[2002 Code § 6.12.010; N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16b]
The Mayor and Council shall appoint an Animal Control Officer
whose duty it shall be to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
[2002 Code § 6.12.020]
The Animal Control Officer shall have the powers and duties
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16 et seq., and shall take into custody
and impound, or cause to be taken into custody and impounded and thereafter
destroyed or disposed of as provided in this chapter:
a. Any dog running at large in the Borough;
b. Any dog off the premises of the owner or the person keeping or harboring
the dog without a current registration tag on his collar and not controlled
by a leash as provided in this chapter.
c. Any female dog in season off the premises of the owner or of the
person keeping or harboring the dog.
[Ord. No. 2008-10]
The Police Department or Animal Control Authority of the Borough
shall be responsible for enforcement of this chapter.
[2002 Code § 6.12.030]
When any dog so seized has been detained for seven days after
notice, when notice can be given, or has been detained for seven days
after seizure, when notice cannot be given, in accordance with the
laws of the State of New Jersey, and if the owner or person keeping
or harboring the dog has not claimed the dog and paid all expenses
incurred by reason of its seizures and detention, and if the dog be
unlicensed at the time of the seizure, and the owner or person keeping
or harboring the dog has not produced a license and registration tag
for the dog, the Animal Control Officer, or other designated authority,
may cause the dog to be destroyed in a manner causing as little pain
as possible.
[2002 Code § 6.12.040A, B]
a. Any dog or cat found running at large may be impounded by the Animal
Control Officer of the Borough, in an animal shelter and confined
in a humane manner. Immediately upon impounding, the Animal Control
Officer shall make every effort to notify the owner and inform such
owner of the conditions whereby custody of the animal may be regained.
Dogs or cats not claimed by their guardians within a period of three
full days in which the shelter is open to the public shall become
the property of the Borough.
b. When a dog or cat is found running at large and its ownership is
verified by the Animal Control Officer, the authority may exercise
the option of serving the owner with a notice of violation in lieu
of impounding the animal. In accordance with the State law, a dog
or cat shall not be considered abandoned until a total of seven days
has passed and is not claimed.
[2002 Code § 6.12.040C]
In the event that the appropriate authority finds a dog or cat
to be suffering, it shall have the right forthwith to remove or cause
to have removed any animals to a safe place for care at the guardian's
expense or to euthanize them humanely when necessary to prevent further
suffering.
[2002 Code Title 3 Fee Schedule; 2002 Code § 6.12.040; Ord. No. 2008-3 § II; Ord. No. 2008-18; New; Ord. No. 2010-01; Ord. No. 2010-20; Ord. No. 2011-11; Ord. No. 2016-05]
(Fees restated in subsection
2-56.1, Fee Schedule)
Any animal impounded may be redeemed by the owner upon payment
of an impoundment fee of $75 to $250 and a redemption fee of $75 to
$250. Any animal impounded more than three full days shall be transported
to the shelter operated by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals or other such shelter, and the owner shall be responsible
for any costs and fees charged and incurred by the Borough and the
shelter. Payment of impoundment fees is not considered to be in lieu
of any fine, penalty or license fee.
[2002 Code § 6.12.040E]
Nothing in this section shall in any way be construed as relieving
any person from complying with any State statutes or other regulations
pertaining to the licensing and registration of dogs or cats.