. 
No dog license shall be issued until the certificate indicating that it has been vaccinated against rabies or the certification that it is not necessary to vaccinate the dog is presented.
A. 
All dogs for which licenses are required by the provisions of this article shall wear a collar or harness with the registration tag for such dog securely fastened to it. No person, except an appropriate officer in the performance of his or her duties, shall remove a registration tag from the collar of any dog without consent of the owner, nor shall any person attach a registration tag to a dog which was not issued in accordance with this article.
B. 
Substitute tags may be issued upon proof, from the owner sufficient to satisfy the Township Clerk, of the loss of the original tag. Any owner so obtaining such substitute tag or tags shall pay an additional fee of $1 for each and every substitute tag.
Any dog owner who shall suffer, allow or permit any unlicensed dog to run at large or shall suffer, allow, or permit any dog, whether licensed or not, to run at large without the tags as provided by law or who shall cause or permit any unlicensed dog to wear such a tag shall be guilty of a violation of this article.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 et seq., if the municipal court declares any dog to be potentially dangerous, it shall issue an order and a schedule for compliance which, in part:
A. 
Shall require the owner to comply with the following conditions:
(1) 
To apply, at his or her own expense, to the Municipal Clerk or other official designated to license dogs, for a special municipal potentially dangerous dog license, municipal registration number, and red identification tag issued pursuant to § 60-14 of this chapter. The owner shall, at his or her own expense, have the registration number tattooed upon the dog in a prominent location. A potentially dangerous dog shall be impounded until the owner obtains a municipal potentially dangerous dog license, municipal registration number, and red identification tag.
(2) 
To display, in a conspicuous manner, a sign on his or her premises warning that a potentially dangerous dog is on the premises. The sign shall be visible and legible from 50 feet of the enclosure required pursuant to Subsection A(3) of this section.
(3) 
To immediately erect and maintain an enclosure for the potentially dangerous dog on the property where the potentially dangerous dog will be kept and maintained, which has sound sides, top and bottom to prevent the potentially dangerous dog from escaping by climbing, jumping or digging and within a fence of at least six feet in height, separated by at least three feet from the confined area. The owner of a potentially dangerous dog shall securely lock the enclosure to prevent the entry of the general public and to preclude any release or escape of a potentially dangerous dog by an unknowing child or other person. All potentially dangerous dogs shall be confined in the enclosure or, if taken out of the enclosure, securely muzzled and restrained with a tether approved by the Animal Control Officer and having a minimum tensile strength sufficiently in excess of that required to restrict the potentially dangerous dog's movements to a radius of no more than three feet from the owner and under the direct supervision of the owner.
B. 
May require the owner to maintain liability insurance in an amount determined by the municipal court to cover any damage or injury caused by the potentially dangerous dog. The liability insurance, which may be separate from any other homeowner policy, shall contain a provision requiring the municipality in which the owner resides to be named as an additional insured for the sole purpose of being notified by the insurance company of any cancellation, termination or expiration of the liability insurance policy.
C. 
Appeal of decision. The owner of the dog, or the Animal Control Officer in the municipality in which the dog was impounded, may appeal any final decision, order, or judgment, including any conditions attached thereto, of a municipal court pursuant to P.L. 1989, c. 307 (N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 et seq.), by filing an appeal with the Superior Court, Law Division, in accordance with the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey pertaining to appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction. The Superior Court shall hear the appeal by conducting a hearing de novo in the manner established by those rules for appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction.
A. 
General requirements. No person shall at any time cause or allow any dog or domesticated animal to be kept outside on private or public property within the Township of Elk excepting that:
(1) 
The animal shall have access to and be provided with suitable and edible food of sufficient quantity on a daily basis and replenished at a minimum of every 12 hours.
(2) 
The animal shall at all times have access to and be provided with clean water (cool in summer and unfrozen in winter.)
(3) 
The animal shall have access to an area to defecate or urinate separate from the areas where it must eat, drink or lay down.
(4) 
Fecal matter must be removed on a daily basis, when the dog is either tethered or confined within a fenced area not exceeding 100 square feet.
(5) 
The primary area where the animal is kept must be located behind the principal dwelling on the property.
