Editor's Note: For municipal authority to regulate or
restrict the running at large of dogs, see N.J.S.A. 40:48-1.
For State statutes relating to licensing, tagging, impounding,
destruction or disposal of dogs and licensing, keeping and operating
of kennels, pet shops and the like, see N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.1 et seq.
License fees, registration tag fees and certain costs and expenses
incurred for the detention and maintenance of dogs, collected pursuant
to this chapter, and fines are turned over and disposed of in accordance
with and as provided by law. See N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.11 and 4:19-15.20.
See also Lamanna v. Kennedy, 130 N.J.L. 223, 32 A 2d 446 (Sup. Ct.
1943); Blakely v. Moorestown, 3 N.J. Super, 518, 67 A. 2d 330 (Law
Div. 1949).
Subsection 2-20.2b3 provides that the Division of Health, within the Department of Health and Welfare, shall administer any dog ordinances of the Township.
[1974 Code § 6-1; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
As used in this chapter:
Shall mean all cats over the age of six (6) months.
Shall mean any male or female dog, bitch or spayed bitch.
Shall mean any dog which has attained the age of seven (7)
months or which possesses a set of permanent teeth, whichever comes
sooner.
Shall mean any dog, cat or livestock other than poultry.
When applied to the proprietorship of a dog, cat or other
domestic animal, shall mean every person having a right of property
in such dog, cat or other domestic animal and every person who harbors
or has such dog, cat or domestic animal in his keeping.
Shall mean any dog or dog hybrid declared potentially dangerous
by a municipal court pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-23.
Applies to any dog, cat or domestic animal not being physically
restrained by the owner which is off and not on the premises of the
owner.
Shall mean any dog or dog hybrid declared vicious by a municipal
court pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-22.
[1974 Code § 6-2; Ord. #99-75 § 1; Ord.
#07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
a.
Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a dog of licensing age in
the Township shall, in the month of January in each year, apply for
and procure from the Department of Health and Human Services a license
and official metal registration tag for each such dog so owned, kept
or harbored and shall place upon each such dog a collar or harness
with the registration tag securely fastened thereto.
b.
No license and official metal registration tag for any dog shall
be granted unless the owner thereof provides evidence that such dog
has been inoculated with a rabies vaccine in accord with N.J.S.A.
4:19-15.2a and N.J.A.C. 8:23A-4.1. Said rabies vaccine must be valid
through November of the licensing year.
c.
No more than five (5) dog licenses shall be issued to any residential
household.
[1974 Code § 6-3; New; Ord. #07-82]
The owner of any newly acquired dog of licensing age or of any
dog which attains licensing age within ten (10) days after such acquisition
or licensing age attainment shall be required to obtain a license
and registration tag for each such dog.
[1974 Code § 6-4; Ord. #07-82]
[1974 Code § 6-5; Ord. #07-82]
a.
Any person who shall bring or cause to be brought into the Township
any dog licensed in another State for the current year and bearing
a registration tag and who shall keep the same or permit the same
to be kept within the Township for a period of more than ninety (90)
days shall immediately apply for a license and registration tag for
each such dog.
b.
Any person who shall bring or cause to be brought into the Township
any unlicensed dog of licensing age and who shall keep the same or
permit the same to be kept within the Township for a period of more
than ten (10) days shall immediately thereafter apply for a license
and registration tag for each such dog.
[1974 Code § 6-6; Dec. 16, 1975; Ord. #79-31; Ord.
#81-77; Ord. #83-34; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #07-82; Ord. #08-90; Ord. #13-61
§ 9; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
a.
License and Registration Tag Fees.
1.
The person applying for the license and registration tag shall pay
to the Department of Health and Human Services a fee for the licensing
of each dog, as follows:
|
Type
|
Fee
|
|---|---|
|
Local registration fee
|
$13.80
|
|
State registration fee
|
$1.20
|
|
Unaltered dog of reproductive age (if applicable)
|
$3.00
|
|
______
| |
|
Total
|
$18.00
|
2.
The fee shall be for each annual renewal. The fee for the license
and for the registration tag shall be the same as for the original
license and tag. The licenses, registration tags and renewals thereof
shall expire annually on January 31. No blank tags will be issued.
3.
A late fee of three ($3.00) dollars will be charged after March 1
of each year for any dog over six (6) months of age that requires
a registration tag as per the above.
4.
Dogs used as guides for blind persons and commonly known as "seeing
eye" dogs, dogs used to assist handicapped persons commonly known
as "service dogs" or dogs used to assist deaf persons and commonly
known as "hearing ear" dogs shall be licensed and registered as other
dogs herein above provided for, except that the owner of such dog
shall not be required to pay any fee therefor.
5.
Seniors, age sixty-five (65) or older shall pay a reduced yearly
"Local Registration Fee" of five dollars and eighty ($5.80) cents.
The State registration fee and unaltered fee and late fee shall remain
as stated in paragraphs 1 and 3 above.
[1974 Code § 6-7; Ord. #07-82]
a.
License fees, redemption fees and other moneys collected or received
under the provisions of this chapter, except registration tag fees,
shall be forwarded to the Municipal Comptroller within thirty (30)
days after collection or receipt.
b.
Such fees and other moneys shall be placed in a separate account
from any of the other accounts of the Township and shall be used only
for the purposes permitted by N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.11.
c.
The registration tag fees shall be forwarded by the Township Clerk,
within thirty (30) days after collection, to the State Department
of Health, as prescribed by N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.11.
[1974 Code § 6-8; Ord. #07-82]
The Department of Health and Human Services of the Township
shall make a canvass of all dogs in the Township biennially and make
reports thereof as required by N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.15.
[1974 Code § 6-9; Ord. #07-82]
No person, except an officer in the performance of his duties,
shall remove a registration tag from the collar of any dog without
the consent of the owner, nor shall any person attach a registration
tag to a dog for which it was not issued.
[Ord. #07-82]
If a license tag has been misplaced or lost the licensing authority
may issue a duplicate license and/or registration sleeve for that
particular dog at a fee of five ($5.00) dollars.
[Ord. #07-82]
a.
No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain any dog over seven
(7) months of age within the Township unless the dog is vaccinated
and licensed. The provisions of this section do not apply to dogs
held in a kennel, or those held by a State or Federal licensed research
facility or a veterinary establishment where dogs are received or
kept for diagnostic, medical, surgical, or other treatments or licensed
animal shelters, pounds, kennels or pet shops.
b.
Vaccination. All dogs shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with the latest "Compendium of Animal Rabies Vaccines and Recommendations for Immunization" published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, except as provided for in Subsection d below.
c.
Vaccination Certificate. A certificate of vaccination shall be issued
to the owner of each animal vaccinated on a form recommended by the
State.
d.
Exemptions. Any dog may be exempted from the requirements of such
vaccination for a specified period of time by the Director of the
Department of Health and Human Services upon presentation of a veterinarian's
certificate stating that because of an infirmity or other physical
condition, or regimen of therapy, the inoculation of the dog shall
be deemed inadvisable.
[1974 Code § 6-51; Ord. #84-59 § I; Ord.
#07-82]
As used in this section:
Shall mean any dog or canine trained to attack persons entering
an area except for the trainer of such guard dog or canine.
Shall mean any dog or canine trained to attack a person at
the command or instruction of a trainer.
Shall mean any person who trains or owns an attack or guard
dog from whom an attack or guard dog takes commands or instructions.
[1974 Code § 6-52; Ord. #84-59 § I; Ord.
#02-51; Ord. #07-82]
a.
