[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Delaware as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Noise — See Ch. 252.
Proof of payment prior to issuance of licenses or permits — See Ch. 326, Art. I.
Animals — See Ch. 360.
[Adopted 9-25-1950 (Sec. 5-3 of the 1985 Revised General Ordinances)]
No person shall be permitted to keep, maintain or have in their possession within the Township more than 25 hogs over the age of three months, nor more than 75 pigs under the age of three months.
No person shall be permitted to haul, carry or transport by any means whatsoever, any garbage, or any decaying or vegetable substance to be used for the purpose of feeding or maintaining swine of any type within the Township.
A. 
Any violation of this article shall be enforced by complaint upon oath or affirmation by any person before any municipal judge within the Township, of if there be no such officer, before a like officer of the County of Hunterdon, who shall upon the complaint being filed, issue a process in the nature of a summons or a warrant against the person charged, and such process, when in the nature of a warrant, shall be returnable forthwith and when in the nature of a summons shall be returnable in not less than five days nor more than 10 days, and either a summons or a warrant shall state the nature of the alleged violation.
B. 
Upon conviction, the municipal judge or other proper officer may prescribe a penalty of not more than $100 nor less than $50 and the form of the judgment shall be as provided by Title 26, Chapter 3, Section 76, of the Revised Statutes, and in cases of nonpayment, the defendant may be incarcerated in the county jail as provided by law.
[Adopted by Ord. No. 1992-15 (Sec. 5-1 of the 1985 Revised General Ordinances)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL
A dog or cat.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Any individual or agency authorized by the Delaware Township Board of Health to enforce the provisions of this article. Further, it includes any deputy or assistant of the Animal Control Officer, or persons designated from time to time as the Acting Animal Control Officer.
BITE
To seize with the teeth or jaws so as to enter, nip or grip the person or animal seized; also to cut, wound, pierce or to impress deeply the person or animal seized.
DOG
Any dog, bitch or spayed bitch.
DOG LICENSE AGENT
An official appointed by the Township Committee of the Township of Delaware to issue animal licenses and collect the respective fees.
DOG NUISANCE
Habitual barking or crying.
HARBOR
To provide with temporary quarters, shelter or refuge and to give nourishment on a temporary basis for a period which exceeds 10 days.
LICENSING AGE
Any animal which has attained the age of seven months or which possesses a set of permanent teeth.
NEUTERED
Rendered permanently incapable of reproduction as certified by a licensed veterinarian.
OWNER
When applied to the proprietorship of a dog or cat, shall include every person having a right of property or custody in such animal, and every person who has such animal in his or her keeping, or who harbors or maintains, or knowingly permits these animals to remain on or about any premises occupied by that person(s).
OWNER'S PREMISES
Includes the building and/or the plot of land on which said building stands in which the owner of a dog or cat has a place of abode or place of business in the Township.
VICIOUS DOG
Any dog as defined in this section which attacks and bites, or attempts to attack and bite, persons or other animals without being incited to do so; further, any dog displaying such fierceness or ferocity as to indicate that it is a threat to the safety of persons.
A. 
The position of Animal Control Officer (ACO) is hereby established under the control and supervision of the Delaware Township Board of Health. The duties of the Animal Control Officer shall include the enforcement of the measures and provisions that control dogs contained in N.J.S.A. 4:19-1 et seq. and any amendments thereof, and the provisions of this article.
B. 
It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer to apprehend and take into custody and impound, or cause to be taken into custody and impounded, any dog found running at large contrary to the provisions of § 124-6C, and to impound such dog in a suitable place. A complete registry of all such dogs so seized shall be made, which shall include the breed, color and sex of such dog and whether it's licensed. If licensed, the name and address of the owner and the number of the license tag shall be recorded. A copy of said registry shall be maintained by the Animal Control Officer.
C. 
No person shall hurt, molest or interfere with the Animal Control Officer or anyone else authorized or empowered to perform any duty under this article.
D. 
No person performing duties as Animal Control Officer shall be subject to arrest for trespassing as provided in N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.17 and 4:19-15.18.
A. 
No person shall keep within the limits of the Township of Delaware any vicious dog. Any such dog found within the limits of the Township may be seized by any police officer or by the Animal Control Officer and be impounded as hereinafter specified. However, if any dangerous or vicious dog is found "at large" and cannot be seized and impounded, such dog may be slain by any police officer or the ACO. It is further provided that when any dog determined to be vicious is taken off the owner's property, it should be securely restrained, as necessary, in addition to a leash or chain.
