[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Woolwich as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-15-1989 by Ord. No. 89-11]
[Amended 6-19-1989 by Ord. No. 89-13; 2-19-1990 by Ord. No. 90-2]
Every person who shall own, keep or harbor any
dog or dogs of licensing age within the limits of the Township of
Woolwich shall obtain a dog license for each such dog and shall have
the same registered and numbered with the Animal Control Officer,
and for each such license shall pay the sum of $4.80 as a license
fee for each and every dog, which shall be in addition to the tag
fee and any other fees required by New Jersey Statutes.
Any person who shall keep or harbor any dog
of licensing age, as defined by N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.1, for a period of
10 days or more shall, for the purposes of this article, be deemed
to be the owner of the dog or dogs so kept and harbored.
All applications for dog licenses shall be made
to the Animal Control Officer of the Township of Woolwich, which application
shall state the breed, sex, age, color and markings of the dog or
dogs for which licenses and registrations are sought, and whether
it is a long- or short-haired variety; also the name, street and post
office of the owner and the person who shall keep or harbor such dog.
[Amended 2-19-1990 by Ord. No. 90-2; 4-15-1996 by Ord. No. 96-5]
Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a dog
of licensing age shall, 10 days after such acquisition or age attainment,
"age of attainment" is defined as six months of age, and annually
thereafter prior to March 31 of each year, apply for and procure from
the Animal Control Officer a license and official metal registration
tag for each such dog so owned, kept or harbored, and shall place
upon such dog a collar or harness with the registration tag securely
fastened thereto. There shall be an additional late charge of $10
for any license issued after March 31 of any year unless applied for
within 10 days after acquisition of the dog or within 10 days after
the dog's attaining the licensing age, with the exception of new residents,
for which a forty-five-day extension will be granted. The forty-five-day
extension begins the first day occupancy occurs.
[Amended 3-15-1999 by Ord. No. 99-6]
Dogs used as guides for blind persons and commonly
known as "Seeing Eye" dogs, dogs used to assist handicapped persons
and 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 hereinabove provided for, except that the owner or keeper
of such dog shall not be required to pay any fee therefor.
Every person who shall own, keep or harbor any
dog in the Township of Woolwich and who shall neglect or refuse to
cause such dog to be licensed in the manner herein provided on or
before the 31st day of March in each year shall be guilty of a violation
of this article.
The running at large of all dogs in the Township
of Woolwich, is hereby prohibited. "At large" shall mean any dog found
off the property of the owner. Any person or persons owning, keeping,
processing or harboring any dog or dogs in said Township of Woolwich
who shall suffer or permit the running at large in said township of
any such dogs, whether licensed or unlicensed, wearing a registration
tag or without a tag, shall be guilty of a violation of this article.
No dog shall be permitted off the premises of
the owner or the person keeping or harboring such dog unless said
dog shall be on a leash held by a person over the age of 12 years
and who shall have complete control of the dog.
Any person who shall cause or permit any unlicensed
dog to wear a registration tag shall be guilty of a violation of this
article.
[Added 2-4-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01[1]]
An animal of any age which has been left unattended, unclaimed,
unlicensed, or at large for a period of 72 hours or more.
Any method utilized to prevent reproduction of a dog or cat.
For the purposes of this chapter, an animal refers to a dog,
cat, or domesticated animal.
"Certified animal control officer" means a person 18 years
of age or older who has satisfactorily completed the course of study
approved by the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services and the
Police Training Commission as prescribed by Paragraphs (1) through
(3) of Subsection a of Section 3 of P.L. 1983, c. 525 (N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16a);
or who has been employed in the State of New Jersey in the capacity
of, and with similar responsibilities to those required of, a certified
animal control officer pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 1983, c.
525 for a period of three years before January 17, 1987.
A structure used for housing an animal outdoors on private
property or business property.
A multiple dwelling containing six dwelling units or more.
An unrestrained animal off the premises of the owner.
Any animal of the feline species (Felis catus).
An establishment for the treatment, care, boarding, or training
of dogs or cats for a fee, or a place where dogs or cats are bred
for resale or for a fee; and where the business is the primary source
of income; and where such establishment has been currently inspected
and approved for use by the Gloucester County Health Department and
any other applicable State Agencies.
Any animal of the canine species (Canis familiaris) except
dingoes.