All persons owning or controlling an attack or guard dog on premises
within the Township shall file with the Director of Health a certificate
of registration which shall set forth therein the name of the owners
and persons in control of such premises and the street address thereof.
The registration shall occur within seventy-two (72) hours from the
time the dog is brought to the premises. For registering the guard
or attack dog and issuing a duplicate thereof, the Director of Health
shall receive a fee of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars for each dog so
registered.
b.
The Director of Health or his designee shall notify the Police Department,
the Board of Fire Commissioners, each fire company and each first
aid squad servicing the municipality or any part thereof of the fact
that an animal has been registered under the provisions of this section.
c.
All persons owning or controlling an attack or guard dog shall also
secure from the Department of Health and Human Services, a tag indicating
that the animal is registered as an attack or guard dog. The tag shall
not be issued by the Department of Health and Human Services unless
the person owning or controlling the attack or guard dog shall furnish
proof that the animal has been inoculated with the rabies vaccine
and has been registered with the Director of Health.
d.
Failure to register the attack or guard dog and to secure the tag
and to have the tag securely fastened to the animal shall be a violation
of this section.
[1974 Code § 6-53; Ord. #84-59 § I; Ord.
#02-51; Ord. #07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
a.
It shall
be unlawful for any guard or security service to have upon any premises
within the Township any guard or attack dog unless:
1.
The guard
or attack dog has been registered with the Director of Health and
has secured a registration tag as provided for by this section; and
2.
The guard
or security service has maintained a telephone number to which a call
may be placed to a responsible person of the service twenty-four (24)
hours per day.
b.
If a guard
dog or attack dog escapes from any premises upon which it is maintained,
or otherwise escapes from the control of the owner, or other person
in control, if not the owner, the owner or other person in control
of said guard dog or attack dog shall immediately notify the Township
Police Department of the escape.
[1974 Code § 6-54; Ord. #84-59 § I; Ord.
#07-82]
a.
The owner, or other persons in control if not the owner, of all premises
upon which attack or guard dogs are maintained, shall post signs stating
"Warning: Attack or Guard Dog On Premises."
b.
If attack or guard dogs on the premises are owned or maintained thereon by any guard or security service, in addition to the signs required by Subsection a above, the following information shall be posted: name of the service; address of the service; telephone number at which a responsible party of the service can be reached; and name and address of owner or person in control of the premises. Nothing herein shall be construed so as to prevent the sign required by this subsection to be a single sign provided all the information by paragraphs a and b are contained therein.
c.
All signs required by this section shall be posted on, over or next
to all exterior doors, and at least one (1) such sign shall be posted
at each driveway or entrance to the premises.
d.
All signs required by this section shall contain lettering clearly
visible from the lesser of the curbline or fifty (50) feet and shall
also be illuminated so as to be visible at night.
[1974 Code § 6-55; Ord. #84-59, § I;
Ord. #07-82]
b.
Each day that a guard or attack dog is maintained upon any premises
in the Township without registration and/or tag shall constitute a
separate offense.
c.
Each day that a sign required by this section is not maintained shall
constitute a separate offense.
d.
Notwithstanding the penalties hereinabove provided for the violation
of this section, the Township shall be entitled to pursue any other
remedies available at law or equity to enforce the provisions hereof.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-56; Ord. #07-82]
As used in this section:
Shall mean the Health Officer and his designee or any person
or agency designated or certified by the State of New Jersey to enforce
the provisions of this section.
Shall mean any member of the domestic feline species, male,
female or altered.
Shall mean any cat which has attained the age of seven (7)
months, or which possesses a set of permanent teeth, whichever comes
sooner.
Shall mean any room or group of rooms, cage or exhibition
pen, not part of a kennel, wherein cats for sale are kept or displayed.
Shall mean the Woodbridge Township Department of Health and
Human Services or any designated representative thereof charged with
administering the issuance and/or revocation of permits and licenses
under the provisions of this section.
Shall mean a cat rendered permanently incapable of reproduction
as certified by a licensed veterinarian.
When applied to the proprietorship of a dog, cat or other
domestic animal, shall mean every person having a right of property
in such dog, cat or other domestic animal and every person who harbors
or has such dog, cat or other domestic animal in his keeping.
Shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, organization,
or institution commonly recognized by law as a unit.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-57; Ord. #07-82]
a.
No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain any cat over seven
(7) months of age within the Township unless the cat is vaccinated
and licensed. The provisions of this section do not apply to cats
held in a cattery, or those held by a State or Federal licensed research
facility or a veterinary establishment where cats are received or
kept for diagnostic, medical, surgical, or other treatments or licensed
animal shelters, pounds, kennels or pet shops.
b.
Vaccination. All cats shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with the latest "Compendium of Animal Rabies Vaccines and Recommendations for Immunization" published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, except as provided for in Subsection d below.
c.
Vaccination Certificate. A certificate of vaccination shall be issued
to the owner of each animal vaccinated on a form recommended by the
State.
d.
Exemptions. Any cat may be exempted from the requirements of such
vaccination for a specified period of time by the Director of the
Department of Health and Human Services, upon presentation of a veterinarian's
certificate stating that because of an infirmity or other physical
condition, or regimen of therapy, the inoculation of the cat shall
be deemed inadvisable.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-58 A-C; Ord. #99-75 § 2;
Ord. #07-82]
a.
Cats Must Have a License Number Displayed. Any person who shall own,
keep, or harbor a cat of licensing age shall annually apply for and
procure from, the licensing authority, a license and official registration
tag with license numbers, or a registration sleeve for such cat so
owned, kept or harbored, and shall place upon such cat a collar or
other device with the license number securely fastened or displayed
thereto. Acceptable methods of displaying license number shall include,
but are not limited to, breakaway or elastic collars. License tags
or sleeves are not transferable.
b.
Time for Applying for License. The owner of any newly acquired cat
of licensing age or any cat which attains licensing age, shall make
application for license tag or sleeve for such cat within ten (10)
days after such acquisition or age attainment. This requirement will
not apply to a nonresident keeping a cat within the Township for no
longer than ninety (90) days.
c.
Cats Brought into Jurisdiction. Any person who shall bring, or cause
to be brought into the Township any cat licensed in another State
for the current year, and bearing registration tag or sleeve, and
shall keep the same or permit the same to be kept within the Township
for a period of ninety (90) days shall immediately apply for a license
and registration tag or sleeve for each cat. Any person who shall
bring or cause to be brought into the Township any unlicensed cat,
and shall keep same, or permit same be kept within the Township for
a period of more than ten (10) days, shall immediately apply for a
license and registration tag or sleeve for each such cat.
d.
No more than five (5) cat licenses shall be issued to any residential
household.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-58D; Ord. #07-82]
The application shall state the breed, sex, age, color and markings
of the cat for which license and registration are sought, and whether
it is of a long- or short-haired variety, also the name, street, and
Post Office address of the owner, and the person who shall keep or
harbor such cat. The information on the application and the registration
number issued for the cat shall be preserved for a period of three
(3) years by the licensing authority designated to license cats in
the Township.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-58E; Ord. #07-82]
License forms and official tags or sleeves shall be furnished
by the Township and shall be numbered serially and shall bear the
year of issuance and the name of the Township.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-58F; Ord. #07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
The Department of Health and Human Services or the licensing authority shall not grant any such license and official registration tag or sleeve for any cat, unless the owner therefor provides evidence that the cat to be licensed and registered has been inoculated with a rabies vaccine of a type approved by and administered in accordance with the recommendations of the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Human Services or has been certified exempt as provided by Subsection 11-4.2. The rabies inoculation shall be administered by a duly licensed veterinarian or by such other veterinarian permitted by law to do the same. Cats with a duration of immunity against rabies that expires prior to the tenth month of the licensing period shall be revaccinated prior to the issuance of a license.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-58G; Ord. #07-82; amended 10-3-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-56]
A license shall be issued after payment of a fee of thirteen
($13.00) dollars for each cat. If the cat is unaltered there shall
be an additional fee of ten ($10.00) dollars. Persons who fail to
obtain a license as required within the time period specified in this
section will be subject to a delinquent fee of three ($3.00) dollars.
