This Article shall be known as the "Woodbury Heights Animal
Control Ordinance."
The words hereinafter defined shall have the meanings herein
prescribed for the purposes of this Article as follows:
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 Article, an animal refers to a dog,
cat, or domesticated animal.
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 Borough Code Enforcement Official, Borough 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 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 a source of income;
and where such establishment has been currently inspected and approved
for use by the Gloucester County Health Department or any applicable
State agencies.
Any animal of the canine species (Canis familiaris) except
dingoes.
Any dog or cat 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.
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 lot with a dwelling unit or dwelling units on it or a nonresidential
property having a structure, building or other improvements thereof
except a shelter or commercial kennel defined herein.
An establishment for the confinement of dogs or cats seized
under the provisions of this Article.
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 dog or dog hybrid declared vicious by a municipal court
pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1989, c.307 (C.4:19-22).
A.
Number of dogs/cats permitted. A property within the borough shall
be limited to three dogs and three cats, with the exception of those
having a valid commercial kennel license.
B.
Grandfather clause. Notwithstanding Subsection A of this section, an owner who, as of the effective date of this Article (the Article was adopted February 17, 2010), possesses more than three dogs and/or three cats shall be permitted to keep and maintain said number of dogs and/or cats as long as all such dogs and/or cats are properly licensed and altered or sterilized in accordance with the requirements of this Article as of that date. An owner shall be entitled to maintain the presently existing number of dogs and/or cats greater than the number permitted by this Article until such dog and/or cat dies or is otherwise transferred out of the borough. When one of the number of dogs and/or cats in excess of the number permitted by this Article shall die or be transferred out of the borough, such animal may not be replaced unless and until the number of dogs or cats owned or possessed by said owner is in compliance with this Article.
C.
Application for waiver. An owner desirous of owning and maintaining
a number of dogs or cats in excess of that permitted by this Article
shall have the right to make application to the borough Board of Health
for a waiver of the maximum number of animals permitted under this
Article. The application for a hearing before the Board of Health
must be submitted not less than 10 days prior to a regularly scheduled
Board of Health meeting, with notice published in the official newspaper
of the borough not less than 10 days prior to said meeting, and giving
written notice to all property owners within 200 feet of the applicant's
property. The applicant shall obtain a certified list of all property
owners within 200 feet of his/her property from the Borough Tax Assessor's
office. Notice requirements herein shall be accomplished by the applicant
at applicant's expense.
(1)
Type of notice. Notice must be made to all property owners within
200 feet of the applicant's property by regular and certified
mail, return receipt requested, with proof of service being presented
to the Board of Health at the time of the hearing with an affidavit
setting forth that the mailing has been made to the appropriate property
owners.
(2)
Form of notice. The notice shall set forth the following:
(a)
Name and address of the applicant.
(b)
The address and lot and block number of the household or dwelling
unit for which the applicant is requesting a number of dogs and/or
cats in excess of the Article requirement.
(c)
The nature of the waiver requested, setting forth the number
of dogs and/or cats total and the number of dogs and/or cats requested
in excess of the Article requirement.
(d)
The date, time and place of the hearing before the Board of
Health.
(3)
Considerations for granting of waiver, burden of proof and vote.
By majority vote of quorum of the Board of Health, the Board may grant
or deny an application for a request for a waiver based upon a preponderance
of evidence that the applicant has demonstrated good cause for the
granting of such waiver. In examining whether or not a waiver should
be granted, the Board of Health shall consider the following:
(a)
The size of the property of the applicant where the dogs and/or
cats are intended to be kept.
(b)
The distance between the location of where the dogs and/or cats
are intended to be kept on the applicant's property and the physical
location of an adjacent property owner's home or dwelling unit.
(c)
Whether the applicant's household is an apartment, condominium
or townhouse or a single-family detached dwelling.
(d)
Whether the applicant's property is fenced so as to shield
the cats and/or dogs from the sight of the surrounding property owners.