Any dog which has attained the age of six months or which
possesses a set of permanent teeth.
An animal tamed and adapted to live in close association
with and to the benefit of humans.
Restrained by a leash no greater than six feet in length,
attached to a collar or harness of sufficient strength to restrain
the animal and which shall be held by a person having the ability
to control the animal at hand.
An individual who has been designated, and authorized by
the governing body who shall have the power and authority within the
municipality in which the officer is designated, or otherwise authorized
to act, as a municipal humane law enforcement officer to:
Enforce all animal welfare and animal cruelty laws of the state
and ordinances of the municipality;
Investigate and sign complaints concerning any violation of
an animal welfare or animal cruelty law of the state or ordinance
of the municipality; and
Act as an officer for the detection, apprehension, and arrest
of offenders against the animal welfare and animal cruelty laws of
the state and ordinances of the municipality;
And abide by the provisions of Chapter 22 of Title 4 of the
Revised Statutes.
Any person having a right of property in any animal, or any
person who has an animal in his/her custody, or any person offering
or allowing access to food, water, or shelter to an animal, or any
person exercising control over an animal or permitting, allowing or
suffering an animal to remain on premises under his/her control, or
anyone who takes an animal out into the public streets, sidewalks
or public ways.
An individual, partnership, corporation or other entity.
Any dog or dog hybrid declared potentially dangerous by a
municipal court pursuant to section 7 of P.L. 1989, c. 307 (N.J.S.A.
4:19-23).
A block and lot with an occupied dwelling unit or dwelling
units on it.
An establishment for the confinement of dogs or cats seized
under the provisions of this chapter.
An animal having no known owner or custodian or has no owner
information or identification attached.
To confine an animal with rope, chain, or similar material
by which an animal is fastened so that it is able to range or feed
only within certain limits.
Any Township Code Enforcement Official, Borough/Municipality
Police Department Officer, Gloucester County Animal Control Officer,
the Municipal Clerk, or any other official or person assigned or designated
by Mayor and Council.
Any dog or dog hybrid declared vicious by a municipal court
pursuant to section 6 of P.L. 1989, c. 307 (N.J.S.A. 4:19-22).
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Art.
II, Animals Running at Large, adopted 3-17-1998 by Ord. No. 98-12,
as amended.
[Amended 2-4-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
A.
The Animal Control Officer appointed for the purpose by the Township
Committee shall take into custody and impound or cause to be taken
into custody and impounded, and thereafter destroyed or offered for
adoption as provided in this section, any dog or cat running at large
in the Township of Woolwich. This shall include any dog or cat off
the premises of the owner or the person keeping or harboring such
dog unless said dog is restrained on a leash as hereinbefore provided.
B.
The owner, if known, of any dog or cat so seized shall forthwith
upon seizure of the dog be served notice pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16.
C.
Any owner or the person keeping or harboring said dog or cat may
claim the dog or cat upon paying all expenses incurred by reason of
its detention, with a minimum payment of $35 per day for the first
day of its detention or any part of the first day, and if detained
for more than one day, by paying $4 for each day thereafter the pet
is in the shelter, and by procuring the necessary license and registration
tag, if the same have not been previously obtained.
D.
If the owner or person keeping or harboring the dog or cat fails
to claim the dog or cat at the end of the seven-day period, the Animal
Control Officer appointed for the purpose by the Township Committee
may cause the dog to be destroyed as humanely as possible or offered
for adoption.
[Amended 2-4-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
If the municipal court declares any dog to be potentially dangerous,
it shall issue an order pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-24, and a schedule
for compliance which, in part:
A.
Shall require the owner to comply with the following conditions:
(1)
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 50 feet of the enclosure required pursuant to Subsection (2) of this section;
(2)
To immediately erect and maintain an enclosure for the potentially
dangerous dog on the property where 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 feet in height
separated by at least three 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 with a tether approved by the animal control officer
and having a 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 feet from the owner and under the direct
supervision of the owner;
B.
May require the owner to maintain liability insurance in an amount
determined by the municipal court to cover any damage or injury caused
by the potentially dangerous dog. The liability insurance, which may
be separate from any other homeowner policy, shall contain a provision
requiring the municipality in which the owner resides to be named
as an additional insured for the sole purpose of being notified by
the insurance company of any cancellation, termination or expiration
of the liability insurance policy.
C.