[Ord. #07-82; Ord. #08-90]
Only one (1) license and registration tag or sleeve shall be
required in the Township. Licenses from another municipality shall
be accepted. Any valid New Jersey license tag or sleeve issued by
a New Jersey municipality shall be accepted by this Township as evidence
of compliance.
a.
License and Registration Tag Fees.
1.
The person applying for the license and registration tag shall pay
to the Department of Health and Human Services a fee for the licensing
of cats as follows:
[Amended 10-3-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-56]
|
Type
|
Fee
|
|---|---|
|
Spayed/Neutered Cat
|
$13.00
Senior fee $6.00
|
|
Non-Spayed/Non-Neutered Cat
|
$23.00
Senior fee $16.00
|
2.
The fee shall be for each annual renewal. The fee for the license
and for the registration tag or sleeve shall be the same as for the
original license and tag. The licenses, registration tags and renewals
thereof shall expire annually on September 30. No blank tags will
be issued.
3.
A late fee of three ($3.00) dollars will be charged after November
1 of each year for any cat over seven (7) months of age that requires
a registration tag as per the above.
4.
Seniors, age sixty-five (65) or older shall pay a reduced yearly
"Local Registration Fee" of six ($6.00) dollars. The unaltered cat
of reproductive age fee and the late fee shall remain as stated in
paragraphs 1 and 3 above.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-58I; Ord. #07-82]
If a license tag or sleeve has been misplaced or lost the licensing
authority may issue a duplicate license and/or registration sleeve
for that particular cat at a fee of five ($5.00) dollars.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-58J; Ord. #07-82]
Proof of licensing shall be produced by any person owning, keeping,
maintaining or harboring a cat, upon the request of any Health Official,
Police Officer, Animal Control Officer or other authorized person.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-58K; Ord. #07-82]
No person shall hinder, molest, or interfere with any person
authorized or empowered to perform any duty under this section.
[Ord. #91-37 § 6-59; Ord. #07-82]
Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person who violates, or fails, or refuses to comply with this section, shall be liable to a penalty of not less than one hundred ($100.00) dollars nor more than the penalty established in Chapter 1, § 1-5 for each offense, to be recovered by and in the name of the local Board of Health or by and in the name of the Township.
[1974 Code § 6-10; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #07-82]
No owner shall permit or allow any dog, cat or domestic animal
to run at large.
[1974 Code § 6-11; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #07-82]
No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog, cat or other
domestic animal shall suffer or permit it to be upon public streets
or in any public place of the Township, unless such dog, cat or other
domestic animal is on a leash and accompanied by its owner or other
person, sixteen (16) years or older, capable of controlling the dog,
cat or other domestic animal.
[1974 Code § 6-12; Ord. No. 93-95 § 1; Ord. #07-82]
No person shall keep, harbor or maintain any dog which habitually
barks, howls, whines or cries between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and
7:00 a.m. or which, by frequent barking, howling, whining or crying,
disturbs the peace, comfort or quiet of the neighborhood, thereby
creating or maintaining a nuisance.
[1974 Code § 6-13; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #07-82]
No person owning, keeping or harboring a dog, cat or other domestic
animal shall permit or suffer it to do any injury or any damage to
any lawn, shrubbery, flowers, grounds or property of another, whether
real or personal.
[1974 Code § 6-14; Ord. #80-47 §§ 1-5;
Ord. #90-36; Ord. #07-82]
a.
No person owning or in charge of any dog, cat or other domestic animal
shall cause or allow such a dog, cat or other domestic animal to soil,
defile, defecate on or commit any nuisance on any common thoroughfare,
sidewalk, passageway, bypath, playground, park area 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 the
property.
b.
Any person owning or in charge of any dog, cat or other domestic
animal 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 the property shall immediately remove all feces deposited
by any such dog, cat or other domestic animal in a sanitary manner.
c.
Sanitary methods for removing all feces approved by the local health
authority are mechanical devices such as pooch scoops, small shovels
and like devices. All feces removed by the person owning, harboring,
keeping or in charge of any such dog, cat or other domestic animal
shall be disposed of in a sealed, nonabsorbent, leakproof container.
d.
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to blind persons
who may use dogs as guides.
[1974 Code § 6-15; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
The Township hereby adopts and incorporates herein all of the
provisions of N.J.S.A. 4:19-1 et seq. as amended and supplemented.
[1974 Code § 6-16; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
The Director of Police, or any member of the Police Department
acting under his direction, or any agency authorized or employed for
the purpose by the Township shall take into custody and impound or
cause to be taken into custody and impounded the following:
a.
Any dog, cat or other domestic animal off the premises of the owner
or of the person keeping or harboring the dog, cat or other domestic
animal, which the Chief or member of the Police Department or agency
has reason to believe is a stray dog, cat or other domestic animal.
b.
Any dog, cat or other domestic animal off the premises of the owner
or of the person keeping or harboring the dog, cat or other domestic
animal without a current registration tag on his collar.
c.
Any female dog, cat or other domestic animal in season off the premises
of the owner or the person keeping or harboring the dog, cat or other
domestic animal.
e.
Any dog,
cat or other domestic animal that has done any of the following:
1.
Attacked
a person and caused death or serious bodily injury as defined in N.J.S.
2C:11-1(b) to that person;
2.
Caused
bodily injury as defined in N.J.S. 2C:11-1(a) to a person during an
unprovoked attack and poses a serious threat of harm to persons or
domestic animals;
3.
Engaged
in dog fighting activities as described in N.J.S.A. 4:22-24 and N.J.S.A.
4:22-26; or
4.
Has been
trained, tormented, badgered, baited or encouraged to engage in unprovoked
attacks upon persons or domestic animals.
[1974 Code § 6-17; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #07-82]
Any officer or agent authorized or empowered to perform any
duty under this chapter is authorized to go upon any premises to seize
for impounding any dog, cat or other domestic animal which he may
lawfully seize and impound when he is in immediate pursuit of such
dog, cat or other domestic animal, except upon the premises of the
owner of the dog, cat or other domestic animal if the owner is present
and forbids the same.
[1974 Code § 6-18; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
a.
If any dog, cat or other domestic animal seized, as provided in Subsection 11-5.7a, b, c or d, wears a collar or harness having inscribed thereon or attached thereto the name and address of any person, or a registration tag, or if the owner or the person keeping or harboring the dog, cat or other domestic animal is otherwise known, the Director of Police or person designated by him or an agency authorized or employed to perform the duties prescribed in this chapter shall forthwith serve or cause to be served on the person whose address is given on the collar or on the owner or on the person keeping or harboring the dog, cat or other domestic animal, if known, a notice in writing stating that the dog, cat or other domestic animal has been seized and will be liable to be disposed of or destroyed if not claimed within seven (7) days after the service of the notice.
b.
The notice
referred to in paragraph a of this subsection 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
on the collar or by forwarding it by mail addressed to that person
at his usual or last known place of abode or to the address given
on the collar.
c.
