As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ANIMAL SHELTER
A public or private facility that:
A.
Has a physical structure that provides temporary shelter to
stray, abandoned, abused, or owner-surrendered animals; and
B.
Is operated, owned, or maintained by a society for the prevention
of cruelty to animals, humane society, pound, dog/animal control officer,
government entity, or contractor for a government entity.
IRREMEDIABLE PHYSICAL SUFFERING
An animal which has a poor or grave prognosis for being able
to live without severe, unremitting pain, as certified by a licensed
veterinarian.
KENNEL
Any establishment wherein or whereon the business of boarding
or selling dogs or breeding dogs for sale is carried on, except a
pet shop.
PET SHOP
Any room or group of rooms, cage or exhibition pen, not part
of a kennel, wherein pets for sale are kept or displayed.
RESCUE ORGANIZATION
An organization that is:
A.
An organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under 501(a) of that Code; and
B.
An animal rescue organization, animal adoption organization,
or organization formed for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
All persons are prohibited from permitting any animals belonging
to them or in their possession to run at large in any of the public
streets, parks or other open places in the Township. Service animals,
as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and animals engaged in police, fire, or other government-sanctioned
activities are exempt from this provision.
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer to impound
any animal or fowl which may be found running at large as provided
in the preceding section.
A. If the owner or person harboring any impounded animal does not pay
the fine so imposed upon them and the charges of keeping such animal
within seven days after the same is impounded, the impounded animal
becomes the property of the Township.
B. The notice referred to in this section may be served either by delivering
it to the person on whom it is to be served or by leaving it at that
person's usual or last-known place of abode or by forwarding it by
post in a prepaid letter addressed to that person at their usual or
last-known place of abode.
C. The required holding period for stray animals impounded by the animal
shelter shall be seven business days, not including the day of impoundment.
Animals shall be held for owner redemption during the first two days
of the holding period and shall be available for owner redemption,
transfer, and adoption for the remainder of the holding period, except
as follows:
(1) If an animal is impounded with identification or the shelter knows
who the owner is, the animal will be held for seven days for owner
redemption and shall be available for owner redemption, transfer,
and adoption for the remainder of the holding period.
(2) The requirements of this provision do not apply to cats impounded
for purposes of sterilization and then returned.
(3) At any time after impounding, shelters may transfer animals, except
animals arriving with identification or a known owner, to a nonprofit
rescue group, a private shelter, or an organization formed for the
prevention of cruelty to animals as long as potential owners are afforded
the same rights of reclamation as if the animal was still in the shelter.
The Township Council may establish by resolution a municipal
animal shelter.
[Amended 6-12-2023 by Ord. No. 23-27]
The animal shelter shall be subject to the supervision and control
of the Township Administrator.
A. The position of Animal Control Officer is hereby created.
B. The tasks of the Animal Control Officer shall be those defined by
the statement of typical tasks relating to the position as they appear
now or may hereafter be defined by the State Civil Service Commission
or the Township.
C. The Animal Control Officer shall be under the jurisdiction of the
Police Department.
D. The Animal Control Officer shall perform the foregoing and such other
duties in connection with the care, seizure and custody of animals
as may be assigned to them.
E. While the Animal Control Officer is performing their duties, they
shall wear the uniform prescribed to be worn and shall conspicuously
display identification on the outermost garment.
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer to receive,
properly house, and care for all animals brought to the animal shelter
by any authorized person. After receiving such animal, the Animal
Control Officer shall cause a short description of the animal to be
created, including source, the time of bringing the same to the animal
shelter and recorded in accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:23A-1.13. All information
recorded will be in accordance with state requirements. The Animal
Control Officer will also be responsible for receiving or picking
up injured wildlife and bringing it to a licensed rehabilitation center
or a veterinarian.
A. No person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge of any dog or cat shall cause, suffer or allow such dog or cat to soil, defile, defecate on or commit any nuisance on any common thoroughfare, sidewalk, passageway, bypath, play area, park or any place where people congregate or walk or upon any public property (except under provisions of §
134-27(B) or upon any private property without the permission of the owner of such property.
B. Any person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge of any dog or
cat which soils, defiles, defecates on or commits any nuisance on
any common thoroughfare, sidewalk, passageway, bypath, play area,
park 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 such property shall immediately remove all feces deposited
by such dog or cat by any sanitary method approved by the local health
authority.
