The purpose of this article is to protect both the citizens
and animals in the Township of Union from suffering potential severe
and substantial injuries as a result of using a mechanical or artificial
device to trap animals and, therefore, shall be liberally construed
to effectuate the purposes thereof.
It shall be unlawful within the municipal corporation limits of the Township of Union to engage in the activity known as "trapping" by the use of a leg-hold, snare, instant kill body-gripping trap or any other artificial device or mechanism which can cause pain, injury, suffering or death to any animal except as specifically permitted by §
660-16 hereinafter set forth.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
TRAPPING
The intent to capture or kill animal species by the use of
spring traps or other devices intended to capture said animal by virtue
of the use of artificial mechanisms or devices designed to inhibit
their natural movement.
Exceptions are as follows:
A. Humane and lawful trapping by
the Township Animal Control Service of the Township of Union of a
trap sanctioned by the Health Department.
B. Trap must not violate N.J.S.A 23:4-22.1.
C. Health Department traps.
(1) Humane traps on loan from
the Health Department in which a deposit is returned upon the return
of the trap in an undamaged condition. Failure to return the trap
or to return a damaged trap shall be cause for forfeiture of the deposit.
(2) Trap may only be used and
or set Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., unless
expressly authorized by the Health Department. A penalty shall be
charged by the Health Department for any trap set from 3:30 p.m. to
6:00 a.m. or anytime Saturday through Sunday or any legal holidays,
in the amount of $100 per day.
[Amended 4-13-2016]
D. All traps must be labeled conspicuously
with the name, address, and phone number of the individual setting
the trap.
E. All traps must be examined and
checked by the individual who set the trap every 10 hours once an
animal is discovered in a trap, discovery shall be reported to the
Health Department immediately.
F. The Health Department shall respond
to a report of a trapped animal within two hours, or as soon thereafter
as rationally practical under the circumstance.
G. The trapping of rats or mice
shall not be governed by this section and/or chapter.
Whenever a trap, the use of which is prohibited by §
660-14, shall be found within the confines of the Township, the same may be confiscated by any police officer of the Township, the Township Animal Control Service or the Health Officer and his designees.
It shall be the Health Officer and his designees' duty to enforce
the provisions of this article.
Any person or agent authorized or empowered to perform any duty
under this article is hereby authorized to go upon any premises to
enforce the provisions of this article.