The following words and terms shall have the
meanings herein indicated for the purposes of this chapter.
ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS
Gloucester County Animal Control Officers (GCACO), or other
designee, may investigate, and/ or require compliance for violations
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4: 22. In the event the GCACO, or designee 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 2-27-2019 by Ord. No. 7-2019]
AT LARGE
A dog or cat off the premises of the person owning, keeping
or harboring it and not securely fastened to a tether, leash, cord
or chain or the like, not to exceed eight feet in length, held by
its owner or other person capable of controlling such dog or cat.
CERTIFIED ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
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.
[Amended 3-12-2003 by Ord. No. 4-2003]
DOG
Any dog, bitch or spayed bitch.
DOG OF LICENSING AGE
Any dog which has attained the age of seven months or which
possesses a set of permanent teeth.
[Amended 3-12-2003 by Ord. No. 4-2003]
ENFORCEMENT
The Township 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.
[Added 2-27-2019 by Ord. No. 7-2019]
KEEPER
Any person exercising control over a dog or cat, or permitting
a dog or cat to remain on premises under his/her control.
KENNEL
Any establishment wherein or whereon the business of boarding
or selling dogs or cats, or breeding dogs or cats for sale, is carried
on, except a pet shop.
OWNER
When applied to the proprietorship of a dog or cat, "owner"
shall mean and include every person having a right of property in
such dog or cat and every person who has such dog or cat in his/her
keeping.
PET SHOP
Any place of business which is not part of a kennel, wherein
animals, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles,
rabbits, hamsters or gerbils, are kept or displayed chiefly for the
purpose of sale to individuals for personal appreciation and companionship
rather than for business or research purposes.
[Amended 3-12-2003 by Ord. No. 4-2003]
PIT BULL DOG
A.
The Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog
B.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog.
C.
The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog.
D.
The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of
dog.
E.
Dogs of mixed breed or of other breeds than listed under Subsections
A through
E whose breed or mixed breed is commonly known as pit bulls, pit bull dogs or pit bull terriers.
POUND
An establishment for the confinement of dogs seized either
under the provisions of this chapter or otherwise.
SHELTER
An establishment for the confinement of dogs or cats seized
either under the provisions of this chapter or otherwise.
[Amended 2-27-2019 by Ord. No. 7-2019]
TOWNSHIP OFFICIAL
Any Township Code Enforcement Official, Municipal Humane
Law Enforcement Officer, Township Police Department officer, Gloucester
County Animal Control Officer, the Municipal Clerk, or any other official
or person assigned or designated by Mayor or Council.
[Added 2-27-2019 by Ord. No. 7-2019]
No person shall own, keep or harbor a dog in
the Township of Washington, Gloucester County, except in compliance
with the provisions of this chapter and the following regulations:
A. Wearing of registration tag. All dogs for which licenses
are required by the provisions of this chapter shall wear a collar
or harness with the registration tag for such dog securely fastened
thereto.
B. Use of registration tags. No person, except an officer
in the performance of his/her duties, shall remove a registration
tag from the collar of any dog without the consent of the owner, nor
shall any person attach a registration tag to a dog for which it was
not issued.
C. Interference with official duties. No person shall
hinder, molest or interfere with anyone authorized or empowered to
perform any duty under this chapter.
D. Disturbing the peace. No person shall own, keep, harbor
or maintain any dog which habitually barks or cries so as to disturb
others.
E. Running at large. No person owning, keeping or harboring
any dog or cat shall suffer or permit it to run at large upon the
public streets, in any public park, upon private property other than
that of the owner or on any other public place within the Township.
F. Leashing of dogs. No person owning, keeping or harboring
any dog shall suffer or permit it to be upon the public streets or
in any of the public places of the Township unless such dog is accompanied
by a person over the age of 12 years and is securely controlled by
such person.
G. Property damage. No person owning, keeping or harboring
a dog shall permit or suffer it to do any injury or to do any damage
to any lawn, shrubbery, flowers, grounds, property or other animals.
[Amended 2-27-2019 by Ord. No. 7-2019]
H. Nuisances by dogs. No person owning, harboring, keeping,
walking or in charge of any dog shall cause, suffer, permit or allow
such dog to soil, defile, defecate on or commit any nuisance on any
common thoroughfare, street, sidewalk, passageway, road, bypass, play
area, park, any place where people congregate or walk, upon any public
property whatsoever or upon any private property without the permission
of the owner of the private property in the last instance. If any
such person permits the dog to soil, defile, defecate on or commit
any nuisance in the areas aforesaid, he/she shall immediately remove
and dispose of all feces and droppings deposited by the dog. Removal
shall be in a sanitary manner by shovel, container, disposal bag or
such other sanitary means. In a multiple dwelling complex, the tenant
dog owner shall take his/her dog to only the designated areas for
walking of dogs or other animals which shall be provided and maintained
in a sanitary manner by the management of the complex, if any. On
the dog owner's property, such dog owner shall maintain the property
in a sanitary manner in order to prevent any noxious odors, attraction
of vermin breeding or any other public health nuisance to neighbors.
I. Penned dogs and other animals. Penning dogs or other
animals outside of the home shall comply with N.J.S.A. 4:22-17.5.
[Amended 2-27-2019 by Ord. No. 7-2019]
J. Female dogs. A female dog in season shall be confined
to the house or a pen. When she is walked or exercised she must be
on a leash and controlled by a responsible adult. During the period
a female dog is in season, such dog shall not be chained or tied in
an open yard or area at any time.
K. Annoyances. No owner or person keeping or harboring
a dog or cat, whether licensed or unlicensed, shall suffer or permit
such dog or cat to do any of the following:
(1) Annoy neighbors and/or other persons living within
the immediate vicinity by permitting such dog or cat to bark, howl,
yowl or make other disturbing noises excessively which disturb the
peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
(2) Chase any persons or bicycles, automobiles or other
vehicles upon any public highway or road or in any public place.