C. The feces removed from the aforementioned designated areas shall
be disposed of by the person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge
of any such dog or cat, in accordance with the provisions of this
section, in a sanitary manner approved by the local health authority.
D. No person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge of any dog or cat
shall be permitted to keep any such dog or cat on any common thoroughfare,
sidewalk, passageway, bypath, play area, park or any place within
the Township of Bloomfield where people congregate upon public property
of any common thoroughfare for the purpose of any public event or
festivity within the Township of Bloomfield. This subsection shall
not apply to service animals, animals displayed at any public event
by the municipal animal shelter or animal rescue groups displayed
for the purpose of finding such animals a suitable home or to entertainment
groups who are invited that utilize animals for entertainment purposes.
E. The provisions of this section shall not apply to blind persons who
may use dogs as guides.
No person owning, keeping or harboring a dog or cat shall permit
or suffer it to do any injury or to do any damage to any lawn, shrubbery,
flowers, grounds or property.
It shall be unlawful for any dog or cat, whether licensed or
not, to run at large within the Township. A dog or cat shall be deemed
to be running at large when off the premises of its owner or of the
person keeping or harboring such dog or cat, which dog or cat is not
on a leash, tether, chain, rope or the like, the overall length of
which, including the hand grip, shall not exceed six feet, held by
its owner or other person able to control such dog or cat.
A. Any dog or cat which has attacked or bitten any human being or which
habitually attacks other dogs or cats or domestic animals is hereby
defined to be a "vicious dog or cat" for the purposes of this section.
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer to receive and
investigate complaints against dogs or cats and, when any dog or cat
complained against shall be deemed by such Animal Control Officer
to be a vicious dog or cat, as herein defined, the officer shall report
the facts to the recorder of the Township, who shall thereupon cause
the owner or person harboring such dog or cat to be notified, in writing,
of the complaint against such dog or cat and to appear before the
Judge at a stated time and place.
B. The Judge, at the time set for such hearing, shall inquire into the
facts and give all interested persons an opportunity to be heard,
under oath, and to be represented by counsel, and the Judge shall
decide that such dog or cat complained of is a vicious dog or cat
as defined by this section; notice of such decision shall be given
to the owner or person harboring such dog or cat.
C. No dog or cat which has been so determined to be a vicious dog or
cat shall be permitted to run at large or be upon any street or public
place in the Township, except while securely muzzled and under leash,
as provided in this article, and the owner or person harboring any
such vicious dog or cat who shall suffer or permit such dog or cat
to run at large or be upon any street or public place in the Township
while not securely muzzled and under leash shall be guilty of a violation
of this article.
Any dog or cat which bites a person shall immediately be impounded
and kept under observation at a place designated by the Animal Control
Officer for a period of 10 days from the date of such biting in order
to ascertain whether such dog or cat is suffering from rabies. All
reasonable expense in connection with such impoundment shall be paid
by the owner or person in charge of such dog or cat before such dog
or cat is released. If any such dog or cat is not claimed and the
expenses paid at the expiration of 10 days, the dog or cat may be
professionally evaluated and thereafter may be put up for adoption
(if not declared by court order to be dangerous), sent to sanctuary,
or humanely euthanized.
The Animal Control Officer of the Township shall take into custody
and impound or cause to be taken into custody and impounded and thereafter
adopted or euthanized (depending on health or temperament), as provided
in this article:
A. Any dog or cat off the premises of the owner or of the person keeping
or harboring the dog or cat which the Officer or their agent has reason
to believe is a stray dog or cat. Any dog or cat off the premises
of the owner or of the person keeping or harboring the dog or cat
without a current registration tag on its collar.
B. Any female dog or cat in season off the premises of the owner or
of the person keeping or harboring the dog or cat.
A. If any dog or cat so seized wears a collar or harness having inscribed
thereon or attached thereto the name and address of any person or
a registration tag, or the animal is wanded and a chip is found registered
to the owner, or the owner or the person keeping or harboring the
dog or cat is otherwise known, the Animal Control Officer shall forthwith
serve on the person whose address is given on the collar or on the
owner or the person keeping or harboring the dog or cat, if known,
a notice, in writing, stating that the dog or cat has been seized
and will be liable to be adopted or euthanized depending on health
or temperament, if not claimed within seven days after the service
of the notice.