(6) 
It shall be prohibited to allow any dog, cat or domesticated animal to be kept outdoors at any vacant structure or premises at any time.
B. 
Animal housing. No person shall keep, use, or maintain a dog or domesticated animal outdoors on any premises unless such animal has access to housing meeting all of the following:
(1) 
The housing shall be provided with five weatherproof sides, including a top, a bottom and minimum of three sides. The housing must have an entrance covered by a self-closing swinging door or covering or an "L" shaped entrance to prevent the wind and elements from entering the house.
(2) 
The housing must be moisture proof, weathertight, and maintained in good repair.
(3) 
The housing must be placed in a dry area free of debris, feces, and standing water.
(4) 
The housing shall be cleaned on a daily basis and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
(5) 
If multiple animals are present in one location, each animal must have separate and clean housing.
C. 
Tethering. No person shall at any time fasten, chain, or tether any dog or domesticated animal or cause or allow such animal to be fastened, chained, or tethered on private or public property within the Township of Elk excepting that:
(1) 
Any restraint system shall be situated and terminate no less than 10 feet from any adjacent property boundary.
(2) 
Any restraint system must be situated and terminate no less than five feet from any fence, pool, wall, vehicle, tree, or any other object or obstruction upon which any animal may harm itself.
(3) 
The tether is to be constructed of a secure lightweight material that shall not exceed 1/8 of said animal's total body weight.
(4) 
The animal must be provided with a properly fitting harness or buckle-type collar. Such collar attaching the tether to the animal shall be constructed of leather, nylon, or comparable material. Said collar shall be maintained in good condition. Metal and choke collars are prohibited.
(5) 
The tether shall be at least 15 feet in length and not less than 3 1/2 times the length of the animal, whichever is longer, as measured from the animal's nose to the base of its tail.
(6) 
The tether shall be provided with swivels at both ends and shall be maintained tangle free.
(7) 
Tethered dogs must be altered or sterilized. The tethered animal shall have access to adequate animal housing in accordance with the following section of this article.
(8) 
It shall be prohibited to tether any dog less than six months of age.
(9) 
It shall be prohibited to tether animals to barrels, vehicles, any object which is not stationary, or other objects which may harm or injure the animal.
D. 
Fencing. No person shall at any time cause or allow any dog or domesticated animal to be kept within a fenced area on private or public property within the Township of Elk excepting that:
(1) 
Any dog or domesticated animal confined within a fenced area must have adequate space for exercise and movement, which shall not be less than 100 square feet.
(2) 
The fencing shall be constructed and maintained as to prevent the animal from leaving or escaping the fenced area and to prevent other animals from entering the fenced area.
A. 
Habitual barking. No person shall own any dog which habitually cries or barks in a manner which would annoy or disturb a reasonable person. An "annoyance or disturbance," for the purpose of this section, shall be defined as barking, howling or crying continuously for a period of 30 minutes or more or intermittently for 60 minutes or more. A violation of this section shall subject the owner of the offending dog to the penalties for a violation of this chapter.
B. 
Running at large; leash required; certain public places prohibited. No person owning a dog shall permit it to run at large upon the public streets, public parks, public buildings or in any other public place with the Township nor permit a dog to run at large upon private property without the permission of the owner. No person owning a dog shall permit it upon the public streets or in any other public place in the Township unless the dog is accompanied and controlled by a person over the age of 10 and is securely fastened to a leash. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, it shall be a violation of this chapter for any person owning, keeping or harboring any dog to suffer or permit such dog, whether on a leash or not, to be upon any parks, recreation or athletic fields owned, maintained or operated by the Township of Elk or upon any property owned, maintained or operated by the Board of Education of the Township of Elk.
C. 
Damage to property prohibited. No person owning or in control of a dog or cat shall allow it to damage any lawn, shrubbery, flowers or grounds of any public park, public building or other public place within the Township or upon any private property.
D. 
Damage or injury to other property, pets or persons is prohibited. It shall be a violation of this chapter for an owner of a dog to suffer, allow, or permit the following prohibited acts:
(1) 
Bite, chase, jump upon, interfere with or otherwise impede pedestrian traffic or the mobility of any person on public property or within a public sidewalk or right-of-way.