(e)
Whether the dogs and/or cats are kept in the applicant's
home or remain primarily outside of the applicant's home.
(f)
The breed and size of each dog or cat.
(g)
Any prior history of complaints filed against the applicant
for violation of this Article, or any previous ordinances pertaining
to animal control, or any violation of State statutes pertaining to
animal cruelty.
(h)
The zoning district of the applicant's property.
(i)
Whether the dogs and/or cats serve some purpose related to the
applicant's use of his/her property, i.e., whether the dogs are
utilized for security, or cats utilized for rodent control.
(j)
For other such reasons as the Board may feel appropriate to
consider according to the case, facts and circumstances presented
to the Board.
(4)
State number of dogs and/or cats. Should the Board grant the applicant's
request for a waiver, the Board shall set the number or dogs and/or
cats permitted for the applicant's household or dwelling unit
in excess of that permitted by the Article.
(5)
Revocation of waiver. A waiver granted by the Board of Health to an applicant for a waiver may be revoked by the Board by proper application made by a borough official, member of the Borough Police Department or an individual by making application to the Board of Health at least 10 days prior to a Board of Health meeting and by serving notice upon the owner by regular and certified mail, return receipt requested, of the application for revocation of the waiver. The notice shall also include a factual basis for the requested revocation. A hearing shall then be held by the Board of Health on the application for revocation. The Board will evaluate the application for revocation of waiver based upon the same criteria previously set forth herein under Subsection C(3)(a) through (j) of this Article.
A.
License requirement. No person shall own, keep, harbor, or maintain
any dog or cat over six months of age within the borough unless such
dog or cat is licensed. The provisions of this section do not apply
to dogs or cats held by a State or Federally licensed researched facility,
a veterinary establishment, shelter, pound, licensed commercial kennel,
or pet shop. No dog or cat may be licensed without proof of vaccination
as detailed below.
B.
Dogs or cats subject to the licensing requirement. Any dog or cat
is subject to the following licensing requirements:
(1)
Any dog or cat acquired by any person during the course of any calendar
year and kept within the borough for more than 10 days after acquisition.
(2)
Any dog or cat attaining licensing age during the course of the calendar
year.
(3)
Any unlicensed dog or cat brought into the borough by any person
and kept within the borough for more than 10 days.
(4)
Any dog or cat licensed by a borough or municipality of another state
brought into the borough by any person and kept within the borough
for more than 90 days.
C.
Previously licensed pets. Only one license and registration tag shall
be required in any licensing year for any dog or cat owned in New
Jersey, and a license and tag issued by any other municipality in
this State shall be accepted by the borough as evidence of compliance
with this section. However, upon the expiration of the license for
that dog or cat issued by another municipality of this State, said
dog or cat shall be so licensed in accordance with this Article. The
owner of any such dog or cat shall provide to the borough a copy of
the license which was issued by the other municipality.
D.
Licensing fees.
(1)
All dogs and cats within the limits of the borough shall be licensed
in accordance with New Jersey Law, and the licensing fee therefor
shall be as follows:
(a)
For altered or nonsterilized dogs: $8.20
[Amended 2-16-11 by Ord. No. 2-2011]
(b)
For nonaltered or sterilized dogs: $11.20
[Amended 2-16-11 by Ord. No. 2-2011]
(c)
Commercial kennel: $10.00 if under 10 dogs and cats and $25.00
if 10 or more
(d)
A dog deemed as a potentially dangerous dog: $700.00
(e)
All cats: $7.00
[Added 2-16-11 by Ord. No. 2-2011]
(2)
A late fee of $15, in addition to the fees set forth above, shall
be imposed upon an owner where a dog or cat within the borough limits
qualifying for a license on the first day of each year is not licensed
on or before the 31st day January of each calendar year.
E.