Appeal of decision. The owner of the dog, or the animal control officer
in the municipality in which the dog was impounded, may appeal any
final decision, order, or judgment, including any conditions attached
thereto, of a municipal court pursuant to P.L. 1989, c. 307 (N.J.S.A.
4:19-17 et seq.) by filing an appeal with the Superior Court, Law
Division, in accordance with the Rules Governing The Courts of the
State of New Jersey pertaining to appeals from courts of limited jurisdiction.
The Superior Court shall hear the appeal by conducting a hearing de
novo in the manner established by those rules for appeals from courts
of limited jurisdiction.
[Amended 2-4-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
Note: May be superseded by N.J.S.A. 4:22-17.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
No person shall at any time cause or allow any dog, cat, or domesticated
animal to be kept outside on private or public property within the
Township except that:
(a)
The animal shall have access to and be provided with suitable
and edible food of sufficient quantity on a daily basis and replenished
at a minimum of every 12 hours.
(b)
The animal shall at all times have access to and be provided
with clean water (cool in summer and unfrozen in winter).
(c)
The animal shall have access to an area to defecate or urinate
separate from the areas where it must eat, drink, or lay down.
(d)
Fecal matter must be removed on a daily basis and within 24
hours of being deposited.
(e)
The primary area where the animal is kept must be located behind
the principal dwelling on the property.
(f)
It shall be prohibited to allow any dog, cat, or domesticated
animal to be kept outdoors at any vacant structure or premises at
any time.
B.
Animal housing.
(1)
No person shall keep, use, or maintain a dog, or domesticated animal
outdoors, other than a cat on any premises unless such animal has
access to housing meeting all of the following requirements:
(a)
The housing shall be provided with five weatherproof sides,
including a top, a bottom and a minimum of three sides. The housing
must have an entrance covered by a self-closing swinging door or covering
or an "L" shaped entrance to prevent the wind and elements from entering
the house.
(b)
The housing must be moistureproof, weathertight, and maintained
in good repair.
(c)
The housing must be placed in a dry area free of debris, feces,
and standing water.
(d)
The housing area shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary
condition.
(e)
If multiple animals are present in one location, each animal
must have separate and clean housing.
C.
Restraints. In addition to the housing requirements of Subsection B, no person shall keep, use, or maintain a dog, or domesticated animal, other than a cat, outdoors on any premises unless such an animal is either tethered in accordance with Subsection D, or kept within a fence in accordance with Subsection E.
D.
Tethering.
(1)
The fastening, chaining, tethering or other restraint system (other
than a fence) of any dog, or domesticated animal, other than a cat
must meet all of the following requirements:
(a)
Any restraint system shall be situated and terminate no less
than 10 feet from any adjacent property boundary.
(b)
Any restraint system must be situated and terminate no less
than five feet from any fence, pool, wall, vehicle, tree, or any other
object or obstruction upon which any animal may harm itself.
(c)
The tether is to be constructed of a secure, lightweight material
that shall not exceed 1/8 of said animals total body weight.
(d)
The animal must be provided with a properly fitting harness
or buckle type collar. Such collar attaching the tether to the animal
shall be constructed of leather, nylon, or comparable material. Said
collar shall be maintained in good condition. Metal and choke collars
are prohibited.
(e)
The tether shall be at least 15 feet in length and not less
than 3 1/2 times the length of the animal, whichever is longer,
as measured from the animals nose to the base of its tail.
(f)
The tether shall be provided with swivels at both ends and shall
be maintained tangle free.
(g)
Tethered animals must be altered or sterilized.
(h)
The tethered animal shall have access to adequate animal housing in accordance with Subsection B of this section.
(i)
It shall be prohibited to tether any animal less than six months
of age.
(j)
It shall be prohibited to tether animals to barrels, vehicles,
any object which is not stationary, or other objects which may harm
or injure the animal.
(k)
The tether area must be kept clean and clear of any debris that
may harm or cause any dog or cat to become entangled.
(l)
Any owner who chooses to tether a cat must comply with the above
standards.
E.
Fencing.
(1)
A fence for the purpose of restraining any dog, or domesticated animal,
other than a cat, must meet all of the following requirements:
(a)
The animal confined within a fence must have adequate space
for exercise and movement, which shall not be less than 100 square
feet.