B. A notice under this section may be served either by delivering it
to the 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
collar or by forwarding it by post in a prepaid letter addressed to
that person at their usual or last-known place of abode or to the
address on the collar.
C. Abandonment. A summons will be served by the Animal Control Officer
if the ownership is clear and the owners refuse to acknowledge it
is their pet.
D. Every animal shelter shall maintain continuously updated lists of
animals reported lost and found, and shall regularly check these lists
and animals in the shelter for matches, and shall also post a photograph
of and information on each stray animal impounded by the shelter on
the Internet with sufficient detail to allow the animal to be recognized
and claimed by its owner.
A. An animal shelter shall provide all animals during the entirety of
their shelter stay with fresh food; fresh water; environmental enrichment
to promote their psychological well-being such as socialization, toys
and treats; and exercise as needed; however, never less than once
daily, except that dogs exhibiting vicious behavior towards people
or adjudged to be dangerous by a court of competent jurisdiction may
but are not required to be exercised during the holding period.
B. Notwithstanding Subsection
A, the shelter shall work with a licensed veterinarian to develop and follow a care protocol for animals with special needs such as, but not limited to, nursing mothers, unweaned animals, sick or injured animals, extremely frightened animals, geriatric animals, or animals needing therapeutic exercise. This care protocol shall specify any deviation from the standard requirements of Subsection
A and the reasons for the deviation(s).
C. During the entirety of their shelter stay, animals shall be provided
prompt and necessary cleaning of their cages, kennels, or other living
environments no less than two times per day, to ensure environments
that are welcoming to the public, hygienic for both the public and
animals, and to prevent disease. This cleaning shall be conducted
in accordance with a protocol developed in coordination with a licensed
veterinarian, and shall require that animals be temporarily removed
from their cages, kennels, or other living environments during the
process of cleaning, to prevent them from being exposed to water from
hoses or sprays, cleaning solutions, detergents, solvents, and/or
chemicals.
D. During the entirety of their shelter stay, all animals shall be provided
with prompt and necessary veterinary care, including but not limited
to preventative vaccinations, cage rest, fluid therapy, pain management,
and/or antibiotics, sufficient to alleviate any pain caused by disease
or injury, to prevent a condition from worsening, and to allow them
to leave the shelter in reasonable condition.
Animals may be euthanized by a veterinarian in a manner causing
as little pain as possible and consistent with the provisions of N.J.S.A.
4:22-19 or offered for adoption seven days after seizure, provided
that:
A. Notice is given as set forth above and the animal remains unclaimed;
B. The owner or person keeping or harboring the animal has not claimed
the animal and paid all expenses incurred by reason of its detention,
including maintenance costs; or
C. The owner or person keeping or harboring an animal which was unlicensed
at the time of seizure does not produce a license and registration
tag for the animal;
D. Before the euthanasia of any animal, a reasonable attempt should
be made to contact accredited sanctuaries or rescues to determine
whether a better option is available based on the animal's evaluation
and medical history. However, it may be determined by a licensed veterinarian
that euthanasia is the most humane option due to quality of life.
E. Exclusions. Subsection
D shall not apply to:
(1) An animal suspected to carry and exhibiting signs of rabies, as determined
by a licensed veterinarian;
(2) A dog that, after physically attacking a person, has been determined
by a court having competent jurisdiction to be dangerous pursuant
to state law;
(3) An animal experiencing irremediable physical suffering; or
(4) An animal that is not adoptable to the general public due to advanced
age and serious chronic or untreatable health problems.
(5) Any animal that has been determined to be unadoptable by virtue of
its temperament, as determined by a licensed veterinarian/animal evaluator.
F. The animal shelter shall not euthanize or cause to be euthanized
any animal simply because the animal's holding period has expired.
G. A report will be filed with the animal's records detailing reasons
for euthanization and will be kept on file for one year or as otherwise
stipulated by N.J.A.C. 8:23A-1.13.
H. Animals impounded by the animal shelter shall be euthanized, only
when necessary and consistent with the requirements of this chapter,
by lethal intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbital, except as
follows:
(1) Intraperitoneal injections may be used only under the direction of
a licensed veterinarian, and only when intravenous injection is not
possible for infant animals, companion animals other than cats and
dogs, or in comatose animals with depressed vascular function.
(2) Intracardiac injections may be used only when intravenous injection
is not possible for animals who are completely unconscious or comatose,
and then only by a licensed veterinarian and in accordance with N.J.A.C.
