This chapter shall be known as the "Borough of Glassboro Animal Control Ordinance."
The words hereinafter defined shall have the meanings herein prescribed for the purposes of this article as follows:
ABANDONED ANIMAL An animal of any age which has been left unattended, unclaimed, unlicensed, or at large for a period of 72 hours or more.
ANIMAL For the purposes of this article, an animal refers to a dog, cat, or domesticated animal.
ANIMAL HOUSING A structure used for housing an animal outdoors on private property or business property.
AT LARGE An unleashed animal off the premises of the owner.
BOROUGH OFFICIAL Any Borough Code Enforcement Official, Glassboro Police Department Officer, Gloucester County Animal Control Officer, the Municipal Clerk, or any other official or person assigned or designated by the Mayor and Council.
CAT Any animal of the feline species (Felis catus).
COMMERCIAL KENNEL 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.
DOG Any animal of the canine species (Canis familiaris), except dingoes.
DOG OR CAT OF LICENSING AGE Any dog or cat which has attained the age of seven months or which possesses a set of permanent teeth.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
DOMESTICATED ANIMAL An animal tamed and adapted to live in close association with and to the benefit of humans.
LEASHED 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.
OWNER 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.
PERSON An individual, firm, partnership, corporation or associations of persons.
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG 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).
PROPERTY A block and lot with an occupied dwelling unit or dwelling units on it.
PUBLIC NUISANCE An animal that causes damage to public or private property or causes harm to any person.
SHELTER An establishment for the confinement of dogs or cats seized under the provisions of this article.
TETHER 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.
VICIOUS DOG 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).
Any dog or cat owner who shall suffer, allow or permit any unlicensed dog or cat to run at large or who shall suffer, allow, or permit any dog or cat, whether licensed or not, to run at large without the tag as provided by law or who shall cause or permit any unlicensed dog or cat to wear such a tag shall be guilty of a violation of this article.
No person shall hinder, molest, or interfere with anyone authorized or empowered to perform any duty under this article.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
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 $100 and not more than $2,000, or imprisoned for a term not to exceed 90 days in the county jail, or community service for up to 90 days, or any combination thereof. Each day of such violation or failure to comply shall constitute a separate offense and, therefore, is not subject to merger either for the purposes of the violation or imposition of fines and penalties.
[Added 9-25-2018 by Ord. No. 18-46]
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 violation of law, or the need arises where an investigation is warranted, then the GCACO shall report said matter to the Municipal Humane Law Enforcement Officer for further action. The GCACO may continue to participate in the investigation as requested or required.