[Adopted 11-24-1998 by Ord. No. 98-13 as Ch. 55, Art. I, of the 1998 Code]
[Amended 5-13-2025 by Ord. No. 25-10]
A. 
Nonpotentially dangerous dogs. Every person owning, keeping or harboring a dog of licensing age shall obtain a license and official metal registration tag therefor from the Health Department of the Township of Ewing. The Township shall offer an annual dog license and a three-year dog license. Beginning in 2026, all dog licenses must be renewed annually or tri-annually by January 31st of the license's expiration year. The owner of such dog shall place upon the dog a collar or harness, with the registration tag securely fastened thereto.
B. 
Potentially dangerous dog. Every person owning a dog determined to be potentially dangerous, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 et seq., shall obtain a potentially dangerous dog license and official red identification tag from the Health Department. Said license shall be issued upon the payment of all licensing fees and the certification of the Township's Animal Control Officer that the owner has complied with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 et seq. The owner will secure the red identification tag and tattoo such identification number at the owner's expense and in accordance with law.
C. 
License fee. The person applying for the license shall pay such fees as provided in Chapter 172, Fees, for each dog owned. In acknowledgment of the changing license expiration date, see subsection A above, owners may be subjected to a prorated licensing fee for the first year following the enactment of this section.
D. 
Dog licensing age. For the purpose of this section, the term "dog licensing age" shall mean any dog which has attained the age of seven months or which possesses a set of permanent teeth. The owner of any newly acquired dog of licensing age, or of any dog which attains licensing age, shall make application for license and registration tag for such dog within 10 days after acquisition or age attainment.
E. 
Kennel license. No person shall operate a kennel in the Township of Ewing without obtaining a license from the Health Department. The fee for such license shall be as provided in Chapter 172, Fees.
F. 
Vaccination. No person shall own, possess, harbor or have in custody within the Township any dog over six months of age, unless such dog has been vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Such vaccination shall be repeated within the range of known immunization or annually thereafter and shall consist of the recommended dosage as prescribed by the manufacturer, who shall be licensed by the Veterinary Biologics Division, ARS, United States Department of Agriculture; provided, however, that any dog may be exempted from the requirement of such vaccination for a special period of time by the Health Department upon the presentation of a certificate from a licensed veterinarian stating that by reason of age, infirmity or other physical condition, the vaccination of such dog, for such specified period of time, is contraindicated, and provided further that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the vaccination of any dogs located in and confined to duly recognized and licensed kennels, dog pounds, pet shops, shelters or veterinary hospitals where dogs are offered for sale as provided by the laws of the State of New Jersey.
G. 
Free vaccination. The Health Official is authorized and empowered to provide free vaccination of dogs at a suitable clinic or place designated by such official and to be conducted by a licensed veterinarian. The Health Official is further authorized and empowered to make and adopt such rules and regulations, not inconsistent or in conflict with the terms and provisions of this section, as the official may deem necessary and proper for the enforcement of this section.
H. 
Issuance of license. No license required for the owning and keeping of dogs by virtue of any law of the State of New Jersey or ordinances of the Township of Ewing shall be issued to any person unless a certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian on a form supplied by the Health Official and available at the Health Department is presented to and filed with the Health Department showing that such dog has been vaccinated against rabies in the manner provided herein. The duration of immunity for rabies set forth in the aforesaid certificate must coincide with or extend beyond the term of the license.
No person shall suffer or permit his or her dog to run at-large in the Township of Ewing. Every dog when on the streets or in a public place in the Township shall be on a leash that is securely fastened.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to protect the health, safety and welfare of all those frequenting this Township by preventing the needless health hazards and nuisances caused by dog feces upon public and private property located within the Township.
B. 
Permission of property owner. No person, agency or institution owning, harboring, keeping or in charge of any dog shall cause, suffer or allow such dog to soil, defile, defecate or commit any nuisance upon any public or private property whatsoever, except with the express authority or permission of the owner of the property.
C. 
Curbing of dogs. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A above, it shall be permissible for the person in control of any dog or dogs to allow said dog to deposit feces within the paved portion of any public street under and subject to the following conditions:
(1) 
The person in control of said dog or dogs shall have in his or her possession appropriate sanitary means by which he or she can collect and remove any feces deposited by said dog or dogs.