Vaccination. All dogs and cats within the borough shall be vaccinated
against rabies in accordance with the following:
(1)
Vaccination shall be performed by a veterinarian licensed to practice
in the State of New Jersey. The vaccine used shall be from a manufacturer
licensed by the Bureau of Animal Husbandry of the United States Department
of Agriculture or such other agency as shall be approved by the State
Department of Health. The dosage shall be as recommended by the manufacturer.
All dogs and cats shall be revaccinated before the expiration of the
period of time for which the vaccine used is known to be effective.
(2)
The Health Officer may exempt any dog or cat from the provisions
of this subsection if there is presented to him/her a certificate
from a licensed veterinarian stating that it would be undesirable
to vaccinate a particular dog or cat for a specified period of time
because of the animal's age, infirmity or other physical condition.
(3)
No vaccination shall be required for any dog or cat confined to a
licensed kennel, pet shop, shelter, pound or veterinary hospital.
(4)
The fact that a dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies shall
be evidenced by a certificate from the veterinarian performing the
vaccination. The certificate shall either be on a form approved by
the Health Officer or a State or County Board of Health Officer or
a standard immunization certificate shall be used by the veterinarian.
The certificate shall be presented to the Health Officer within 10
days after each vaccination. In the case of dogs or cats vaccinated
before being brought into the borough, the certificate shall be presented
to the Health Officer within 10 days after the animal is brought into
the borough.
(5)
No dog or cat license shall be issued until the certificate indicating
that it has been vaccinated against rabies or the certification that
it is not necessary to vaccinate the dog or cat is endorsed by the
Borough Health Officer or other designated person has been presented
to the Borough Clerk.
F.
Wearing of collar and registration tag. All dogs and cats for which
licenses are required by the provisions of this Article shall wear
a collar or harness with the registration tag for such dog or cat
securely fastened to it. No person, except an appropriate officer
in the performance of his or her duties, shall remove a registration
tag from the collar of any dog or cat without consent of the owner,
nor shall any person attach a registration tag to a dog or cat which
was not issued in accordance with this chapter.
Any dog or cat owner who shall suffer, allow or permit any licensed
or unlicensed dog; licensed or unlicensed nonaltered or nonsterilized
cat to run at large without the tag as provided by law shall be guilty
of a violation of this Article.
If the Municipal Court declares any dog to be potentially dangerous,
it shall issue an order and a schedule for compliance which, in part:
A.
Shall require the owner to comply with the following conditions:
(1)
To apply, at his own expense, to the Municipal Clerk or other official
designated to license dogs pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1941, c.151
(C.4:19-15.2), for a special municipal potentially dangerous dog license,
municipal registration number, and red identification tag issued pursuant
to section 14 of this act. The owner shall, at his own expense, have
the registration number tattooed upon the dog in a prominent location.
A potentially dangerous dog shall be impounded until the owner obtains
a municipal potentially dangerous dog license, municipal registration
number and red identification tag;
(2)
To display, in a conspicuous manner, a sign on his premises warning
that a potentially dangerous dog is on the premises. The sign shall
be visible and legible from 50 feet of the enclosure required pursuant
to paragraph (3) of this subsection;
(3)
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 (C.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.
A.
General Requirements. 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 borough except that:
(1)
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.
(2)
The animal shall at all times have access to and be provided with
clean water (cool in summer and unfrozen in winter).
(3)
The animal shall have access to an area to defecate or urinate separate
from the areas where it must eat, drink, or lay down.
(4)
Fecal matter must be removed on a daily basis and within 12 hours
of being deposited.
(5)
The primary area where the animal is kept must be located behind
the principal dwelling on the property.
(6)
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. No person shall keep, use, or maintain a dog, or
domesticated animal outdoors, other than a cat on any property unless
such animal has access to housing meeting all of the following requirements:
(1)
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.
(2)
The housing must be moisture proof, weather tight, and maintained
in good repair.
(3)
The housing must be placed in a dry area free of debris, feces, and
standing water.