When any dog, cat or other domestic animal seized in accordance with Subsection 11-5.7a, b, c or d 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 notice has not and cannot be given as above set forth, and if the owner or person keeping or harboring the dog, cat or other domestic animal has not claimed the dog, cat or other domestic animal and paid all expenses incurred by reason of its detention, including maintenance not exceeding one ($1.00) dollar per day and if the dog, cat or other domestic animal be unlicensed at the time of the seizure and the person keeping or harboring the dog, cat or other domestic animal has not produced a license and registration tag for the dog, cat or other domestic animal, the agency may cause the dog, cat or other domestic animal to be destroyed in a manner causing as little pain as possible. Any redemption of a dog, cat or other domestic animal pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall not be deemed to discharge or release the owner thereof from the penalty prescribed in Subsection 11-5.12 hereof for any violation of this chapter.
d.
The preceding requirements of paragraphs a, b, and c of this subsection shall not be deemed applicable when any dog has been seized pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-19, or other animal has been seized pursuant to Subsection 11-5.7e. For dogs that have been seized pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-19, the Director of Police or person designated by him or an agency authorized or employed to perform the duties prescribed in this chapter shall follow the procedures set forth in N.J.S.A. 4:19-16 through 37. For other animals seized pursuant to Subsection 11-5.7e, the Director of Police or person designated by him or an agency authorized or employed to perform the duties prescribed in this chapter shall follow the procedures set forth in Section 11-7.
[Ord. #93-74 § 1; Ord. #07-82]
No person shall abandon any dog, cat or other domestic animal
anywhere throughout the confines of the Township of Woodbridge.
[Ord. No. 11-14; Ord. No. 2017-20]
a.
Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a dog, cat or other pet
shall provide it with proper and adequate food and water, proper shelter
and protection from the weather and with humane care and treatment.
No person shall beat, ill-treat, torment or otherwise abuse a dog,
cat or other pet within the Township, including but not limited to
failure to provide prompt veterinary services for an injured or unhealthy
animal.
b.
No person shall beat, ill-treat, torment, cause intentional injury
to or otherwise abuse any animal, wild or domesticated within the
Township. Failure to properly trap an animal or failure to properly
monitor a set trap which subsequently causes an animal to become ill
or die shall be deemed to constitute abuse under this section.
c.
No person shall feed an outside cat unless the cat is spayed or neutered.
d.
Tethering of Animals. As used in this section:
1.
Tethering shall mean the restraining of an animal by the tying to
any object or structure, including, without limitation, a house, tree,
fence, post, garage, weight or shed, by any means, including, without
limitation, rope, cord, leash or running line, but shall not include
the use of a leash used to walk the animal or to forms of restraint
used in the transportation of an animal.
2.
It shall be unlawful for any person to tether, fasten, tie, restrain
or cause an unattended dog to be fastened, tied or restrained to houses,
trees, fences, garages, stakes or other stationary or highly immobile
objects by means of a rope, strap or other physical restraint for
the purpose of confinement, except in circumstances where all of the
following requirements are satisfied:
(a)
The tethering is for a total of no more than six (6) hours within
a twenty-four (24) hour period, with a maximum of two (2) hours at
any one (1) interval and a minimum one (1) hour period between confinements.
(b)
The tether is attached to the dog by a non-choke type collar,
swivels at both ends, and attached to the stationary object by anchors,
latches, or similar devices in a manner which the dog is able to move
freely and prevents the tether from becoming entangled around the
dog or any object so as to limit the dog's freedom within the tethered
area or to prevent the dog, or any of its appendages, from becoming
entangled by the tether.
(c)
The tether shall be of a type commonly used for the size of
the dog involved.
(d)
The construction of the tether shall be of a lightweight, yet
durable material, shall not exceed twenty (20%) percent of the animal's
weight, and may not be thicker than one-eighth (1/8) inch.
(e)
The tether must be a minimum of fifteen (15) linear feet in
length, less than six (6) feet above the ground, and shall remain
tangle free.
(f)
The tethered dog has easy access to potable drinking water,
edible food, dry ground, and adequate shade and/or shelter within
the tethering area.
(g)
The tethering area shall be clean, clear of obstructions and/or
debris, and no less than one hundred fifty (150) square feet/per dog
in total area.
(h)
The dog, whether used for hunting, farming, breeding, or is
an otherwise working dog, is regularly monitored while tethered for
the aforementioned period of time.
3.
No dog shall be tethered by means of a choke-type, pinch-type, prong-type,
or improperly fitting collar.
4.
Chains shall be prohibited for use as a tethering device.
5.
If there are multiple dogs, each dog shall be tethered separately
and in such a manner that the tethers shall not become entangled with
each other.
6.
No dog shall be tethered within five (5) feet of another person's
property, public thoroughfare, and/or right-of-way.
7.
No dog shall be tethered in a location in which the tether would
allow such dog to reach a potentially dangerous object or obstruction,
including, but not limited to, a pool, fence, tree, post, railing,
half wall or other object or area that poses a risk of injury or strangulation.
8.
No dog shall be tethered in a location where it may be approached
by and attacked by another animal or people, without the chance to
escape to a protected area.
9.
No dog shall be tethered at a vacant structure or premises for any
purpose when it is not monitored by a competent adult who is present
at the property for the duration of such tethering.
10.
Dogs that are not spayed or neutered shall not be tethered for any
period of time.
11.
No dog that is sick or injured shall be tethered.
12.
No dogs shall be tethered between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00
a.m.
[Ord. No. 2017-20]
e.
No animal shall be left outside during snow storms, ice storms or
thunderstorms or if the National Weather Service has issued a weather
alert or storm warning.
[Ord. No. 2017-20]
[1974 Code § 6-19; Ord. #07-82]
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the provisions of § 1-5 of these Revised General Provisions.
[1]
Editor's Note: For State statute authorizing the licensing
and regulation of kennels, pet shops and pounds, see N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.8
et seq. For rules and regulations of State Department of Health, see
N.J.A.C. 8:23-3.1 et seq.
[1974 Code § 6-20; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #02-52; Ord.
#07-82; Ord. No. 2017-37]
As used in this section:
Shall mean any animal subject to rabies and other diseases
of dogs, cats or other domestic, nondomestic or exotic animals, birds
or poultry.
Shall mean any not-for-profit organization which has tax-exempt
status under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue
Code, whose mission and practice is, in whole or in significant part,
the rescue and placement of animals in permanent homes.
Shall mean a member of the species of domestic cat, Felis
Catus.
Shall mean a member of the species of domestic dog, Canis
Familiaris.
Shall mean any facility, whether mobile or stationary that
washes, clips or trims dogs and cats, but where such animals may or
may not be kept overnight.
Shall mean any establishment wherein or whereon the business
of boarding or breeding dogs for sale is carried on, except a pet
shop.
Shall mean to sell, offer for sale or adoption, advertise
for the sale of, barter, auction, give away or otherwise dispose of
a dog or cat.
Shall mean a retail establishment, or part of an establishment,
where dogs and cats are sold, exchanged, bartered or offered for sale
as pet animals to the general public at retail. Such definition shall
not include a kennel, shelter or animal rescue organization, as defined.
Shall mean an establishment for the confinement of animals
seized under the provisions of this section or otherwise.
Shall mean any establishment maintained by or under contract
with any State, County, or municipality where animals are received,
housed or distributed and whose mission and practice is, in whole
or significant part, the rescue and placement of animals in permanent
homes or rescue organizations.
[Ord. No. 2017-37]
a.
No person shall operate or maintain a kennel, pet shop, pound, shelter
or grooming establishment without first obtaining a license.
[1974 Code § 6-21; Ord. #07-82]
b.
