S3402

An Act concerning the care and euthanizing of certain animals and supplementing P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.1 et seq.).

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 27 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.27), or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto to the contrary, whenever a certified animal control officer, municipal humane law enforcement officer, county humane law enforcement officer, or other law enforcement officer seizes a cat or dog which the officer places in the care of a licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other establishment providing veterinary care to sick or injured animals because the officer believes the cat or dog is sick or injured and outside of the control of an owner, the licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other establishment providing veterinary care to sick or injured animals that receives the cat or dog shall hold the cat or dog and care for it for at least seven days.

b. During the seven days that the licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other establishment providing veterinary care to sick or injured animals holds and cares for the animal pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the officer that seized the cat or dog shall make every reasonable effort to:

(1) identify the owner or custodian of the property on which the cat or dog was seized and the possible owner of the cat or dog;

(2) notify the owner or custodian of the property and the possible owner of the animal that the animal was seized and placed under veterinary care, and identify the location where the animal is under veterinary care; and

(3) unite the cat or dog with its owner.

c. (1) If the owner of the cat or dog is not identified after seven days have elapsed and the animal is beyond recovery as determined by a licensed veterinarian, the cat or dog may be euthanized.

(2) If the cat or dog has recovered sufficiently to be adopted, as determined by a licensed veterinarian, then the licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other establishment providing veterinary care to sick or injured animals may have the cat or dog impounded at a shelter, pound, or animal rescue organization facility as provided in section 16 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.16).

(3) If the owner of the cat or dog is identified and the cat or dog is reclaimed by its owner, the licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other establishment providing veterinary care to sick or injured animals may seek payment from the owner of reasonable costs of care incurred by the licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other establishment providing care to sick or injured animals to provide necessary care to the animal.

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill would require that, whenever a certified animal control officer, municipal humane law enforcement officer, county humane law enforcement officer, or other law enforcement officer seizes a cat or dog and places the animal in the care of a licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other such establishment providing care to sick or injured animals because the officer believes the cat or dog is sick or injured and outside of the control of an owner, the licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other such establishment providing care to sick or injured animals that receives the cat or dog is required to hold the cat or dog and care for it for at least seven days. The bill also specifies that the exemption from regulation by P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.1 et seq.) for veterinarians and other establishments providing care to sick or injured animals would not apply to the requirements of the bill.

The bill also requires that the officer that seized the cat or dog make every reasonable effort to:

1) identify the owner or custodian of the property on which the cat or dog was seized and the possible owner of the cat or dog;

2) notify the owner or custodian of the property and the possible owner of the animal that the animal was seized and placed under veterinary care, and identify the location where the animal is under veterinary care; and

3) unite the cat or dog with its owner.

Finally, the bill provides that:

1) if the owner of the cat or dog is not identified after seven days have elapsed and the animal is beyond recovery as determined by a licensed veterinarian, the cat or dog may be euthanized;

2) if the cat or dog has recovered sufficiently to be adopted as determined by a licensed veterinarian, the licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other such establishment providing care to sick or injured animals may have the cat or dog impounded at a shelter, pound, or animal rescue organization facility as provided pursuant to section 16 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.16); and

3) if the owner of the cat or dog is identified and the cat or dog is reclaimed by its owner, the licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other such establishment providing care to sick or injured animals may seek payment from the owner of reasonable costs of care incurred by the licensed veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or other such establishment providing care to sick or injured animals to provide necessary care to the animal.