[Ord. #715]
It is an objective of this Mayor and Council to protect the public safety from animal related nuisances and threats to public health, safety and welfare; and to provide for the humane treatment of animals. It has been determined that both objectives can be fostered by assuring that animal owners meet responsibilities for the control and care of their animals and pets.
[Ord. #715, S 1; Ord. #1993-23, S 1; Ord. #1995-15, S 1; Ord. #1998-04, S 1; Ord. #17-2009, S 1]
As used in this Chapter:
ANIMAL
shall mean any live, vertebrate creature, domestic or wild.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
shall mean a certified animal control officer who has completed a training course covering law enforcement methods and techniques and is authorized by the Borough and has successfully completed the training course promulgated pursuant to rules and regulations by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Said animal control officers duly authorized and permitted to enforce the animal cruelty statutes pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:22-1 et seq. The Animal Control Officer shall be duly appointed by resolution of the Mayor and Council to enforce the provisions of this Chapter, and provisions of P.L. 1997, Chapter 247 and P.L. 1996, Chapter 113.
ANIMAL SHELTER
shall mean any facility operated by a nonprofit humane agency, municipal agency, or any other authorized agent of the Borough for the purpose of impounding or caring for animals held under the authority of this Chapter or State Law.
ATTACK DOGS
shall mean any dog purchased, rented, or trained for the purpose of attacking intruders or other persons and capable of causing grievous or deadly injury to persons.
COMMERCIAL ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENTS
shall mean any pet shop, auction, circus, performing animal exhibition, or kennel.
DANGEROUS ANIMAL
shall mean any animal or invertebrate that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals.
DOG
shall mean any dog or dog hybrid.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL
shall mean any cat, dog, or livestock other than poultry.
EXOTIC MAMMAL, BIRD, REPTILE OR AMPHIBIAN
shall mean any nongame species of mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian not indigenous to New Jersey, as defined in N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.1.
KENNEL
shall mean any premises wherein any person engages in the business of boarding, breeding, buying, letting for hire, training for a fee, or selling dogs, cats, or other domesticated animals.
LICENSING AUTHORITY
shall mean Municipal Board of Health.
OWNER
shall mean any person owning, keeping, or harboring one or more animals. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for two (2) weeks or more.
PET
shall mean any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
PET SHOP
shall mean any place of business which sells animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, rabbits, hamsters, or gerbils, primarily for companionship.
POT BELLIED PIG
shall mean any miniature pot-bellied pig obtained as a domestic pet and kept for pleasure rather than utility. Said pot-bellied pig shall at no time exceed the weight of one hundred (100) pounds.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
shall mean any animal which:
a. 
Molests passers-by or passing vehicles;
b. 
Attacks other animals or persons;
c. 
Trespasses on school grounds;
d. 
Is repeatedly at large;
e. 
Damages private or public property;
f. 
Barks, whines, or howls in an excessive, continuous, or untimely fashion.
RESTRAINT
shall mean any animal secured by a leash or lead, or within the real property limits of its owner.
VICIOUS DOG
shall mean any dog or dog hybrid declared vicious by the Municipal Court Judge pursuant to this Chapter and N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 et seq.
WILD ANIMAL
shall mean those animals wild by nature, which because of habitat, mode of life or natural instinct, are not capable of being completely domesticated, and require the exercise of art, force or skill to keep them in subjection.
WILD CATS
shall mean any cat that is living outdoors, is untagged and has no apparent owner.
[Ord. #715, S 2; Ord. #809, S 1; Ord. #17-2009, S 2; Ord. #2013-22]
a. 
Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any dog six (6) months of age or older within this Borough is required each year to have the same registered with the Board of Health; there shall be attached to the collar of each dog the registration tag furnished by the Board of Health.
b. 
Application for a license must be made within thirty (30) days after obtaining a dog that is six (6) months of age or older, except that this requirement will not apply to a nonresident keeping a dog within the Borough for a period of not longer than sixty (60) days.
c. 
The license expires January 31 of each year and is subject to renewal thirty (30) days prior to this expiration date each year.
d. 
Cats will wear a tag identifying owner by name and address; tags will be provided by the cat owners; safety collars are advised. Cats over six (6) months of age will be inoculated for rabies in such a manner and with such frequency as to provide continuous protection against rabies.
e. 
Cats not wearing identification tags will be considered stray and wild animals and subject to impoundment as stated in Section 5-5 of this Chapter.
f. 
Fees
[Amended 9-28-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-08]
1 Year
3 Years
License
$10.80
$29.40
Registration
$1.00
$3.00
State of N.J. Neutering Program
$0.20
$0.60
Total Cost
$12.00
$33.00
Surcharge for Unneutered or Unspayed Dogs
$3.00
$9.00
Total Cost with Surcharge
$15.00
$42.00
g. 