8:23A-1.11(c).
(a)
No animal shall be allowed to witness any other animal being
killed or being tranquilized or sedated for the purpose of being killed
or to see the bodies of animals which have already been killed.
(b)
Animals shall be sedated or tranquilized before being killed
as necessary to minimize their stress or discomfort, or in the case
of vicious animals, to ensure staff safety, except that neuromuscular
blocking agents shall not be used.
(c)
Following their lethal injection, animals shall be lowered to
the surface on which they are being held and shall not be permitted
to drop or otherwise collapse without support.
(d)
An animal may not be left unattended between the time procedures
to kill the animal are commenced and the time death occurs, nor may
the animal's body be disposed of until death is verified.
(e)
Verification of death shall be confirmed for each animal in
all of the following ways:
[1]
By lack of heartbeat, verified by a stethoscope;
[2]
By lack of respiration, verified by observation;
[3]
By pale, bluish gums and tongue, verified by observation; and
[4]
By lack of eye response, verified if lid does not blink when
eye is touched and pupil remains dilated when a light is shined on
it.
(f)
The room in which animals are euthanized shall be cleaned and
regularly disinfected as necessary, but not less than once per day
on days the room is used, except the specific area in the room where
the procedure is performed shall be cleaned and disinfected between
each procedure.
(g)
The room in which animals are euthanized shall have adequate
ventilation that prevents the accumulation of odors.
(h)
No one other than a licensed veterinarian or a euthanasia technician
certified by the state euthanasia certification program shall perform
the procedures referenced in this section except as otherwise noted.
I. When necessary, wildlife shall be euthanized in accordance with New
Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
J. Under circumstances determined by a licensed veterinarian, euthanasia
may be performed in the interest of the animal's well-being.
At the time of adoption, the right of ownership of the animal
shall transfer to the new owner. No cat or other animal caught and
detained or procured, obtained, sent or brought to a pound or shelter
shall be sold or otherwise made available for the purpose of experimentation.
Any person who sells or otherwise makes available any such cat or
other animal for the purpose of experimentation shall be guilty of
a disorderly person's offense.
A. The animal shelter shall report to the Department of Health and Human
Services an annual summary which includes the following information
by species type:
(1) The number of animals impounded during the previous calendar year;
(2) The number of animals who were killed by the animal shelter, at the
animal shelter's direction, with the animal shelter's permission,
and/or by a representative of the animal shelter during the previous
calendar year;
(3) The number of animals who died, were lost, and/or were stolen while
in the direct or constructive care of such agency during the previous
calendar year;
(4) The number of animals who were returned to their owners during the
previous calendar year;
(5) The number of animals who were adopted during the previous calendar
year;
(6) The number of animals who were transferred to other organizations
during the previous calendar year;
(7) The number of animals transferred to other organizations that are
located more than 20 miles from the originating shelter;
(8) The number of animals who were on hand at the start of the year;
(9) The number of animals who were on hand at the end of the year.
Service fees shall be as follows: (For extenuating circumstances,
the Police Liaison has the authority to adjust individual fees and
will provide a report to the Finance Department.)
A. Surrender fees:
(1) Dog or cat (including puppies and kittens): $100.
B. Adoption fees:
(3) Adult cats one year and older: $50.
(4) Senior or special needs animals: 50% fee reduction.
(5) Special adoption fees programs: variable with permission of Police
Liaison.
C. Redemption fees for animals at large captured:
(1) During normal shelter business hours: $60.
(2) After normal business hours $160.
(3) Second offense in same twelve-month period: $100. Third offense:
$200.
D. Animal holding fee:
(1) Days one through seven, each day: $10.
(2) Days eight and up, each day: $20.
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 they may lawfully seize
and impound when such officer is in immediate pursuit of such dog
or cat, except upon the premises of the owner of the dog or cat if
the owner is present and forbids the same.
No person shall hinder, molest or interfere with anyone authorized
or empowered to perform any duty under this article.
After observation, any animal seized under this article suspected
of being rabid shall be immediately reported to the Health Officer.
The shelter shall not ban, bar, limit or otherwise obstruct
the adoption or transfer of any animal based on breed, breed mix,
species, age, color, appearance or size.
A. Any person who keeps or operates or proposes to establish a kennel,
a pet shop, a shelter or a pound, or to breed animals, shall apply
to the Health Officer for a license entitling them to keep or operate
such establishment.
