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LEGISLATIVE REPORT
April 2008
NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATION
A1591 prohibits certain breeding and sales practices; requires persons
selling cats or dogs to provide certain information; and provides
penalties. Primary Sponsors are Neil Cohen and Joan Voss. Last year this
bill was A3401; which was introduced in July 2006 and never came out of
committee. It was then pre-filed for introduction on January 8, 2008 at
which time it was referred to the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources
Committee. It defines a breeder as one who offers for sale more than 5 cats
or dogs per year. No one may sell more than 25 cats or dogs per year for
use as pets. The bill contains requirements for maintenance of your
facility. The fines for violations are very high.
A1603 revises the vicious and
potentially dangerous dog law. It is designated Congo’s Law; Congo is the
German Shepherd Dog in Princeton who bit the gardener when the dog thought
his mistress was being attacked. Primary Sponsors are Neil Cohen, Patrick
Diegan, Richard Merkt, and Declan O’Scanlon. Last year’s bills were A4597
and S3010. The bill defines “provoked” and “unprovoked.” Under the bill,
the court has an alternative to destroying the dog if the public is
protected by the alternative.
S971 increases sterilization
and animal control programs and establishes a dog license surcharge.
Primary sponsor is Senator Jeff Van Drew. Last session’s bill was
A3542. This year’s bill was introduced in January and was referred to the
Senate Economic Growth Committee. This is the bill that requires dogs and
cats to be spayed before being reclaimed from a pound or shelter unless the
owner can claim an exemption. Senator Van Drew recognizes that the
exemptions are either improbable (proof that the dog has been shown within
the last year) or impossible (that the dog is registered as a show dog or
that the owner is a professional licensed AKC breeder) and will be changing
the wording. As the bill is written the surcharge only applies to dog
licenses, but will be used to fund spaying and neutering of dogs and cats.
At the April Delegates’ meeting, it
was reported that Dave Van Vorst of the Keysteone English Springer Spaniel
Club lives in Sen. Van Drew’s territory and had met with the Senator to
express his views and those of the Federation. There will be a follow-up
meeting later in April with the Federation and representatives from some
state offices to discuss revisions.
Two areas of the bill are paramount
to Sen. Van Drew in any revision: targeting irresponsible owners and
funding. The Delegates proposed that when an individual reclaims an animal,
they must show proof of residence. They further proposed that the funding
come from those reclaiming an animal as they are the ones using the
service. It was agreed that the first time someone from that residence
reclaims an animal it be free (no surcharge to the shelter’s normal fee to
reclaim an animal) and that after that: 2nd time - $75 surcharge;
3rd time - $150 surcharge; 4th time - $225 surcharge;
5th time - $300 surcharge and the animal must be sterilized.
There should be an exemption with proof of extenuating circumstances such
as weather conditions which destroyed one’s fencing or police report of
maliciousness on one’s property.
A conference call with Sen. Van Drew
was held April 22. Present were the Senator, Dave Van Vorst (who was
instrumental in securing the call), Laureen Camisi (NJFDC Delegate of
Keystone English Springer Spaniel Club, who put Dave in touch with the NJFDC
President), Nikki Bermea (Bulldog Club of Philadelphia, who lives in
Van Drew’s territory and had spoken with him in getting then Asm. Van Drew
to withdraw a bill a couple of years ago), Barbara Wicklund
(President Berkshire Valley Basset Club, NJFDC’s delegate to the Governor’s
Domestic Animal Council), and Priscilla Gabosch, President of NJFDC.
Sen. Van Drew accepted our proposed
scale of surcharges, but said it would not cover the funding he’s looking
for. His proposed $7 surcharge to dog licenses was calculated using the
current number of dog licenses. After discussion he indicated he intended
to withdraw the bill and work with Asm. Linda Greenstein, who had introduced
similar legislation in the last session. He will keep us in the loop as he
goes forward.
S979 requires bittering agent
to be added to certain engine coolants and antifreeze to render it
unpalatable. Primary sponsors are Jeff Van Drew and Fred Madden It was
introduced in January 2008 and referred to the Senate Economic Growth
Committee. There is an identical bill in the Assembly. A1577, sponsored by
Neil Cohen, Linda Stender and Joan Voss; it was pre-filed for introduction
on January 8, 2008 at which time it was referred to the Assembly Environment
and Solid Waste Committee. .Last session the.bill was A319. Dogs have
been lost when antifreeze has been ingested and we should all support this
bill.
S1396 clarifies failure to
provide minimum care to an animal constitutes animal cruelty. Primary
sponsor is Senator Jeff Van Drew. There is an identical bill in the
Assembly. A2536, sponsored by Reed Gusciora, the Deputy Majority Leader.
The Senate bill was introduced on March 3 and referred to the Senate
Economic Growth Committee. Minimum care is defined with regard to food,
access to water, access to an enclosure with adequate bedding to protect
against cold and dampness, protection from extreme weather conditions,
veterinary care, and access to a clean and adequate exercise area.
A2649, The Animal Cruelty
Bill was not pre-filed for introduction in 2008.
LOCAL LEGISLATION
None
reported.
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