[Adopted 11-7-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-11]
Any property owner, occupant or tenant in Shamong Township having 15 or more adult dogs, defined as six months old or older, in their possession, licensed in their name, or housed on their property, shall immediately:
A. 
Register annually with the municipality by completing a registration form on file with the Township Clerk. Registrations shall expire annually.
B. 
Pay all license, registration, and inspection fees as follows:
(1) 
A license for every dog in accord with § 54-6;
(2) 
An overall registration fee for the administrative review of the operation requirements set forth herein in the amount of $250 per year;
(3) 
Inspection fees.
(a) 
Inspection fees for any physical inspections of the property and operation as follows. Second inspections would be the result of failure of the first inspection or any failures brought to light upon complaint:
[1] 
First inspection in calendar year: $250;
[2] 
Second inspection in calendar year: $375;
[3] 
Third inspection in calendar year and any additional inspections in that year thereafter: $500.
(b) 
If a complaint results in an inspection and no deficiencies are found, there will be no inspection fee for that inspection.
C. 
Comply with all of the following requirements and operational conditions:
(1) 
Conditions.
(a) 
An applicant for registration must be at least 18 years of age and must have no prior animal cruelty convictions on his or her record for the previous 10 years.
(b) 
An applicant for registration may have no history of a revoked or refused registration.
(2) 
Inspections.
(a) 
A registration shall be issued only after inspection by a licensed County Health Department Inspector, who may bring with him or her a Humane Law Enforcement Officer and/or Animal Control Officer.
(b) 
If unacceptable conditions are found at initial inspection, the applicant will have 30 days to correct the conditions and reapply. If the applicant fails the second preregistration inspection, no registration shall be issued.
(c) 
Inspections shall occur once a year, or upon a complaint.
(d) 
Regardless of whether any property owner, occupant or tenant applied for registration, if they may be in violation of this article, as determined by way of complaint or otherwise, the Township shall have the right to inspect.
(3) 
State regulations.
(a) 
Comply, at a minimum, with the requirements established under N.J.A.C. 8:23A-1.2 to 1.13, which include:
[1] 
§ 8:23A-1.2 Compliance.
[2] 
§ 8:23A-1.3 Facilities (general).
[3] 
§ 8:23A-1.4 Facilities (indoor).
[4] 
§ 8:23A-1.5 Facilities (outdoor).
[5] 
§ 8:23A-1.6 Primary enclosures.
[6] 
§ 8:23A-1.7 Feeding and watering.
[7] 
§ 8:23A-1.8 Sanitation.
[8] 
§ 8:23A-1.9 Disease control.
[9] 
§ 8:23A-1.10 Holding and receiving of animals.
[10] 
§ 8:23A-1.11 Euthanasia.
[11] 
§ 8:23A-1.12 Transportation.
[12] 
§ 8:23A-1.13 Records and administration.
(b) 
These incorporated regulations shall apply to any property owner, occupant or tenant in Shamong Township having 15 or more adult dogs, regardless of whether reference is made to a kennel, pet shop or other operation as defined by the state regulations. Where any regulations indicate a deviation may be permitted by contraindication by the supervising veterinarian, such must be evidenced in writing and available at the time of inspection.
(4) 
Comply with supplemental conditions as established by the Township, as follows:
(a) 
Recordkeeping. Immediately upon request by the Township, the following records must be available:
[1] 
Each registrant shall submit the total number of dogs housed, sold, traded, bartered, brokered, given away, or the like during the previous year.
[2] 
Each registrant shall keep a record of the method of acquisition and disposal for each dog (whether sold, deceased, given away or other methods) for at least three years.
[3] 
Each registrant shall keep a record of the veterinarian treatments performed on each dog for at least three years.
(b) 
Primary enclosures. Primary enclosures shall meet the following criteria:
[1] 
Enable adequate air flow and fresh air exchange. Provide shelter and protection from extreme temperatures and weather conditions that may be uncomfortable or hazardous to the dogs. Provide sufficient windbreaks, shade and covered shelter large enough to cover all the dogs housed in the primary enclosure at one time.