The application for license shall describe the premises where the
establishment is located or is proposed to be located and the purpose
or purposes for which it is to be maintained and shall be accompanied
by the written approval of the Department of Health and Human Services
showing compliance with the local and State rules and regulations
governing the location and sanitation of such establishments and the
establishment shall be in compliance with this section. The application
shall have annexed thereto blueprints of the building showing the
site and plans of the premises and building and grounds.
[1974 Code § 6-22; Ord. #07-82]
[Ord. No. 2017-37]
[1974 Code § 6-23; Ord. #90-36; Ord. #02-52; Ord.
#07-82; amended 12-12-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-93]
a.
The annual license fee for a kennel, for-profit shelter or pound
shall be two hundred twenty-five ($225.00) dollars.
b.
The annual license fee for a pet shop shall be two hundred twenty-five
($225.00) dollars.
c.
The annual license fee for a grooming establishment shall be one
hundred fifty ($150.00) dollars.
d.
No fee shall be charged for a nonprofit shelter or pound.
e.
In the event more than one (1) category applies for the establishment,
the licensee shall be charged the highest fee.
[1974 Code § 6-24; Ord. #07-82]
[1974 Code § 6-25; Ord. #07-82]
The Township Clerk shall forward to the State Department of
Health a list of all kennels, pet shops, shelters and private pounds
licensed within thirty (30) days after the licenses therefor are issued,
which list shall include the name and address of the licensee and
the kind of license issued.
[1974 Code § 6-26; Ord. #07-82]
a.
Any person holding a license under this section shall not be required
to secure individual licenses for dogs owned by him and kept at such
establishment; such licenses shall not be transferable to another
owner or different premises.
b.
No dog kept in a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound shall be permitted
off such premises, except on a leash or in a crate or other safe control.
[1974 Code § 6-27; Ord. #07-82]
No person shall operate or maintain such a kennel, pet shop,
pound, shelter or grooming establishment except in accordance with
the following standards and according to the following rules and regulations:
a.
The size, location and sanitary facilities of secure enclosures and
run areas connected thereto in kennels, pet shops and shelters shall
be such that dogs and other animals cannot cause a nuisance.
c.
All secure enclosures shall be constructed of light-colored impervious,
washable material. The floors of secure enclosures and run areas shall
have a concrete steel-trowelled base or other smooth, impervious base
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services and shall
be pitched to provide proper subsurface septic system or sanitary
sewer line, if available.
d.
The buildings used for kennels, pet shops, pounds and shelters shall
at all times have running hot and cold potable water, be maintained
at a minimum temperature of fifty-five (55°F) degrees Fahrenheit;
have facilities for washing and sanitizing utensils in a manner approved
by the Department of Health and Human Services; have windows and doors
to provide adequate ventilation and which are screened so that the
premises are free from insects and foul odors.
e.
Shelters and pounds shall have a room or rooms for segregating dogs
or other animals to provide for the following circumstances:
f.
Facilities for the humane destruction of dogs or other animals and
the disposal of carcasses shall be approved by the Department of Health
and Human Services.
g.
Supplies of food and bedding shall be stored in facilities which
adequately protect such supplies against infestation or contamination
by vermin and insects. Adequate refrigeration shall be provided for
supplies of perishable food which will maintain a temperature not
in excess of fifty (50°F) degrees Fahrenheit.
h.
Provision shall be made for the removal and disposition of animal
and food wastes, bedding and debris. Disposal facilities shall be
so provided and operated as to minimize insect and vermin infestation,
odors and disease hazards.
i.
Premises (buildings and grounds) shall be kept clean and in good
repair in order to protect the animals from injury and to facilitate
the prescribed husbandry practices set forth in these rules and regulations.
Premises shall remain free of accumulations of trash. Insects, ectoparasites
and avian and mammalian pests shall be controlled effectively.
[1974 Code § 6-28; Ord. #07-82]
a.
Housing facilities for animals shall be structurally sound and shall
be maintained in good repair, to protect the animals from injury,
to contain the animals, to restrict the entrance of other animals;
and location, construction, arrangement and operation shall not constitute
a nuisance.
b.
Reliable and adequate electric power, if required to comply with
other provisions of these rules and regulations, and adequate potable
water shall be available.
c.
Supplies of food and bedding shall be stored in facilities which
adequately protect against infestation or contamination by vermin.
Refrigeration shall be provided for supplies of perishable food.
d.
Provision shall be made for the removal and disposal of animal and
food wastes, bedding, dead animals and debris. Disposal facilities
shall be so provided and operated as to minimize vermin infestation,
odors and disease hazards.
e.
Facilities, such as washrooms, basins or sinks shall be provided
to maintain cleanliness among animal caretakers.
f.
Premises (buildings and grounds) shall be kept clean and in good
repair in order to protect the animals from injury and to facilitate
the prescribed husbandry practices set forth in these rules and regulations.
Premises shall remain free of accumulations of trash. Insects, ectoparasites
and avian and mammalian pests shall be controlled effectively.
[1974 Code § 6-29; Ord. #07-82]
a.
Indoor animal facilities shall be provided for all pet shops, shelters
and pounds. Kennels must also have indoor facilities, except for animals
which are acclimated.
b.
Indoor housing facilities for animals shall be sufficiently heated
when necessary to protect the animals from cold and to provide for
their health and comfort. In the case of dogs or cats, the ambient
temperature shall not be allowed to fall below fifty (50°F) degrees
Fahrenheit, unless the animals are acclimated to lower temperatures.
c.
Indoor housing facilities for animals shall be adequately ventilated
to provide for the health and comfort of the animals at all times.
Such facilities shall be provided with fresh air either by means of
windows, doors, vents or air conditioning and shall be ventilated
so as to minimize drafts, odors and moisture condensation. Auxiliary
ventilation, such as exhaust fans and vents or air conditioning, shall
be provided when the ambient temperature is eighty-five (85°F)
degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
d.
Indoor housing facilities for animals shall have ample light, by
natural or artificial means, or both, of good quality and well distributed.
Such lighting shall provide uniformly-distributed illumination of
sufficient light intensity to permit routine inspection and cleaning
during the entire working period.
e.
Primary enclosures shall be so placed as to protect the animals from
excessive illumination.
f.
The interior building surfaces of indoor housing facilities shall
be constructed and maintained so that they are substantially impervious
to moisture and may be readily cleaned.
g.
A suitable method shall be provided to eliminate rapidly excess water
from indoor housing facilities. Drains, when used, shall be properly
constructed and kept in good repair to avoid foul odors therefrom.
Closed drainage systems, when used, shall be equipped with traps and
so installed as to prevent any backup of sewage into the floor of
the room.
[1974 Code § 6-30; Ord. #07-82]
a.
When sunlight is likely to cause overheating or discomfort, sufficient
shade shall be provided to allow animals kept outdoors to protect
themselves from the direct rays of the sun.
b.
Animals kept outdoors shall be provided with access to shelter to
allow them to remain dry during rain or snow.
c.
Shelter shall be provided for animals kept outdoors when the atmospheric
temperature falls below fifty (50°F) Fahrenheit. Sufficient clean
bedding material or by other means of protection from the weather
elements shall be provided when the ambient temperature falls below
that temperature to which an animal is acclimated.
d.
A suitable method shall be provided to drain surface water rapidly.
[1974 Code § 6-31; Ord. #07-82]
a.
A primary enclosure is any structure used to restrict an animal or
animals to a limited amount of space, such as a room, pen, run, cage
or compartment.
b.
Primary enclosures shall be structurally sound and maintained in
good repair so as to:
1.
Contain the animals.
2.
Protect animals from injury.
3.
Keep predators out.