(4)
The housing area shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
(5)
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. 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:
(1)
Any restraint system shall be situated and terminate no less than
10 feet from any adjacent property boundary.
(2)
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.
(3)
The tether is to be constructed of a secure lightweight material
that shall not exceed one-eighth (1/8) of said animal's total
body weight.
(4)
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.
(5)
The tether shall be at least 15 feet in length and not less than
three and one-half (3 1/2) times the length of the animal, whichever
is longer, as measured from the animal's nose to the base of
its tail.
(6)
The tether shall be provided with swivels at both ends and shall
be maintained tangle free.
(7)
Tethered animals must be altered or sterilized.
(8)
The tethered animal shall have access to adequate animal housing in accordance with Subsection B. of this Article.
(9)
It shall be prohibited to tether any animal less than six months
of age.
(10)
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.
(11)
The tether area must be kept clean and clear of any debris that
may harm or cause any dog or cat to become entangled.
(12)
Any owner who chooses to tether a cat must comply with the above
standards.
E.
Fencing. A fence for the purpose of restraining any dog, or domesticated
animal, other than a cat, must meet all of the following requirements:
(1)
The animal confined within a fence must have adequate space for exercise
and movement, which shall not be less than 100 square feet.
(2)
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.
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 Article.
B.
Running at large; leash required; certain public places prohibited.
No person owning a dog shall permit it to run at large upon the public
streets, public parks, public buildings or in any other public place
within the borough nor permit a dog to run at large upon private property
without the permission of the owner. No person owning a dog shall
permit it upon the public streets or in any other public place in
the borough unless the dog is properly displaying a tag as required
and accompanied and controlled by a person over the age of 10 and
is securely fastened to a leash. Notwithstanding the provisions of
this section, it shall be a violation of this Article for any person
owning, keeping or harboring any dog to suffer or permit such dog,
whether on a leash or not, to be upon any parks, recreation or athletic
fields owned, maintained or operated by the borough or upon any property
owned, maintained or operated by a Board of Education within the borough.
C.
Nonaltered or nonsterilized cat running at large prohibited. It shall
be a violation of this Article for the owner of any cat, where such
cat has not been altered or sterilized (and proof is shown thereof
by the owner) and licensed in accordance with requirements of this
Article and properly displaying a tag as required, to allow such cat
to run at large within the borough.
D.
Damage to property prohibited. No person owning or in control of
a dog or cat shall allow it to damage or defecate upon any lawn, shrubbery,
flowers or grounds of any public park, public building or other public
place within the borough or upon any private property.
E.
Damage or injury to other property, pets, or persons prohibited.
It shall be a violation of this Article 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 vehicle.
(3)
Barks, growls, or otherwise displays aggressive behavior towards
a human being and places 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.
F.
Defecation on public or private property prohibited; exception.
(1)
No person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge of any dog or cat
shall cause, suffer or allow such a dog to soil, defile, or defecate
on or commit any nuisance on any common thoroughfare, sidewalk, passageway,
bypass, park, open space 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.
(2)
Notwithstanding anything contained in Subsection F(1) to the contrary, the restrictions as set forth above shall not apply to that portion of the street lying between the curblines or, if no curbs are present, within the paved cartway of a street which shall be used to curb such dog upon the following conditions:
(a)
The person who curbs the dog shall immediately remove feces
deposited by the dog by a sanitary method, such as in a sealed, nonabsorbent,
leak proof container (i.e., plastic bag).
(b)
The feces removed from the aforementioned designated area shall
be disposed of by the person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge
of any dog curbed in a sanitary manner but shall not be placed in
a public trash receptacle or storm drain.
(3)
Any owner or person in custody of any dog or cat being walked upon any common thoroughfare, sidewalk, street, passageway, path or any place where people congregate must have in their possession a sealed, nonabsorbent, leak proof container as described in Subsection F(2)(a) above, and appropriate materials or devices to remove feces deposited by the animal. The failure to possess such container and materials to clean up feces deposited by the animal shall constitute a violation of this Article.
