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:
[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.
[8]
§ 8:23A-1.9 Disease control.
[9]
§ 8:23A-1.10 Holding and receiving of animals.
[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.
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.