(2) 
Chase, leap upon, interfere with, or otherwise impede the progress of any bicyclist or other person utilizing self-powered transportation or motor vehicle or motorized transportation on any public or private road, public property, or with a public right-of-way.
(3) 
Barks, growls, or otherwise displays aggressive behavior towards a human being and places in such person a reasonable apprehension of bodily harm or injury.
(4) 
To destroy or damage any structure or equipment on any public park, public building or other public place or upon private property.
E. 
Defecation on public or private property prohibited; exception.
(1) 
No person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge of any dog shall cause, suffer or allow such a dog to soil, defile, or defecate on or commit any nuisance on any common thoroughfare, sidewalk, passageway, bypass, park, open space area or any place where people congregate or walk or upon any public property whatsoever, or upon any private property without the permission of the owner of the property.
(2) 
Notwithstanding anything contained in Subsection E(1) to the contrary, the restrictions as set forth above shall not apply to that portion of the street lying between the curblines which shall be used to curb such dog upon the following conditions:
(a) 
The person who curbs the dog shall immediately remove feces deposited by the dog by a sanitary method, such as in a sealed, nonabsorbent, leakproof container (i.e., plastic bag).
(b) 
The feces removed from the aforementioned designated area shall be disposed of by the person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge of any dog curbed in a sanitary manner but shall not be placed in a public trash receptacle or storm drain.
(3) 
Any owner or person in custody of any dog being walked upon any common thoroughfare, sidewalk, street, passageway, path or any place where people congregate must have in his or her possession a sealed, nonabsorbent, leakproof container as described in Subsection E(2)(a) above, and appropriate materials or devices to remove feces deposited by the animal. The failure to possess such container and materials to clean up feces deposited by the animal shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
(4) 
The requirements of this section shall not apply to the owner of any dog when said dog is utilized as a guide for any person or owner who is legally blind.
The Township Committee of the Township of Elk shall have the power to appoint some suitable and fit person or corporation to be known as the "Animal Control Officer," and it shall be the duty of such officer, in addition to the implied duties hereby conferred, to carry out the provisions of and enforce this chapter.
[Added 10-4-2018 by Ord. No. O-7-2018]
Gloucester County Animal Control Officers (GCACO), or other designate, may investigate, and/or require compliance for violations pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:22. In the event the GCACO, or designate sees or recognizes a potential criminal situation, or the need arises where a criminal investigation is warranted, the GCACO shall make contact/report to the Municipal Humane Law Enforcement Officer for further action. The GCACO may continue to contribute to the investigation as requested or required.
A. 
Impounding, right of entry and notice to owner.
(1) 
Any Township official of the Township of Elk empowered to perform any duty under this chapter is hereby authorized to take into custody and impound any of the following dogs:
(a) 
Any dog off the premises of the owner which such appropriate officer has reason to believe is a stray.
(b) 
Any dog off of the premises of the owner without a current registration tag on its collar.
(c) 
Any female dog in season off of the premises of the owner.
(2) 
If any dog impounded and seized that is wearing a registration tag attached to its collar or harness, having inscribed on it or attached to it the name and address of any person or the owner of the dog, a notice shall be given in writing and served on the premises of the person or owner within 24 hours of the seizure stating that the dog has been seized and will be liable to be disposed of or destroyed if not claimed within seven days after the service of this notice. Notice may be served either by delivering it in person on whom it is to be served or by leaving it at the person's usual or last known place of abode or at the address given on the dog's collar or by forwarding it by mail in a prepaid letter addressed to that person at such address.
(3) 
Any officer authorized or empowered to perform any duty under this chapter is hereby authorized to go upon any premises to seize for impounding any such dogs when such officer is in immediate pursuit of such animal.
B. 
Destruction of impounded dogs. When any dog has been detained for seven days after notice as set forth above has been given, or has been detained for seven days after seizure when notice has not been given due to the owner of such animal being unknown, and that the owner or person keeping or harboring the dog whose name is on the tag of the registration has not claimed the dog and paid all expenses incurred by reason of its detention, including any applicable redemption, maintenance, or other fees, and the appropriate licensing fees paid in full and proof of vaccination produced, the dog may be destroyed in an appropriate and humane manner or may be adopted by a responsible party. All fees as set forth herein may be paid directly to the Township official empowered to receive such fees.