A late fee in the amount of five ($5.00) dollars shall be due and payable to the Borough for each and every dog license renewed after the last day of January of each year.
h. 
Any person owning, keeping, harboring or having custody of any cats six (6) months of age or older within this Borough is required each year to have the same registered with the Board of Health. The registration tag furnished by the Board of Health shall be maintained by the owner and made available for presentation upon request.
i. 
Applications for a license for a cat must be made within thirty (30) days after obtaining the cat that is six (6) months of age or older, except that this requirement shall not apply to a nonresident keeping a cat within the Borough for a period of not longer than sixty (60) days.
j. 
Any person owning, keeping, harboring or having custody or any exotic mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian six (6) months of age or older within this Borough is required each year to have the same registered with the Board of Health. The registration tag furnished by the Board of Health shall be maintained by the owner and made available for presentation upon request.
k. 
Applications for a license for an exotic mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian must be made within thirty (30) days after obtaining the exotic animal that is six (6) months of age or older, except that this requirement shall not apply to a nonresident keeping an exotic animal within the Borough for a period of no longer than sixty (60) days.
l. 
A one (1) year license for cats and for exotic mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians shall be issued after payment of the applicable fees:
License (up to four (4) cats per household): $5.00
License (for each exotic animal): $5.00
m. 
A late charge in the amount of five ($5.00) dollars shall be due and payable to the Borough for each and every cat license renewed after the last day of January of each year.
[Amended 9-28-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-08]
[Ord. #1993-23, S 2]
a. 
Any person owning, keeping, harboring, or having custody of any domesticated miniature pot-bellied pig duly registered with a nationally recognized service and of at least six (6) months of age within this Borough is required each year to have the same registered with the local Board of Health. A photograph of said pot-bellied pig with any and all other required documentation must be presented to the Board of Health along with the applicable fee. A certificate of registration valid for that calendar year shall then be issued by the local Board of Health to the owner.
b. 
No pot-bellied pig shall be considered lawful or issued a license until such time as the local Board of Health has been presented with a certification from a licensed veterinarian that said animal has been neutered or spayed.
c. 
In order to obtain said license each owner must present proof of said pot-bellied pig having received any and all inoculations as may be required under the regulations of the State of New Jersey.
d. 
Application for a license must be made within thirty (30) days after obtaining a pot-bellied pig that is six (6) months of age or older, except that this requirement will not apply to a nonresident keeping a pot-bellied pig within the Borough for a period of not longer than sixty (60) days.
e. 
The license expires January 31 of each year and is subject to renewal thirty (30) days prior to this expiration date each year.
f. 
A one (1) year pot-bellied pig license shall be issued after payment of applicable fees:
License: $7.00
g. 
A late fee in the amount of five ($5.00) dollars shall be due and payable to the Borough for each pot-bellied pig license renewed after the last day of March of each year.
[Ord. #715, S 3; Ord. #1998-04, S 2]
a. 
No person shall operate a commercial animal establishment without first obtaining a permit in compliance with this section.
b. 
The permit shall begin on July 1 of each year and shall run for one (1) year. Renewal applications for permits shall be made thirty (30) days prior to, and up to thirty (30) days after July 1 of each year. Application for a permit to establish a commercial animal establishment under the provisions of this Chapter may be made at any time. For the permit year starting July 1, 1998 to June 30, 1999, for those commercial animal establishments which had previously complied with this Chapter and obtained a permit beginning on January 1, 1998, one-half (1/2) of the permit paid for the year beginning January 1, 1998 shall be credited toward the new permit which must be obtained so as to begin on July 1, 1998.
c. 
If there is a change in ownership of a commercial animal establishment, the new owner may have the current permit transferred to his name upon payment of a ten ($10.00) dollar transfer fee.
d. 
The annual license fee for a kennel providing accommodations for ten (10) or less dogs shall be ten ($10.00) dollars and for more than ten (10) dogs, twenty-five ($25.00) dollars. The annual license fee for other commercial animal establishments shall be ten ($10.00) dollars.
e. 
Prior to the issuance of any permits, the Borough Board of Health, in conjunction with the Office of Code Enforcement shall inspect the commercial animal establishment in order to determine that all requirements of this Chapter, and the appropriate Administrative Code Regulation, N.J.A.C. 8:23A-1.1 et seq. have been complied with.
[Ord. #715, S 4; Ord. #1993-23, S 3]
a. 
All dogs and pot-bellied pigs shall be kept under restraint.
b. 