(2) 
The person in control of said dog or dogs shall immediately remove all feces deposited by said dog or dogs in a sanitary manner and shall dispose of such feces in a sanitary manner and in a way so as not to interfere with the rights of others.
(3) 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to a guide dog or Seeing Eye dog which is in the sole control of a blind person.
D. 
Complaints. Complaints against violators of this section may be filed by any citizen, as well as by an officer of the Township Police Department or the Township Animal Control Officer.
[Amended 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 06-05]
A. 
The Mayor, through the Business Administrator, will appoint an Animal Control Officer certified pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16(a) and N.J.A.C. 8:23A-2.1 et seq. The Animal Control Officer shall have such powers and perform such duties relating to the position as from time to time shall be prescribed by ordinance, by law and by direction of the Mayor. Compensation shall be determined by the Mayor.
B. 
An Animal Control Officer of the Township of Ewing who has been certified as an Animal Cruelty Investigator pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16a is hereby authorized to investigate and sign complaints, arrest violators and otherwise act as an officer for detection, apprehension and arrest of offenders against the animal control, animal welfare and animal cruelty laws of the state and ordinances of the Township. An Animal Control Officer who has been certified as an Animal Cruelty Investigator shall have all the powers and authority set forth in N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16c.
C. 
An Animal Control Officer who has been certified as an Animal Cruelty Investigator who signs a complaint, issues a summons, makes an arrest or otherwise acts pursuant to his authority under N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16c shall forward within five business days a copy of that complaint, summons or arrest warrant or report to the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and shall forward a report of any related court action within 30 calendar days of final disposition.
A. 
The Chief of Police or Animal Control Officer or any designee is empowered and authorized to take into custody and impound any dog as provided in N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16.
[Amended 3-10-2009 by Ord. No. 09-04]
B. 
Any dog so taken into custody shall be forthwith delivered to a licensed veterinarian having facilities for its detention or to a licensed kennel or pound. Any dog believed to be vicious or potentially dangerous shall be subject to the procedures set forth at N.J.S.A. 4:19-18 et seq., and any amendments thereto.
C. 
If any dog taken into custody wears a collar or harness, the name and address of any person or a registration tag, or if the owner or the person keeping or harboring such dog is known, the Chief of Police or Animal Control Officer or designee shall forthwith notify the person whose address is given on the collar or harness or, if known, the owner or the person keeping or harboring such dog, that the dog has been taken into custody and will be liable to be offered for adoption or destroyed if not claimed within seven days after the giving of such notice. Such notice shall be given in writing.
D. 
Such person shall be entitled to redeem the dog within seven days after the giving of notice, upon establishing that person's title to the dog to the satisfaction of the Animal Control Officer, and if the dog was unlicensed or untagged at the time of its seizure, upon producing a license and registration tag for the dog, and upon paying to the Clerk a redemption fee and all expenses incurred by reason of the dog's detention, including maintenance costs not exceeding $4 per day.
E. 
If any dog taken into custody shall not be redeemed as aforesaid, it shall be offered for adoption or destroyed in a humane manner, as the licensed veterinarian, kennel or pound shall see fit, or offered for adoption seven days after seizure. At the time of adoption, the right of ownership in the dog shall transfer to the new owner.
[Added 4-14-2015 by Ord. No. 15-08]
A. 
A person owning, harboring, keeping or in charge of any dog shall provide the animal access to adequate protection from extreme cold or heat that poses a threat to the animal's health or well-being. Whether an animal is provided adequate protection from extreme cold or heat shall be based on, among other things, the dog's size, breed, age and condition as determined by the Township Animal Control Officer. This provision shall be enforceable by the Township Police Department or the Township Animal Control Officer. Citizens aware of violations of this section shall notify the Township Health Officer.
B. 
Failure to provide a dog necessary care in instances of extreme cold or heat shall be deemed an act of animal cruelty. Violators shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article III, General Penalty, for each offense or as otherwise provided in N.J.S.A. 4:22-26.
[Amended 11-9-2010 by Ord. No. 10-14]
A. 
Penalties for failure to pay for license renewals are set forth in Chapter 172, Fees.
B. 
Any person violating § 97-2, Running at large, or § 97-3, Curbing of dogs, of this article shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article III, General Penalty, for each offense.