A. 
Biting of person by dog or cat. When any dog or cat bites a person, the Township official may order the owner of the dog or cat to confine it, either on the owner's premises, or at any other reasonable location at the owner's sole cost and expense which the officer shall designate, for a period of not less than 10 days.
B. 
Examination of confined animal. The Animal Control Officer or officer of the County Department of Health or Township official shall have the right to examine any dog or cat confined under the provisions of Subsection A, herein at any time, including daily examinations for a period of 10 days after the dog or cat has attacked or bitten any person, to ascertain whether the animal shows signs or symptoms of rabies.
C. 
Release of animals confined. Following the passage of 10 days as required by Subsection A herein, any animal so quarantined shall be released, but only upon the issuance of a certificate of release which shall indicate that the animal appears to be healthy and free from rabies. Said certificate shall be maintained by the appropriate Township official, and a copy shall be provided to the owner and individual bitten by the animal upon its release.
Any person who keeps or maintains six or more dogs or operates or proposes to establish a kennel, a pet shop, a shelter or a pound shall apply to the Township Clerk, or other official designated by the Township Committee, for a license to operate such establishment. Said applicant shall comply with the applicable development regulations of the Township and N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.8. No property within the Township shall have or maintain six or more dogs of licensing age unless the property is licensed as a kennel, pet shop, shelter, or pound. The application shall describe the premises where the establishment is located or is proposed to be located and the purpose or purposes for which it is to be maintained, and shall be accompanied by the written approval of the Gloucester County Department of Health showing compliance with the local and state rules and regulations governing location of and sanitation at such establishments. All licenses issued for a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound shall state the purpose for which the establishment is maintained, and all such licenses shall expire on the last day of June of each year and be subject to revocation by the municipality on recommendations of the State Department of Health or the County Department of Health for failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the State Department or County Department governing the same, after the owner has been afforded a hearing by either the State Department or County Department. Any person holding such license shall not be required to secure individual licenses for dogs owned by such licensee and kept at such establishments; such licenses shall not be transferable to another owner or different premises.
The annual license fee for a kennel providing accommodations for 10 or less dogs shall be $10, and for more than 10 dogs, $25. The annual license fee for a pet shop shall be $10. No fee shall be charged for a shelter or pound.
No dogs kept in a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound shall be permitted off such premises except on a leash or in a crate or other safe control.
The Animal Control Officer, Township Clerk or other official designated by the Township Committee shall biennially cause a canvass to be made of all dogs owned, kept or harbored within the limits of the Township of Elk.
A. 
License fees received under the provisions of this article shall be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Township within 48 hours after collection or receipt and shall be placed in an account separate from any of the other accounts of the Township, which funds shall be used for the following purposes only: payment of the cost for providing animal care pursuant to a contract with an Animal Control Officer; for local prevention and control of rabies; for providing antirabies treatment under the direction of the County Board of Health for any person known or suspected to have been exposed to rabies; and for enforcing and administering the provisions of this article. Any unexpended balance remaining in such special account shall be retained therein until the end of the third fiscal year following and may be used for any of the purposes set forth in this section. At the end of the third fiscal year following and at the end of each fiscal year thereafter, there shall be transferred from such special account to the general funds of the Township any amount then in such account which is in excess of the total amount paid into said special account during the last two fiscal years next preceding.
B. 
The registration tag fee of $1 for each dog shall be forwarded to the State Department of Health within 30 days after collection by the Township Clerk or other official designated by the Township Committee.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to any male or female dog under the age of seven months.
[Amended 10-4-2018 by Ord. No. O-7-2018]
Any person who shall in any way hinder or interfere with the Township Official, Animal Control Officer, police officers or officials, constables, canvassers or any other peace officers in the performing of their duty under the provisions of this chapter, or who shall refuse to give information to any person making the canvass herein provided for, or who shall take a dog from the dog pound except upon redeeming such dog in the manner as provided by this article, or who shall break or injure such dog pound, shall be deemed to have violated the provisions of this chapter.