B. 
No person shall keep within the Township of Delaware any dog causing a habitual nuisance by disturbing the peace and quiet of the neighborhood in which it shall be kept, or habitual damage to private property.
C. 
No owner of any dog shall permit such dog, whether running at large or upon leash, chain or lead, to be upon private property other than the premises of the owner without the consent of the owner of said private property.
D. 
Any officer or agent authorized or empowered to perform any duty under this article is hereby authorized to go upon any premises to seize any dog or cat which he/she may lawfully seize and impound when such officer is in immediate pursuit of such animals. The only exception being if the animal is on the premises of the owner and said owner is present and forbids seizure.
E. 
If any dog or cat seized or impounded in accordance with the provisions of this article is wearing a collar or harness having inscribed thereon, or attached thereto, the name and address of any person or registration tag of the owner, the ACO shall forthwith serve upon the owner notice that the dog has been seized and will be liable to be disposed of or destroyed if not claimed within seven days after the service of this notice.
F. 
When any dog or cat has been seized in accordance with the provisions of this article and has been detained for seven days after such notice, and if the owner or person keeping or harboring said dog has not claimed said dog and paid all expenses incurred by reason of its detention as hereinafter specified, the ACO may cause the dog to be destroyed in a manner causing as little pain as possible.
G. 
A fine of $15 shall be paid to the Township of Delaware as administrative expenses incurred by reason of detention, as well as all actual detention costs incurred. The charge specified herein shall be paid to the dog license agent and a receipt shall be delivered to the person paying such charges, which will be the authority for the ACO to release the animal to the owner or person claiming such animal.
A. 
No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain any dog or cat over seven months of age within Delaware Township, unless such dog or cat is vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. The provisions of this section do not apply to animals held by a state or federal licensed research facility, or a veterinary establishment where dogs or cats are received or kept for diagnostic, medical, surgical, or other treatments, or licensed animal shelters, pounds, kennels, or pet shops. Further, any animal may be exempted from the requirements of such vaccination for a specified period of time by the Board of Health upon presentation of a veterinarian's certificate stating that because of an infirmity or other physical condition, or regimen of therapy, the inoculation of such animal would be deemed inadvisable.
B. 
A certificate of vaccination shall be issued to the owner of each animal vaccinated on a form recommended and approved by the Delaware Township Board of Health. All dogs and cats shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian of the State of New Jersey in accordance with the latest Compendium of Animal Rabies Vaccines and Recommendations for Immunization, published by the National Association of the Public Health Veterinarians, except as provided for in Subsection C.
[Amended 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
C. 
Any animal may be exempted from the requirements of such vaccination for a specific period of time by the Delaware Township Board of Health, upon presentation of a veterinarian's certificate stating that because of an infirmity or other physical condition or a regimen of therapy, the vaccination of such animal shall be deemed inadvisable.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
A. 
No person shall keep or harbor within the limits of the Township of Delaware any dog without first obtaining a license to be issued by the dog license agent upon application by the owner and payment of the prescribed fee. No person shall keep or harbor any dog in said Township except in compliance with the provisions of this article and the provisions for the control of dogs contained in N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.1 et seq., and any amendments thereof.
B. 
Any person who shall own or harbor any dog of licensing age within the Township of Delaware shall in the month of January, and annually thereafter, apply for and procure from the dog license agent a license and official registration tag for such dog so owned, kept or harbored and shall place upon each such dog so owned, a collar or harness with the registration tag securely fastened.
C. 
The person applying for the license and registration tag shall pay a fee of $8 for each dog; $6.80 shall be retained by the Township of Delaware for the Dog Trust Fund and $1.20 shall be sent to the New Jersey State Board of Health for rabies control pursuant to the provisions contained in N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.1 et seq. and any amendments thereof. For each annual renewal, the fee for the said license registration tags and renewals thereof shall expire on the last day of February in each year. Any dog owner or person harboring a dog or found to have an unlicensed dog by the Township of Delaware Animal Control Officer or any other official after March 1 shall be required to pay an additional $30 delinquent fee, plus the required license fee as provided in this article for their dog license. An additional fee of $3 per dog (not including Seeing Eye dogs) shall be charged by the State of New Jersey for any unspayed or unneutered dog that is licensed. The owner of any newly acquired dog of licensing age shall make application for license and registration tag for such dog within 10 days after such acquisition.