Allowing or permitting any dog, cat or pot-bellied pig to run at large, or allowing or permitting any dog or cat to annoy other inhabitants of the Borough is declared to be a nuisance and violation of this Chapter.
c. 
Every dangerous animal or invertebrate, as determined by the Animal Control Officer, shall be confined by its owner within a building or secure enclosure and shall be securely muzzled or caged whenever off the premises of its owner.
d. 
No person shall keep or allow his dog or pot-bellied pig, or any such animal in his custody to be on the Public Beach of the Borough.
[Ord. #715, S 5; Ord #1993-23, S 4; Ord. #1995-15, S 3]
a. 
The Animal Control Officer of the Borough of Point Pleasant shall take into custody and impound or cause to be taken into custody and impounded the following:
1. 
Any dog running at large within the limits of the Borough of Point Pleasant.
2. 
Any dog not licensed or tagged as provided by this Chapter.
3. 
Any dog off the premises of the owner, or the person keeping or harboring the dog, when the Animal Control Officer shall have reason to believe is a stray dog.
4. 
Any dog with a vicious or dangerous propensity, or noticeably infected with rabies, or bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies.
5. 
Any female dog in season off the premises of the owner or person keeping or harboring such dog.
6. 
Any cats creating a nuisance while off the property of their owner, or person keeping or harboring the cat.
7. 
Any dog or other animal as authorized by the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:19-15.16.
b. 
In the event of a dog bite, the Animal Control Officer shall work directly under the Local Board of Health in all administrative and enforcement actions and in accordance with prescribed state statutes.
c. 
Any dog or cat so seized wearing a collar or harness having inscribed thereon or attached thereto the name and address of any person or a registration tag, or if the person keeping or harboring said dog or cat is known, the Animal Control Officer shall forthwith cause to be served upon the person whose address is given on the collar or on the owner or on the person keeping or harboring said dog or cat, if known, a notice in writing stating that the dog or cat has been seized and will become the subject of appropriate action in a manner approved by the Department of Health of the State of New Jersey if not claimed within seven (7) days after the service of the notice.
d. 
A notice under this section may be served either by delivering it to the person upon 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 his or her usual or last known place of abode or to the address given on the collar.
e. 
When any dog or cat so seized has been detained for seven (7) days after notice, when notice can be given as above set forth, or has been detained for seven (7) days after seizure, when no notice has been given as above set forth, and if the owner or person keeping or harboring said dog or cat has not claimed said dog or cat and not paid all expenses incurred by reason of its detention, which shall be not less than ten ($10.00) dollars, together with maintenance costs at the rate of five ($5.00) dollars per day, and if the dog is unlicensed at the time of the seizure produced a license and registration tag for said dog, the Animal Control Officer may take appropriate action in a manner approved by the Department of Health of the State of new Jersey and in accordance with the statutes of the State of New Jersey.
f. 
Fee schedule for the Borough of Point Pleasant animal control program (for animal shelter, euthanasia, burial):
Disposition
Service
Fee
Reclaimed
Administration fee
Board per day
$20.00
$ 5.00
Adopted
Administration fee
Board per day
$20.00
None
Quarantined
Administration fee
Board per day
$20.00
$ 5.00
Unwanted
Administration fee
Euthanasia fee
Burial
$25.00
$20.00
$30.00
Unwanted quarantined
Administration fee
Board per day
Euthanasia fee
Burial fee
$20.00
$ 5.00
$20.00
$30.00
Dead on arrival, if owned
Administration fee
Burial fee
$20.00
$30.00
Miscellaneous handling
Dipping
Bathing
Bathing/Dipping
$10.00
$10.00
$15.00
[Ord. #1995-15, S 4]
The Animal Control Officer engaged in the performance of any duty under this Chapter or the statutes of the State of New Jersey is hereby authorized to enter upon any premises to seize and impound any dog or cat, or dogs or cats, which he/she may lawfully seize or impound when such officer is in immediate pursuit of said dog or cat, or dogs or cats, except upon the premises of the owner of the dog or cat, if said owner is present and forbids the same.
[Ord. #1995-15, S 5]
It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder, molest or interfere with any one authorized or empowered to perform any duty under this Chapter or of the statutes of New Jersey.
[Ord. #715, S 6]
a. 
No owner shall fail to provide his animals with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, and with humane care and treatment.
b. 
No person shall ill-treat, torment, otherwise abuse an animal, or permit combat between animals.
c. 
Any owner that shall abandon an animal shall be subject to the penalties herein.
d. 