[2] 
All surfaces in contact with the dogs shall be constructed of a material that can be adequately cleaned and sanitized. Floors must protect the dogs' feet and legs from injury with only solid or wide-slatted flooring as described herein. Wire-strand flooring and gridded flooring prohibited.
[3] 
Enclosures shall not be stacked one on top of another nor suspended from the ceiling.
[4] 
There shall be at least one foot of headroom above the head of the tallest dog in the enclosure. There shall be at least 12 square feet of indoor space for each dog up to 25 inches long, at least 20 square feet of indoor space per each dog between 25 inches and 35 inches long, and at least 30 square feet of indoor floor space per each dog for dogs 35 inches and longer (with the length of the dog measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail).
[5] 
Dogs may not be exposed to extreme temperatures without adequate access to their housing or enclosure. In addition to the fifty-five-degree minimum in the state regulations, there shall also be an eighty-five-degree maximum temperature for all primary enclosures.
(c) 
Veterinary care. Veterinary care must meet the following criteria:
[1] 
The registrant shall provide a written medical program signed by a licensed veterinarian and proof of hands-on examination by a veterinarian for each dog at least once each year.
[2] 
Each dog shall be properly identified by a collar ID, cage card or microchip so that it can be matched with the appropriate, individualized veterinary records.
[3] 
Core vaccinations as recommended by the AVMA, including rabies vaccinations for all dogs over four months of age and vaccinations necessary to prevent common canine diseases such as Parvovirus. Medication necessary to prevent infestation by intestinal parasites.
[4] 
Euthanasia, surgical births, and other surgical procedures to be performed only by a licensed veterinarian.
(d) 
Breeding restrictions.
[1] 
Records of litters birthed are required to be maintained for a period of three years along with records of testing for genetic conditions.
[2] 
Females should not give birth to more than six litters in a lifetime.
[3] 
Offspring shall not be removed from the premises earlier than eight weeks of age except for medical reasons such as veterinary visits.
(e) 
Grooming and dental care. Grooming and dental care shall meet the following criteria:
[1] 
Grooming of fur and nails at least twice a year or more often as needed to prevent matting of fur and curling/overgrowth of nails.
[2] 
Annual oral examination with subsequent treatment of identified problems.
[3] 
Records of grooming and oral examination and treatment shall be maintained for three years.
(f) 
In the event of any discrepancy with these supplemental conditions and the state regulations incorporated in § 54-23C(3) above, the supplemental conditions shall apply.
A. 
Numbers. No more than a total of 25 dogs shall be kept, maintained or harbored at one time, for any length of time, in any residential housing unit or on its grounds or in any business establishment or on its grounds. This limitation shall not apply to a business established by way of use variance, preexisting nonconforming use certification, or similar land use approval as a commercial operation in the Regional Growth Area Zone.
B. 
Grace period. Those persons or properties who at the effective date of this article shall have in their possession animals exceeding the number of animals permitted in Subsection A shall have a period of 60 days to come into compliance. It is the intent of this section to bring those persons or properties, who on the effective date of this article have more than the permitted number of animals, into compliance with this section while ensuring that the animals can be placed in appropriate adoption facilities or homes.
This chapter does not confer any land use rights upon any property owner, occupant or tenant. Any property owner, occupant or tenant desiring to operate a commercial facility related to the ownership or housing of dogs must comply with the land use and zoning ordinances of the municipality. Nothing herein shall prevent a property owner, occupant or tenant, including but not limited to any kennel, breeder, pet shop, rescue organization, foster home, or the like, from pursuing approvals from the Shamong Township Joint Land Use Board by way of use variance or otherwise.
A. 
Any person, firm, corporation, association or legal party whatsoever who or which shall violate, or authorize or procure a violation, or cause to be violated, any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, General Penalty, § 1-15, governing general penalty provisions.
B. 
Any day that any property owner, occupant or tenant is in violation of this article shall constitute a separate offense.