4.
Enable animals to remain dry and clean.
5.
Permit animals convenient access to food and water as required in
these rules and regulations.
6.
Provide sufficient space for each animal to turn about freely and
to stand, sit and lie in a comfortable normal position.
c.
In addition to the other provisions of this subsection, each dog
in any primary enclosure shall be provided a minimum square footage
of floor space equal to the mathematical square of the sum of the
length of the dog in inches, as measured from the tip of its nose
to the base of its tail, plus six (6) inches, expressed in square
feet.
d.
Animals housed in the same primary enclosure shall be maintained
in compatible groups, with the following additional restrictions:
1.
Females in season (estrus) shall not be housed in the primary enclosure
with males, except for breeding purposes, unless otherwise requested
by the owner.
2.
Any animal exhibiting a vicious disposition shall be housed individually
in a primary enclosure.
3.
Immature animals shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure
with adults other than their mothers, except when permanently maintained
in breeding colonies.
[1974 Code § 6-32; Ord. #07-82]
a.
Animals shall be fed at least once each day except as otherwise might
be required to provide adequate care.
b.
The food shall be free from contamination, wholesome, palatable,
and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet the normal
daily requirements for the condition and size of the animals.
c.
Immature animals shall be fed in accordance with generally accepted
procedures.
d.
Containers of food shall be accessible to animals and shall be located
so as to minimize contamination by excreta.
e.
Feeding pans shall be durable and kept clean.
f.
Disposable food receptacles may be used but must be discarded after
each feeding.
g.
Self-feeders may be used for the feeding of dry food and they shall
be cleaned regularly to prevent molding, deterioration or caking of
feed.
h.
If potable water is not accessible to the animals at all times, potable
water shall be offered to animals at least twice daily, for periods
of not less than one (1) hour except as might otherwise be required
to provide adequate care. Receptacles for such purposes shall be kept
clean at all times.
[1974 Code § 6-33; Ord. #07-82]
a.
Excreta shall be removed from primary enclosures as often as necessary
to prevent contamination of the animals contained therein and to reduce
disease hazards and odors. When a hosing or flushing method is used
for cleaning, any animal contained therein shall be removed from such
enclosures during the cleaning process, and adequate measures shall
be taken to protect the animals in other such enclosures from being
contaminated with water and other wastes.
b.
Pet litter and/or bedding shall be changed as often as required to
maintain good sanitary conditions but not less than once each day.
c.
All pet cages shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition
continually.
d.
All pet cages and grids shall be cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant
at least once each day.
e.
Premises (buildings and grounds) shall be kept clean and in good
repair in order to protect the animals from injury and disease, to
facilitate the prescribed sanitary practices as set forth in these
rules and regulations, and to prevent nuisances.
f.
An effective program for the control of insects, ectoparasites, and
avian and mammalian pests shall be established and maintained.
[1974 Code § 6-34; Ord. #07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
a.
Programs of disease control and adequate health care shall be established
and maintained under the supervision and assistance of a doctor of
veterinary medicine.
b.
Each animal shall be observed daily by the animal caretaker in charge
or by someone under his direct supervision. Sick, diseased, injured,
lame or blind animals shall be provided with veterinary care or humanely
disposed of unless such action is inconsistent with the purposes for
which such animal was obtained and is being held; provided, however,
that this provision shall not affect compliance with N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16,
which requires the holding for seven (7) days of all stray dogs.
c.
Any animal under quarantine or treatment for a communicable disease
shall be separated from other animals in order to minimize dissemination
of such disease.
d.
Any person operating or employed at a kennel, pet shop, shelter or
pound who observes an animal which he suspects of being rabid shall
at once notify by telephone or other electronic means, or personally,
the Executive Officer of the local Department of Health and Human
Services or the State Department of Health and segregate such animal
for a period of ten (10) days unless examined and released on the
written statement of a veterinarian.
e.
All employees of a kennel or pet shop shall be tutored by a licensed
veterinarian of the State of New Jersey in the methods of proper examination
of canines received by them, such tutoring program to involve a specific
disease and defect detection system.
f.
Within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt by a pet shop or a kennel,
canines shall be examined by properly trained employees to determine
any defects or disease.
g.
A chart shall be maintained for each canine received by a pet shop
or kennel indicating the examination conducted, the date thereof and
the results of such examination and the chart shall be maintained
for a period of at least one (1) year.
h.
A fecal sample of each canine received by each pet shop or kennel
shall be taken and a record of the examination thereof shall be indicated
on the chart aforesaid.
i.
Newly received canines shall be subjected to examination within twenty-four
(24) hours after receipt and shall be separated into categories of
acceptable health, questionable health and rejectionable health.
j.
A licensed veterinarian of the State of New Jersey shall visit the
pet shop or kennel premises at least once each week and will examine
all canines received since the prior visit and record the facts of
such examinations on the respective canine charts.
k.
All canines placed in the preliminary examination within the questionable
or the rejectionable health category shall be examined by a licensed
veterinarian prior to sale.
l.
All newly received canines shall be administered vaccines against
and leptospirin, in addition to the rabies vaccine as required by
law within one (1) day of receipt by a pet shop or kennel and a record
thereof shall be placed upon the charts for the respective canines.
[1974 Code § 6-35; Ord. #07-82]
a.
Steps in the protection of the public from rabies infection include:
1.
Impounded animals must be kept alive for seven (7) days to give opportunity
for rabies disease surveillance and opportunity for owner to reclaim.
2.
A dog or cat which has bitten a human may be kept alive and observed
for ten (10) days following the bite if the owner of the animal so
desires.
3.
A dog or cat that is not wanted or any other animal which has bitten
a human should be sacrificed for laboratory examination for rabies.
The specimen to be submitted is the head of a small animal such as
dog, cat, or mouse, the brain of a large animal such as a horse, cow
or sheep, or an entire bat. The specimen should be delivered by messenger
to the State Department of Health Laboratory, Health Agriculture Building,
John Fitch Plaza, Trenton.
4.
Animals brought in for elective destruction may not be killed until the person in charge of the facility has determined the animal is not a stray and that the person requesting the animal's destruction is its owner or a representative of the owner, and the animal has not bitten a human being within ten (10) days or evidenced other aggressive tendencies compatible with symptoms suspicious of rabies. If the animal has bitten a human being within ten (10) days, an appropriate specimen shall be delivered to the laboratory under the provisions of Subsection 3 above.
b.
Each shelter or pound shall post a sign establishing specific hours
during which persons will be permitted to enter the facility to look
at animals and records for the purpose of seeking animals that are
missing:
1.
The sign must be clearly visible from the outside.
2.
The hours must be at least one (1) hour each business day.
3.
The person who is searching for a missing animal shall identify himself
by presenting a driver's license or other acceptable identification
document.
4.
The person who is searching for a missing animal shall furnish to
the shelter or pound a written description of the missing animal and
a license for any dog which has attained the age of seven (7) months
which possesses a set of permanent teeth, or a bill of sale or other
proof of ownership of a younger dog or other animal.
5.
The person who is searching for a missing animal shall abide by all
reasonable security measures required by the shelter or pound to prevent
the spread of disease.
[1974 Code § 6-36; Ord. #07-82]
a.
Vehicles used in transporting animals shall be mechanically sound
and equipped to prevent hazards to the health of all animals being
transported.
b.
The animal cargo space of all vehicles shall be so constructed and
maintained as to prevent the ingress of exhaust from the vehicle's
engine.
c.