[Amended 5-7-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-05BH; 12-5-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-26BH]
D. 
If a license tag has been misplaced or lost, the dog license agent may issue a duplicate license and/or registration tag for that particular dog at a fee of $2.
E. 
Any person who owns or maintains a cat of licensing age shall, during the month of January each year, apply for and procure from the Dog License Agent an official certificate of registration as to each cat so owned or maintained. The certificate shall set forth the date and type of vaccination and who performed same. A fee of $7 will be collected for each certificate. All cats owned or maintained in a single household may be registered under a single certificate. Any cat owner found to have an unregistered cat(s) after February 1 shall be required to pay an additional $10 delinquent fee, plus the required registration fee provided in this article.
[Amended 5-7-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-05BH]
F. 
Cat registration forms shall be furnished by the Township and shall be numbered serially and shall bear the year of issuance and the name of the Township.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
G. 
Proof of licensing shall be produced by any person owning, keeping, maintaining or harboring a dog or cat upon request of any health official, police officer or Animal Control Officer.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
H. 
Leashing; accumulation of feces on property.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
(1) 
No person shall permit a dog or cat to be outside his or her property unless being led on a leash. The owner of such animal shall be responsible for removing all feces from all property other than his or her own when walking such animal.
(2) 
No person shall permit any accumulation of animal feces to create a public health nuisance on his/her own property.
[Amended 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
I. 
No person owning or keeping an animal shall permit such animal to become a public nuisance as defined herein.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
J. 
No person shall abandon or injure any animal of any age or permit an animal to become a stray.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
K. 
No person shall harbor any unlicensed or stray animal or make food or shelter available to such animal.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
L. 
In the event any person, by feeding such strays, causes the need for more than four animal removals by the Animal Control Officer or his designee within one month from the area near to the property on which the strays are being fed, the Animal Control Officer may seek the Board of Health to tax the costs of such removal against the property owner of such property.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
M. 
There shall not be permitted more than five cats of three months of age or over to be kept or maintained on any residential or business property in the Township of Delaware. For every three acres, a property owner or tenant may keep one additional licensed cat. This section shall not be deemed to prevent the renewal of any license for any cat duly licensed as of the effective date of this article.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
N. 
Any person who owns or keeps any animal located within the Township of Delaware shall exercise sufficient and proper care and control over such animal at all times so as to prevent the animal from becoming a public nuisance or otherwise violating this chapter.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
O. 
Every owner of a licensed animal must immediately report to the Board of Health any animal showing a change in disposition or an illness suggesting that it might have rabies, or any cat that bites another animal or human. Such animal shall be tested and quarantined for a period of 10 days. Animals evidencing a change in disposition or an illness suggesting that it may have rabies may be required to have such animal examined by a licensed veterinarian. Any cost incurred in quarantining such animal or veterinary service examination shall be paid for by the owner of such animal.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
P. 
Except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, any person who violates or who fails or refuses to comply with this chapter shall be liable to a penalty according to § 124-10.
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
Q. 
All premises on which animals governed by this article are kept must be maintained in a sanitary condition. An unsanitary condition shall be deemed to exist by any agent of the Board of Health in the following circumstances:
[Added 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
(1) 
The keeping of animals above in a manner that may foster the breeding of insects or rodents or germination of bacteria or other infectious microbes.
(2) 
The keeping of animals above in a manner that may create foul and noxious odors as well as disturbing noises.
(3) 
The keeping of animals in an environment that may promote the spread of disease from animal to animal.
A. 
Any person who keeps or operates or proposes to establish a kennel, a pet shop, a shelter or a pound shall apply to the Clerk of the Township for an application to the Board of Adjustment for a variance. The annual license fee for such establishment providing accommodations for 10 or less animals shall be $10 and for more than 10 animals shall be $25.
B. 
Any person who fails to comply with the regulations promulgated by the Board of Health or County Health Department governing the sanitary conduct and operation of kennels, pet shops, shelters and pounds, to preserve sanitation therein and prevent the spread of rabies and other diseases of dogs and cats, within and from such establishments, shall be liable to a penalty.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
C. 
In addition to the requirements imposed herein, the requirements of Chapter 326, Article I, shall also apply.
[Amended 6-5-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9BH]
Any person violating the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by fines as specified: first offense, $75 to $250, second offense, $150 to $500, third offense, $300 to $1,000.