No person shall give away any live animal, reptile, or bird, except fish (permitted), as a prize for or as an inducement to enter any contest, games, or other competition, or as an inducement to enter a place of amusement; or offer such vertebrate as an incentive to enter into any business agreement whereby the offer was for the purpose of attracting trade.
e. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to place any known poisonous substance for the sole purpose of poisoning domestic or wild animals except rodents.
[Ord. #715, S 7; Ord. #773, S 1; Ord. #803, S 1; Ord. #1993-23, S 5]
a. 
No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any wild or dangerous animal for display or exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee. No person shall raise, keep, harbor or maintain any hogs, cows, sheep, goats or pigs, with the exception of a domestic pot-bellied pig as defined by this Chapter of the Borough Code, within the limits of the Borough.
b. 
No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild animals unless licensed by the State.
c. 
It shall be deemed unlawful, and a public nuisance, and a violation of this Chapter, for any person to keep or maintain more than four (4) dogs or cats, or a combination of dogs, cats or pot-bellied pigs in any property within the Borough of Point Pleasant. At no time shall a person keep or maintain more than one (1) pot-bellied pig in a property within the Borough of Point Pleasant. This section shall not apply to a litter of pups or kittens kept or maintained in or upon any property within six (6) calendar months of birth. This section shall also not be applicable to any commercial establishment or animal shelter licensed in accordance with Section 5-4 of this Chapter.
d. 
Persons having more than four (4) animals as of the date of the adoption of this section shall be allowed to keep a maximum of six (6) animals. However, the maximum number of animals such person shall be permitted to keep shall not exceed four (4) upon the death of animals being maintained or kept as of the date of the adoption of this section.
[Ord. #2011-15]
a. 
No person shall keep or permit to be kept on any premises within the Borough of Point Pleasant any turkey, chicken, quail, pheasant, peacock or hen except in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. No more than a total of twelve (12) birds, of which no more than one (1) shall be a rooster, shall be permitted to be maintained on any one (1) property. All birds shall have a license in accordance with Section 5-3.
b. 
All such animals shall be kept indoors, or if maintained outdoors, shall be kept at all times in a fenced enclosure within the rear yard of a property.
c. 
All animals kept outdoors shall be provided a coop facility for protection from the weather, which shall be maintained free of animal waste and odors, and shall be located in compliance with rear yard building setbacks for an accessory structure.
[Ord. #715, S 8]
All dogs must be curbed by the person so controlling same. The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his animal on public walks, recreation areas, or private property.
[Ord. #715, S 9; Ord. #1995-15, S 6, 7]
a. 
The Animal Control Officer shall immediately notify the Municipal Court Administrator, and the Municipal Health Officer that he/she has seized and impounded a dog pursuant to Section 5-6 of this Chapter, or that he/she has reasonable cause to believe that a dog has killed another domestic animal and that a hearing is required. The Animal Control Officer shall through a reasonable effort attempt to determine the identity of the owner of any dog seized and impounded pursuant to this Chapter or a statute of the State of New Jersey. If the owner cannot be identified within seven (7) days, that dog may be humanely destroyed.
b. 
The Animal Control Officer shall within three (3) working days of the determination of the identity of the owner of a dog seized and impounded pursuant to this Chapter notify the Municipal Court Administrator of the pertinent information regarding the animal and its owner so the Municipal Court may provide the appropriate notice or the Animal Control Officer may undertake the obligation of providing the appropriate notice by proceeding as follows: notify by certified mail, return receipt requested, the owner concerning the seizure and impoundment, and that, if the owner wishes, a hearing will be held to determine whether the impounded dog is vicious or potentially dangerous. This notice shall also require that the owner return within seven (7) days, by certified mail or hand delivery, a signed statement indicating whether he/she wishes the hearing to be conducted or, if not, to relinquish ownership of the dog, in which case the dog may be humanely destroyed. The owner shall also be notified that if he/she wishes the hearing to be conducted, he/she may obtain a medical evaluation of the dog which shall be completed within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice. If the owner cannot be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, or refuses to sign for a certified letter, or does not reply to the certified letter with a signed statement within seven (7) days of receipt, the dog may be humanely destroyed.
c. 
The Municipal Court shall declare the dog vicious if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog:
1. 
Killed a person or caused serious bodily injury to a person as defined in N.J.S. 2C:11-1(b); or
2. 
A dog shall not be declared vicious for inflicting death or serious bodily injury as defined in N.J.S. 2C11-1(b) upon a person if the dog was provoked. The Borough of Point Pleasant shall bear the burden of proof to demonstrate that the dog was not provoked; or
3. 
If the Municipal Court declares a dog to be vicious, and no appeal is made of this ruling pursuant to the Rules of Court, the dog shall be destroyed in a humane and expeditious manner, except that no dog may be destroyed during the pendency of an appeal.
d. 