(4)
The requirements of this section shall not apply to the owner of
any dog when said dog is utilized as a guide for any person or owner
who is legally blind.
G.
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.
H.
Habitual crying (cats): No owner of any cat shall cause or permit
any habitual crying or howling in a manner which would annoy or disturb
a reasonable person. The phrase "annoy or disturb," for the purposes
of this subsection, shall be defined as howling, crying or similar
noise extending for a period of 10 minutes or more or intermittently
for 30 minutes or more. A violation of this subsection shall subject
the owner of the offending cat to the penalties for violations of
this Article.
A.
Impounding, right of entry and notice to owner.
(1)
Any borough official of the borough empowered to perform any duty
under this Article is hereby authorized to take into custody and impound
any of the following dogs or cats:
(a)
Any dog or cat off the premises of the owner which such appropriate
officer has reason to believe is a stray.
(b)
Any dog running at large upon the public streets, public parks,
public buildings, or in any other public place within the borough.
(c)
Any dog or cat off of the premises of the owner without a current
registration tag on its collar.
(d)
Any female dog in season off of the premises of the owner.
(e)
Any cat that has not been altered or sterilized.
(2)
If any dog or cat impounded and seized that is wearing a registration
tag attached to its collar or harness, having inscribed on it or attached
to it the name and address of any person or the owner of the dog,
a notice shall be given in writing and served on the premises of the
person or owner within 24 hours of the seizure stating that the dog
or cat has been seized and will be liable to be disposed of or destroyed
if not claimed within seven days after the service of the notice.
Notice may be served either by delivering it in person on whom it
is to be served or by leaving it at the person's usual or last
known place of abode or at the address given on the dog's or
cat's collar or by forwarding it by mail in a prepaid letter
addressed to that person at such address.
(3)
Any officer authorized or empowered to perform any duty under this
Article is hereby authorized to go upon any premises to seize for
impounding any such dogs or cats when such officer is in immediate
pursuit of such animal.
B.
Destruction of impounded dogs or cats. When any dog or cat has been
detained for seven days after notice as set forth above has been given,
or has been detained for seven days after seizure when notice has
not been given due to the owner of such animal being unknown, and
that the owner or person keeping or harboring the dog or cat whose
name is on the tag of the registration has not claimed the dog or
cat and paid all expenses incurred by reason of its detention, including
any applicable redemption, maintenance, or other fees, and the appropriate
licensing fees paid in full and proof of vaccination produced, the
dog or cat may be destroyed in an appropriate and humane manner or
may be adopted by a responsible party. All fees as set forth herein
shall be paid to the borough official empowered to receive such fees.
A.
Biting of person by dog or cat. When any dog or cat bites a person,
the borough 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 Borough Health Officer, Officer of the County Board of Health, or borough official 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, an 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 borough official, and a copy shall be provided to the owner and individual bitten by the animal upon its release.
A.
The borough official shall enforce the provisions of this Article.
Nothing herein shall prohibit a private citizen from bringing or signing
a complaint for an alleged violation of this Article.
B.
Compliance with requirements. Any owner of an animal within the borough,
by the act of owning such animal does thereby authorize the borough
official to enter the property where such animal is kept to investigate
any alleged or suspected violation of any provision of this Article.
No person shall hinder, molest, or interfere with anyone authorized
or empowered to perform any duty under this Article.
Any person found to be in violation or found to have failed
to comply with any of the provisions of this Article shall, upon conviction
thereof, be subject to a fine of not less than one hundred dollars
($100) and not more than $1,000 and court costs; 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.
[Added 3-20-2019 by Ord.
No. 2-2019]
Gloucester County Animal Control Officers (GCACO), or other
designate, may investigate, and/or require compliance for violations
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:22. In the event the GCACO, or designate 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.