B. The application for a license required by Subsection
A above shall describe the premises where the establishment is located or is proposed to be located and the purpose for which it is to be maintained and shall be accompanied by the written approval of the Health Officer of the Township, showing compliance with the local and state rules and regulations governing location of and sanitation at such establishments.
C. 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 January of the following
year.
D. The Township Council may, in its discretion, refuse to issue a license to any person to conduct any of the businesses described in Subsection
A above in any place in the Township where, in the judgment of the Township Council, the existence or conduct of such business will be detrimental or injurious to the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
E. Any person holding such license shall not be required to secure individual
licenses for dogs owned by such licensee and kept at such establishment.
F. Such license shall not be transferable to another owner or different
premises.
The annual license fee for a kennel providing accommodations
for 10 or fewer dogs shall be $75, and for more than 10 dogs, the
fee shall be $125. The annual license fee for a pet shop shall be
$50. No fee shall be charged for a shelter or pound.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale, barter
or give away rabbits, baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl as pets
or novelties.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale or
for any person to permit to be sold or offered for sale, within their
place of business within the limits of the Township, live rabbits,
baby chickens or other domestic fowl less than three weeks of age
in lots of less than six to a single sale.
C. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the sale of rabbits,
chicks or other domestic fowl in proper brooder facilities by hatcheries
or stores engaged in the business of selling the same to be raised
for commercial purposes.
[Added 12-11-2023 by Ord. No. 23-63]
A. Purpose: to establish requirements for the proper disposal of pet
solid waste in the Township of Bloomfield, so as to protect public
health, safety, and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for failure
to comply.
B. Definitions: for the purpose of this section, 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 consistent 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.
IMMEDIATE
That the pet solid waste is removed at once, without delay.
OWNER/KEEPER
Any person who shall possess, maintain, house or harbor any
pet or otherwise have custody 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
authority.
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.
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.
C. Requirement for disposal: All pet owners and keepers are required
to immediately and properly dispose of their pet's solid waste
deposited on any property, public or private, not owned or possessed
by that person.
D. Exemptions: Any owner or keeper who requires the use of a disability
assistance animal shall be exempt from the provisions of this section
while such animal is being used for that purpose.
[Added 12-11-2023 by Ord. No. 23-64]
A. Purpose: To prohibit the feeding of unconfined wildlife in any public
park or on any other property owned or operated by the Township of
Bloomfield (the Township) so as to protect public health, safety and
welfare, and to prescribe penalties for failure to comply. Feeding
of wildlife such as aquatic fish and waterfowl can lead to an overpopulation
along stream banks and ponds. Overpopulation will result in an increase
of animal droppings, fish kills and disease when human food is not
appropriate to a species. This ultimately leads to excessive pollution
in the waterway including large accumulation of fecal coliform and
potentially diseased wildlife carcasses that degrade the quality of
the Township's streams and ponds.
B. Definitions: For the purpose of this section, 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 consistent 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.
FEED
To give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any
edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing
wildlife, Feeding does not include baiting in the legal taking of
fish and/or game.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm,
association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal
jurisdiction.
WILDLIFE
All animals that are neither human nor domesticated. Wildlife
shall include, but not be limited to, waterfowl, migratory birds,
aquatic wildlife, such as fish, turtles and amphibians.
C. Prohibited conduct:
(1)
No person shall feed, in any public park or on any other property
owned or operated by the Township, any wildlife, excluding confined
wildlife (for example, wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation
centers, or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers,
or feral cats as part of an approved trap-neuter-release program).
(2)
It shall be unlawful for any reason to feed any migratory or
resident waterfowl or wildlife on any private or public land within
the Township.
(3)
It shall be unlawful to create any condition or allow any condition
to exist which results in a congregation or congestion of migratory
or resident waterfowl or wildlife within the Township which:
(a)
Results in an accumulation of feces or droppings;
(b)
Results in damage to flora, fauna or private or public property;
(c)
Results in a threat or nuisance to the public health, safety,
or welfare; or
(d)
Results in a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of said
migratory or resident waterfowl or wildlife.
(4)
This section shall not be applicable to residential bird feeders.
D. Enforcement:
(1)
Any person found to be in violation of this section shall be
ordered to cease the feeding immediately.
(2)
Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalty as provided in §
1-15, General penalty, of this code.
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalty as provided in §
1-15, General penalty, of this Code.