Primary enclosures used to transport animals, such as compartments
or transport cages, cartons, or crates, shall be well-constructed
and well-ventilated and designed to protect the health and insure
the safety of the animals. Such enclosures shall be constructed or
positioned in the vehicle in such a manner that:
1.
Each animal in the vehicle has access to sufficient fresh air for
normal breathing.
2.
The opening of such enclosures are easily accessible at all times
for emergency removal of the animals.
3.
The animals are afforded adequate protection from the elements. The
temperature within such enclosures shall not be allowed to exceed
eighty-five (85°F) degrees Fahrenheit or fall below forty-five
(45°F) degrees Fahrenheit for a period of more than four (4) hours,
provided, however, that at no time may an animal be transported for
longer than one (1) hour at a temperature of more than ninety-five
(95°F) degrees Fahrenheit or less than thirty-five (35°F)
degrees Fahrenheit.
d.
Animals transported in the same primary enclosure shall be maintained
in compatible groups, and any animal exhibiting a vicious disposition
shall be transported individually in a primary enclosure. Further,
any female animal shall not be transported in the same primary enclosure
with any male animal unless otherwise requested by the owner.
e.
Primary enclosures used to transport animals shall be large enough
to insure that each animal contained therein has sufficient space
to turn about freely, to stand erect and lie in a natural position.
f.
Animals shall not be placed in primary enclosures over other animals
in transit unless each enclosure is fitted with a floor of a material
which prevents animal excreta from entering lower enclosures.
g.
Primary enclosures used to transport animals shall be maintained
in a clean and sanitary condition.
h.
It shall be the responsibility of the attendant or driver to inspect
the animals to determine whether they need emergency veterinary care,
and if so, to obtain such care from a doctor of veterinary medicine
at the earliest opportunity.
[1974 Code § 6-37; Ord. #07-82]
a.
Each person in charge of a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound shall
be responsible for compliance with these rules and regulations.
b.
There shall be kept at each kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound a
record of all animals received and/or disposed of. Such record shall
state the date each animal was received, description of animal, license
number, breed, age and sex; name and address of person from whom acquired;
date killed and method, or name and address of person to whom sold
or otherwise transferred.
c.
These records shall be kept at the premises for twelve (12) months
after the date the animal is killed or removed from the establishment
and shall be available to any agent of the Township, the Department
of Health and Human Services, or the State Department of Health.
d.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, no kennel, pet shop,
shelter or pound shall, within one (1) year from the making thereof,
destroy or dispose of any books, records, documents or other papers
required to be maintained under these rules and regulations.
e.
The records required to be maintained under these rules and regulations shall be held for such period in excess of the one (1) year period specified in Subsection c of this subsection as may be required to comply with any Federal, State or local law. When the Division of Health or local regional Health Department or the State Department of Health notifies a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound in writing that specified records shall be retained pending completion of an investigation or proceeding such facility shall hold such records until their disposition is authorized by the local or regional agency or the State Department of Health.
f.
A licensee shall promptly notify the licensing agency of any change
in his name and address, or any change in his operation which may
affect his status.
[1974 Code § 6-38; Ord. #07-82]
All licenses issued for a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound
shall be subject to revocation by the Municipal Council on recommendation
of the State Department of Health or the Township Department of Health
and Human Services for failure to comply with the applicable provisions
of this section, or rules and regulations of the State Department
of Health, or of the Township Department of Health and Human Services
governing the same, after the licensee has been afforded a hearing
by either the State Department of Health or the Department of Health
and Human Services.
[1974 Code § 6-39; Ord. #07-82]
Any person who shall violate a provision of this section shall,
upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding five
hundred ($500.00) dollars or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding
ninety (90) days, or both. A separate offense shall be deemed committed
on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
[Amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
The provisions of this Section 11-7 shall apply to all animals, other than dogs.
[1984 Code § 6-40; Ord. #3-4-75; Ord. #07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
The Department of Health of the Township of Woodbridge is herein empowered to investigate all animal bite incidents occurring in the Township for the purpose of determining whether the animal involved has a propensity to injure or bite persons or other animals, including but not limited to investigating whether the animal involved has had any previous incidents of biting or injuring persons or animals. Where an animal has been impounded in accordance with Subsection 11-5.7e, the Health Officer or his designee shall immediately notify the Municipal Court that he has seized and impounded an animal pursuant to Subsection 11-5.7e, or that he has reasonable cause to believe that an animal has killed another domestic animal and that a hearing is required. The Health Officer or his designee shall through a reasonable effort attempt to determine the identity of the owner of any dog seized and impounded.
[1974 Code § 6-41; Ord. #3-4-75; Ord. #07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
The Health Officer or his designee shall, within three working days of the determination of the identity of the owner of a dog or other animal seized and impounded pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-19 or Subsection 11-5.7e, 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 or other animal is vicious or potentially dangerous. This notice shall also require that the owner return within seven days, by certified mail or hand delivery, a signed statement indicating whether he wishes the hearing to be conducted or, if not, to relinquish ownership of the dog or other animal, in which case the dog or other animal may be humanely destroyed. If the owner cannot be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, or refuses to sign for the certified letter, or does not reply to the certified letter with a signed statement within seven days of receipt, the dog or other animal may be humanely destroyed.
[1984 Code § 6-42; Ord. #3-4-75; Ord. #07-82; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
If the Municipal Court determines that an animal has a propensity
to injure or bite persons or animals, the Municipal Court has the
power to take the appropriate steps to protect the public, including
but not limited to ordering the removal of the animal from the jurisdictional
limits of the Township, or ordering the humane destruction of the
animal.
[1974 Code § 6-43; Ord. #3-4-75; Ord. #07-82]
If the owner or harborer of the animal does not comply with
the order of the Department of Health within seven (7) days of its
issuance, then the Health Department has the power to impound and
quarantine the animal and then to have the animal destroyed if it
is determined that the animal cannot be permitted to come in contact
with persons of the community because of its dangerous propensity.
[1974 Code § 6-44; Ord. #3-4-75; Ord. #07-82]
[1974 Code § 6-45; Ord. #80-16 § 1; Ord.
#07-82; Ord. #13-61 § 9; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43; 12-12-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-93]
No person shall maintain, keep or harbor on any interior or
exterior premises in the Township any cattle, rabbits, sheep, goats,
ducks, swine, horses, chickens or similar nondomesticated animals
or fowl, excluding pigeons. The Department of Health and Human Services
of the Township of Woodbridge may consider and review, in its sole
discretion, certain requests for a special permit waiving the permit
holder from compliance with this subsection. Moreover, no permit shall
be issued until it has been determined by the Department of Health
and Human Services, upon inspection and review of other information
that the Department deems necessary and appropriate, that such place
and premises are suitable for the housing of the animals. Any exterior
structure used for the housing of animals must comply with all requirements
set forth in the Woodbridge Township Land Use and Development Ordinance.
Furthermore, all such structures must not exceed six (6) feet in height,
must not exceed twenty (20) square feet in size or footprint, must
not be located within ten (10) feet from any property boundary line,
and are only permitted in the rear yard of the property. A permit
shall be revoked if, by virtue of a subsequent inspection, it has
been determined that the premises have not been kept in a sanitary
condition, that the premises are not suitable for maintaining the
good health of the animal in question, and/or the structure within
which the animal is being kept does not comply with the requirements
of the Land Use and Development Ordinance and/or this section. A permit
issued under this subsection shall be renewed annually on or before
January 1 in each year and revoked at the discretion of the Department.
The fee for the permit shall be seventy-five ($75.00) dollars annually.
[1974 Code § 6-36; Ord. #80-16 § 2; Ord.