1. 
The Municipal Court shall declare a dog to be potentially dangerous if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog:
(a) 
Caused bodily injury as defined in N.J.S. 2C:11-1(b) to a person during an unprovoked attack, and poses a serious threat of bodily injury or death to a person, or
(b) 
Killed another domestic animal, and
(1) 
Poses a serious threat of bodily injury or death to a person, or
(2) 
Poses a threat of death to another domestic animal, or
(c) 
Has been trained, tormented, badgered, baited or encouraged to engage in unprovoked attacks upon persons or domestic animals.
2. 
The Municipal Court shall not declare a dog to be potentially dangerous for:
(a) 
Causing bodily injury as defined in N.J.S. 2C:11-1(a) to a person if the dog was provoked, or
(b) 
Killing a domestic animal if the domestic animal was the aggressor.
For the purposes of paragraph (a) the Borough of Point Pleasant shall bear the burden of proof to demonstrate that the dog was not provoked.
3. 
If the Municipal Court declares the 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 own expense, to the Clerk of the Borough of Point Pleasant or Board of Health Office for a special license designating the dog as a potentially dangerous dog, and issuing a municipal registration number, and a red identification tag to be worn on the dog's collar. The owner shall at his 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, registration number and a red identification tag:
(2) 
To display, in a conspicuous manner, a sign on his premises warning that a potentially dangerous dog is on the premises. The sign shall be visible and legible from fifty (50') feet of the enclosure required by paragraph d,3(a)(3) of this section:
(3) 
To immediately erect and maintain an enclosure for 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 (6') feet in height separated by at least three (3') 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 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 (3') feet from the owner and under the direct supervision of the owner;
(4) 
The Municipal Court may order any other provision, control, or requirement that it deems equitable and just.
e. 
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Borough of Point Pleasant and the owner of a dog may settle and dispose of the matter at any time in such manner and according to such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Borough of Point Pleasant, or any of its employees, or agents shall not have any liability by virtue of entering into a settlement agreement pursuant to this section, or for any action or inaction related to the entry into such agreement, for any injuries or damages caused by the dog. As a condition of any settlement agreement the Borough of Point Pleasant shall require the owner of such dog to hold the Borough of Point Pleasant harmless for any damages, legal fees or expenses incurred by the Borough in defending against any cause of action brought against the Borough of Point Pleasant, its employees, or agents, notwithstanding the prohibition against such causes of action as set forth by New Jersey Statutes.
[Ord. #715, S 10; Ord. #91-30, S 1; Ord. #95-13, S 1; Ord. #1995-15, S 8]
Any person who shall violate provisions or subsections of this section shall be fined in accordance with the following schedule pertaining to the applicable subsection of this section:
a. 
Violations of any provision of this Chapter shall be punished, by a fine of not less than fifty ($50.00) dollars nor more than one thousand ($1,000.00) dollars. If any such violation is a continuing one, each day's violation shall be deemed a separate violation. If any person is found guilty by a court of violating Section 5-6, his permit to own, keep, harbor or have custody of animals shall be deemed automatically revoked and no new permit shall be issued by the Licensing Authority.
b. 
The owner of a potentially dangerous dog who is found by clear and convincing evidence to have violated this chapter or has been found to have violated an Order of the Municipal Court of the Borough of Point Pleasant, shall be subject to a fine of not more than one thousand ($1,000.00) dollars per day of the violation, and each day's continuance of the violation shall constitute a separate and distinct violation.
[Ord. #1999-05, S 1]
a. 
No person, whether as owner or an individual having care of or control of, shall bring or permit to be brought, or allow to run loose, any dog on any public school property or in any public school building located within the Borough of Point Pleasant, except as part of a theatrical production, or an activity specifically authorized by the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Schools, the Assistant Superintendent of Schools or any building principal.
b. 
Every public entrance onto school property shall be posted with a sign legibly lettered notifying the public that dogs are prohibited on the property or in the school building and shall further state that violations are subject to fine and punishment by a municipal ordinance. There shall be a minimum of four (4) signs posted at each school property under the ownership or control of the Point Pleasant Borough Board of Education.
c. 
The Superintendent of the School District, or persons designated by him/her, or any school principal, or persons designated by such school principal, or any other person having control of school property, or a police officer or other public servant engaged in his official duties, or any other citizen, may sign a complaint against any individual for a violation of the provisions of this section.
d. 
Upon the signing of the complaint as provided herein against a person under the age of eighteen (18), the Municipal Court shall subpoena the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) of the person charged to appear at the Municipal Court hearing.