(b)
The fencing shall be constructed and maintained as to prevent
the animal from leaving or escaping the fenced area and to prevent
other animals from entering the fenced area.
[Amended 2-4-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
A.
Habitual barking: No person shall own any dog which habitually cries
or barks in a manner which would annoy or disturb a reasonable person.
An "annoyance or disturbance," for the purpose of this section, shall
be defined as barking, howling or crying continuously for a period
of 10 minutes or more or intermittently for 30 minutes or more. A
violation of this section shall subject the owner of the offending
dog to the penalties for a violation of this chapter.
B.
Damage to property prohibited. No person owning or in control of
a dog or cat shall allow it to damage any lawn, shrubbery, flowers
or grounds of any public park, public building or other public place
within the Township or upon any private property.
C.
Damage or injury to other property, pets, or persons prohibited:
It shall be a violation of this chapter for an owner of a dog or cat
to suffer, allow, or permit the following prohibited acts:
(1)
Bite, chase, jump upon, interfere with, or otherwise impede pedestrian
traffic or the mobility of any person on public property or within
a public sidewalk or right-of-way.
(2)
Chase, leap upon, interfere with, or otherwise impede the progress
of any bicyclist or other person utilizing self-powered transportation
or motor vehicle or motorized transportation on any public or private
road, public property, or within a public right-of-way.
(3)
Bark, growl, or otherwise display aggressive behavior towards a human
being and place in such person a reasonable apprehension of bodily
harm or injury.
(4)
To destroy or damage any structure or equipment on any public park,
public building, other public place or upon any private property.
D.
Placement of food outside a residence without a licensed pet prohibited.
No person shall place food for dogs or cats outside of their home
unless they are the owner of a licensed dog or cat and such food is
intended solely for their dog or cat.
E.
All persons
walking a dog must be in personal possession of the proper utensils
for cleanup and disposal of dog waste at all times and are further
required to immediately and properly dispose of their pet's solid
waste deposited on any property, street or sidewalk, whether public
or private, not owned or possessed by that person.
[Added 12-4-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-34]
[Amended 2-4-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
A.
Biting of person by dog or cat. When any dog or cat bites a person,
the Township Official may order the owner of the dog or cat to confine
it, either on the owner's premises, or at any other reasonable location
at the owner's sole cost and expense which the officer shall designate,
for a period of not less than 10 days.
B.
Examination of confined animal. The Officer of the County Board of Health or Animal Control Officer shall have the right to examine any dog or cat confined under the provisions of Subsection A, herein at any time, including daily examinations for a period of 10 days after the dog or cat has attacked or bitten any person, to ascertain whether the animal shows signs or symptoms of rabies.
C.
Release of animals confined. Following the passage of 10 days as required by Subsection A herein, and animal so quarantined shall be released, but only upon the issuance of a certificate of release which shall indicate that the animal appears to be healthy and free from rabies. Said certificate shall be maintained by the appropriate Township official, and a copy shall be provided to the owner and individual bitten by the animal upon its release.
[Amended 2-4-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
Gloucester County Animal Control Officers (GCACO), or other
designated person(s) may investigate, and/or require compliance for
violations pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:22. In the event that the GCACO,
or designated person(s) sees, or recognizes a potential criminal situation,
or the need arises where a criminal investigation is warranted, the
GCACO shall make contact/report to the Municipal Humane Law Enforcement
Officer for further action. The GCACO may continue to contribute to
the investigation as requested or required.
[Added 2-4-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
A.
The Designated Township Official shall enforce the provisions of
this chapter. Nothing herein shall prohibit a private citizen from
bringing or signing a complaint for an alleged violation of this chapter.
B.
Compliance with requirements. Any owner of an animal within the Township,
by the act of owning such animal does thereby authorize the Designated
Township Official to enter the property where such animal is kept
to investigate any alleged or suspected violation of any provision
of this chapter, or N.J.S.A. 4:22.
[Added 2-4-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
No person shall hinder, molest, or interfere with anyone authorized
or empowered to perform any duty under this chapter.
[Added 2-4-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-01]
Any person found to be in violation or found to have failed
to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction
thereof, be subject to a fine of not less than $100 and not more than
$1,000; or imprisoned for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both, in
the county jail. Each day of such violation or failure to comply shall
constitute a separate offense and, therefore, are not subject to merger
either for the purposes of the violation or imposition of fines and
penalties.
