The words hereinafter defined shall have the meanings herein
prescribed for the purposes of this article as follows:
ABANDONED ANIMAL
An animal of any age which has been left unattended, unclaimed,
unlicensed, or at large for a period of 72 hours or more.
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.
AT LARGE
An unrestrained 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.
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, partnership, corporation or other entity.
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).
PROPERTY
A block and lot with an occupied dwelling unit or dwelling
units on it.
SHELTER
An establishment for the confinement of dogs or cats seized
under the provisions of this article.
STRAY ANIMAL
An animal having no known owner or custodian or has no owner
information or identification attached.
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, Township Police Department
officer, Gloucester County Animal Control Officer, the Municipal Clerk,
or any other official or person assigned or designated by Mayor and
Council.
VICIOUS DOG
Any dog or dog 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 dog owner who shall suffer, allow or permit any licensed
or unlicensed dog to run at large without the tag as provided by law
shall be guilty of a violation of this article.
[Added 9-4-2018 by Ord.
No. 25-2018]
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.
No person shall hinder, molest, or interfere with anyone authorized
or empowered to perform any duty under this article.
Any officer or agent authorized or empowered to perform any
duty under this article is hereby authorized to go upon any premises
to seize for impounding any dog or cat which he may lawfully seize
or impound when such officer is in immediate pursuit of such cat or
dog, except upon the premises of the owner of the dog or cat if the
owner is present and forbids the same.
Any person appointed for this purpose by the Township Committee
shall cause a canvass to be made of all dogs and cats owned, kept
or harbored within the Township and shall report on or before September
1 of the year appointed to the Township Clerk and to the local Board
of Health, and to the State Department of Health the result thereof,
setting forth the names and addresses of persons owning, keeping or
harboring unlicensed dogs and cats, the number of unlicensed dogs
and cats owned, kept or harbored by each said person, together with
a complete description of each said unlicensed dog or cat and the
approximate age thereof.
Any person found to be in violation or found to have failed
to comply with any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction
thereof, be subject to a fine of not less than $100 and not more than
$2,000; or imprisoned for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both, in
the county jail. Each day of such violation or failure to comply shall
constitute a separate offense and, therefore, are not subject to merger
either for the purposes of the violation or imposition of fines and
penalties.