#07-82; Ord. #13-61 § 9]
Any animal kept within the Township in such a manner that noxious and offensive odors are created, thereby rendering the air offensive and injurious to the public health, or where the premises are maintained in such a condition that flies, mosquitoes and other insects are attracted thereto shall be deemed and is hereby declared to be a nuisance. Any person maintaining such a nuisance shall be subject to the penalty provisions of Subsection 11-8.7 of this chapter and, in addition thereto, the Department of Health and Human Services shall have the authority to remove the animal or animals from the property with or without the owner's approval, subject to the owner's being provided a twenty (20) day period within which to remedy the nuisance.
[1974 Code § 6-47; Ord. #80-16 § 3; Ord.
#07-82; Ord. #13-61 § 9]
No person shall keep, conduct or operate in the Township any poultry, farm or other establishment for the breeding, rearing or maintaining of fowl, birds or animals without a permit from the Department of Health and Human Services. The permit shall be renewed annually on or before the first day of January in each year, and the fee for the permit shall be five hundred ($500.00) dollars, and the permit shall be revocable at the discretion of the Department of Health and Human Services if it is determined that the premises have not been kept in a good and sanitary condition or as per Subsection 11-8.1 or a nuisance has been created as per Subsection 11-8.2.
[Ord. #94-45 § I; Ord. #07-82]
a.
No person shall have or keep on any premises in the Township exotic animals without having obtained a permit from the State Department of Fish and Wildlife. In addition thereto, a permit must be obtained from the Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with Subsection 11-8.1.
b.
Any person who shall bring or cause to be brought into the Township any exotic animal licensed in another State or a New Jersey municipality for the current year and the barring any requisite registration tag and who shall keep or permit the same animal to be kept within the Township for a period of more than ninety (90) days shall immediately apply for a permit for such an exotic animal pursuant to Subsection 11-8.1.
c.
Any person who shall bring or cause to be brought into the Township any nonlicensed exotic animal or shall keep the same or permit the same animal to be kept within the Township for the period of more than ten (10) days shall immediately thereafter apply for a permit for such exotic animal pursuant to Subsection 11-8.1.
d.
No person owning, keeping or harboring any exotic animal shall suffer
or permit the animal to be upon public streets or any public place
within the Township unless the exotic animal is accompanied by its
owner or other person capable of controlling the exotic animal.
e.
No person shall keep, harbor or bring into any public place within
the Township any exotic animal without controlling the animal so that
the animal does not come into any unsolicited physical contact with
any other person within the Township, or cause a threat of any unsolicited
contact with any other person within the Township.
f.
No person shall keep, harbor or bring any exotic animal into the Township which disturbs the peace, comfort or quiet of any neighborhood or any person, thereby causing or maintaining a nuisance, which nuisance is punishable according to Subsection 11-8.1. Running at large is hereby deemed to be a nuisance according to this section.
g.
No person owning, keeping or harboring an exotic animal within the
Township shall permit it or suffer it to do any injury or any damage
to any lawn, shrubbery, flowers, grounds or property of another person.
h.
Exotic animals may be included in a public display or public show
as long as the animal is treated in accordance with all applicable
laws, regulations and ordinances, and is controlled so as to avoid
the threat of unsolicited physical contact with people and does not
cause a nuisance to any people as defined herein.
[Ord. #94-45 § II; Ord. #07-82]
At no time and under no circumstances can any person bring or
cause to be brought into any public place within the Township any
poisonous animal of any kind.
In the event any sentence, section, clause or other portion
of this section or the application thereof to a person or circumstances
shall, for any reason, be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or repeal the
remainder of this section and/or the procedures implemented pursuant
thereto.
[1974 Code § 6-49; Ord. #80-16 § 5; Ord.
#07-82]
The enforcing official shall be the Director of the Department
of Health and Welfare or anyone acting on his behalf.
[1974 Code § 6-50; Ord. #80-16 § 6; Ord.
#84-49 § 1; Ord. #07-82]
[1974 Code § 6-56; Ord. #91-11 § I; Ord.
#07-82]
a.
There shall be established within the Township of Woodbridge an Animal
Control Program within the Department of Health and Human Services
and implemented by an Animal Control Officer.
b.
The Department of Health and Human Services shall provide an Animal
Shelter for the benefit of the Township's animals and owners.
[1974 Code § 6-57; Ord. #93-50; Ord. #00-30 § 1;
Ord. #07-82; Ord. #13-61 § 9; amended 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 21-43]
The Animal Control Program will provide the following services
when possible or practical:
a.
Animal Control Officer will, at the owner's request, deliver or provide
ambulance service for the owner's animal to the pound or kennel or
veterinarian.
b.
Trapping, transfer and disposal of animals from private property.
1.
If the owner obtains a trap(s) from the Woodbridge Township Health
Department, the Animal Control Officer will remove the trapped animal
from the property and deliver to pound or kennel for disposal. There
will be no fee for this service.
2.
On the owner's request, the Animal Control Officer will provide and
set up a trap(s) for the owner on any of the exterior property and
remove and transfer the same to a pound or kennel for disposal.
3.
At the owner's request, if the owner uses his own trap or traps the animal in any confined area on his property, the Animal Control Officer will remove the animal and transfer same to a pound or kennel for disposal. If the Animal Control Officer is summoned to a private residence more than five (5) times in a calendar year, the fees set forth in Subsection c shall be charged for each subsequent visit, unless the Director of Health or designee determines that the trapping provides a benefit to the public health of the community.
4.
The Animal Control Officer, on the request of the owner, will apprehend
or trap and remove any animal such as a bat, from the owner's interior
livable area and remove and transfer animal/bat to pound or kennel
for disposal.
Editor's Note: This service will not be provided for animals,
such as bats, etc., trapped in attics, between walls, in eaves and
crawl spaces, etc. This determination will be at the discretion of
the Animal Control Officer.
[1]
Editor's Note: Payment for these services will be required
upon rendering of this service.
[Ord. #93-50 § 1; Ord. #07-82; Ord. #08-90; Ord.
#13-61 § 9; amended 2-19-2019 by Ord. No. 19-27]
When any animal is received into the Animal Control Shelter
designated by Woodbridge Township Department of Health pursuant to
this chapter, the following schedule of fees should apply to the use
of that shelter by that animal:
a.
Redemption fees.
b.
Daily boarding charge, per animal, per day: $5.
d.
Surrender fees. All animals surrendered to the Animal Shelter must
be by the rightful owner who shall show proof of ownership. Once surrendered,
the animal becomes the property of the Animal Shelter. The fees charged
for surrendering an animal to the Animal Shelter shall be as stated
herein.
[Ord. #06-06 § I; Ord. #07-82]
The purpose of this section is to prohibit the feeding of unconfined
wildlife and feral animals in any public park or on any other property
owned or operated by the Township of Woodbridge, so as to protect
public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for
failure to comply.
[Ord. #06-06 § II; Ord. #07-82]
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 section clearly demonstrates
a different meaning. When not inconsistent 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.
Shall mean 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.
Shall mean an animal that has returned to an untamed state.
Shall mean any individual, corporation, company, partnership,
firm, association, or political subdivision of this State subject
to municipal jurisdiction.
Shall mean all animals that are neither human nor domesticated.
[Ord. #06-06 § III; Ord. #07-82]
No person shall feed, in any public park or on any property
owned or operated by the Township of Woodbridge, any wildlife or feral
animal, excluding confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined
in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, or unconfined wildlife at
environmental education centers.)
[Ord. #06-06 § IV; Ord. #07-82]
[Ord. #06-06 § V; Ord. #07-82]
Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions
of this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than one hundred
($100.00) dollars.
