[Adopted as Sec. 4-12 of the 1973 Revised General Ordinances]
No person shall keep any animals in the Township except in accordance with the provisions of this article.
This article shall not apply to the keeping of dogs which are licensed and regulated under the provisions of Article II of this chapter, with the exception of limitation of number as provided in § 39-4 below.
A. 
The premises on which animals are maintained and kept shall meet and conform to the following health standards:
(1) 
Location is such as to preclude odors and sounds from interfering with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property on neighboring premises.
(2) 
Buildings, food storage bins, appliances, equipment, feeding areas and other facilities on premises are constructed and maintained in such fashion as to permit proper cleansing.
(3) 
Water supply is adequate for proper sanitation.
(4) 
Water or other liquid to which mosquitoes may have access is properly treated to prevent their breeding.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 284, Mosquito Breeding Control.
(5) 
Disposition is made of animal wastes, garbage, refuse or vegetable matter deposited upon the premises in such manner as to prevent insect breeding or rodent harborage or pollution of the air or any body of water or the creation of any other unhealthy or unsanitary condition.
(6) 
Rodents or insects hazardous to public health do not exist or reproduce therein or thereon.
(7) 
Adequate measures are taken to prevent animals from escaping.
(8) 
Adequate equipment is available to maintain the premises in a sanitary condition at all times.
B. 
The Health Officer of the Township is authorized to inspect any premises where animals under this section are kept for the purpose of enforcing the provisions herein.
A. 
Dogs and cats. No person shall keep more than three dogs and three cats six months of age or over on any lot that is less than two acres.
B. 
Horses. No person shall keep any horses except on lots greater than two acres. The number shall be limited to such that can reasonably be maintained and kept in compliance with the health standards of § 39-3.
C. 
Pigs. No person shall raise, herd, breed or otherwise keep in any manner pigs, unless such are limited to a maximum of two animals per the first five acres of land. For each acre after the first five, one additional pig may be kept. In no case shall any pigs be kept on lands of less than five acres, and in no case shall any pig, pigsty, run or any shelter for such animals be located closer than 250 feet to any road or highway abutting on such lands or from any boundary thereof.
D. 
Cows and other animals. No person shall keep any cows or other animals, excluding common household pets, except on lots greater than five acres. The number shall be limited to such that can reasonably be maintained and kept in compliance with the health standards of § 39-3.
[Added 9-8-1987 by Ord. No. 28-87]
A. 
No person shall keep, maintain or harbor any pigeons within the Township of Old Bridge, except upon conditions set forth in this section, which conditions are in addition to any restrictions which may be contained in the Zoning Ordinance of the Township, the Sanitary Code and the Building Code.
B. 
Restrictions.
(1) 
Pigeons shall be kept in a suitable house or coop, not more than 800 cubic feet in size. Pigeon houses or coops may have an attached, enclosed runway, but such structures shall be constructed so as to keep pigeons properly confined and prevent their flying about as provided in Subsection B(3). Not more than 100 pigeons shall be kept at any one time.
(2) 
No pigeon house, coop or runway shall be constructed except on lots greater than two acres, and they shall be within the rear yard of the premises and shall be at least 25 feet from the property line. This subsection shall not apply to residents who are members of the International Federation of Homing Pigeons, Inc., or the American Racing Pigeon Union as of the effective date of this section.
(3) 
Pigeons shall not be permitted to fly about and shall be kept within a house, coop or runway at all times, except that carrier or homing pigeons, when a proper permit has been obtained from the Department of Health and Welfare, may be permitted to be exercised and flown outside the enclosure before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. Homing or carrier pigeons under six months of age may be permitted to be outside their enclosure during their training period. Pigeons returning from training flights may do so at any time, provided that they immediately enter their lot. The flying of carrier or homing pigeons may be prohibited in any specific case where it is satisfactorily established that they soil clothes or other property not belonging to their keeper. Such proof shall be established in an action in the Municipal Court on complaint of a person affected by the violation of this provision.
[Amended 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005]
(4) 
Pigeon houses, coops or runways shall be maintained in a proper sanitary condition so as to avoid offensive odors, and no pigeons shall be kept which create loud and excessive noises and sounds. Odors emanating from pigeon houses, coops or runways which are perceptible from adjoining properties, and any noises emitting from pigeons which are audible from adjoining properties, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
C. 
No person shall attempt to attract pigeons by throwing or scattering food for pigeons on public or private property.
D. 
Any person found to be in violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to the penalty provisions of Chapter 1, Article II, Penalty, of the Code of the Township of Old Bridge.