[Adopted as Ch. VII of the 1973 Revised General Ordinances]
[1]
Editor's Note: The relevant statutory provisions are found in N.J.S.A. 4:19-15 et seq.
A. 
The word "dog" as used in this article shall apply to and include canines of both sexes.
B. 
All dogs over six months of age and not confined to a licensed kennel kept within the limits of the Township shall be licensed as hereinafter provided.
[Amended 7-20-1981 by Ord. No. 19-81; 10-21-1985 by Ord. No. 48-85; 12-22-1994 by Ord. No. 89-94; 7-24-2002 by Ord. No. 39-02]
A. 
Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a dog of licensing age shall, in the month of January, apply for and procure from the Township Clerk a license and official registration tag for each dog so owned, kept or harbored. The license fee for each dog shall be $8.80, plus $1 per annum registration fee, plus $0.20 for the New Jersey Pilot Clinic Fund and an additional $3 for those dogs not spayed or neutered for the New Jersey Pet Population Control Fund.
[Amended 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005; 3-26-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-06]
B. 
Any person who has kept or harbored a dog within the Township of Old Bridge during the months of January and February and who shall apply for a license on or after March 1 of such year shall pay a late fee of $5 in addition to the cost of the annual license fee.
[Amended 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005]
Dogs kept in kennels need not be individually licensed, provided that the kennel is licensed and the dogs kept therein are not permitted to run at large. "Kennel" shall mean a place where dogs are confined within the boundaries of the premises of the occupant, but no place shall be construed to be a kennel unless it is marked with a kennel name posted in a conspicuous place. The fee for a kennel in which not more than 10 dogs are kept shall be $10. The fee for a kennel in which more than 10 dogs are kept shall be $25. Kennel licenses shall be issued by the Township Clerk for the same periods of time as dog licenses. All dogs over six months of age shall be counted in computing the number of dogs kept in a kennel.
License fees or other moneys collected or received under the provisions of this article, except registration tag fees, shall be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Township within 30 days after collection or receipt and shall be placed in a special account separate from any other accounts of the Township and used for only the purposes recited in N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.11. If not expended for such purposes, such moneys shall be retained and held and ultimately disposed of in the manner in that section provided.
A. 
The Township Clerk shall secure at Township expense metallic tags, or tags of other suitable material, and certificates for delivery to licensees. When a license is issued for an individual dog, the licensee shall be provided with such tag and a certificate. Such tag shall have stamped thereon a number and the year of issue. The certificate shall bear a number corresponding to the number on the tag and in addition thereto shall show the age, color, breed, sex, license tag number, name of dog and name and address of owner. When a license is issued for a kennel, the licensee shall be provided with a certificate only, which certificate shall show the name and address of the owner, location and name of the kennel, year for which the license is issued, number of dogs permitted and the fee paid for same. The Clerk shall keep a copy of all licenses issued. The certificate shall constitute the license.
B. 
Such tag shall be worn by the dog at all times and fastened to the collar. No tag shall be used upon any other dog except the one for which it is issued, nor shall anyone maliciously remove or mutilate the tag. If satisfactory proof is presented that the tag has been lost or stolen, the Clerk shall issue another tag, which shall be noted upon the original certificate and record, upon the payment of an additional fee of $0.50 and return of the original certificate for that licensing year.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
[Added 9-6-1988 by Ord. No. 36-88[1]]
No owner or person having custody of any dog or any other animal shall permit said dog or any other animal to defecate on any school ground, public street, alley, sidewalk, tree bark, park or any other public grounds or any private property within the Township, other than the premises of the owner or person having custody of said dog or other animal, unless said defecation is removed immediately.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
No person owning, keeping or harboring a dog shall permit it to habitually bark or cry so as to annoy any neighbor or other resident. No person owning, keeping or harboring a dog shall permit it to be upon any of the public streets or upon any private property in the Township, except the private property of the person owning, keeping or harboring such dog, or except upon premises where permission has been given by the owner thereof to the person owning, keeping or harboring any such dog to keep it on the private property of the person so giving permission, unless such dog is accompanied by a person over the age of 12 years and is securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six feet long; provided, nevertheless, that the provisions for leashing and attendance shall not apply in farming and hunting areas of the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 300, Noise.
No person owning, keeping or harboring a dog shall permit it to do any injury or to do any damage to any lawn, shrubbery, flowers, grounds or property. Any person who keeps or harbors a dog on premises occupied by him or her, or permits a dog to remain, shall be deemed the owner thereof and liable for the observance of violation of any of the provisions of this article.
Vicious and potentially dangerous dogs are regulated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-17 et seq. The annual license fee for a potentially dangerous or vicious dog shall be $700.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
A. 
The Chief of Police or any person appointed for the purpose by the Administrator shall take into custody and impound or cause to be taken into custody and impounded any dog running at large on any public street or on any private premises when the official or his agent has reason to believe any such dog is a stray dog. Thereafter, provided that at least 72 hours have elapsed from the time of such impounding, such stray dog shall be destroyed or disposed of. The designated official or his agent shall take or cause to be taken into custody and impounded and disposed of in the manner hereinbefore set forth any dog without a current registration tag on his collar, if such dog is off the premises of his owner or off the premises of any person keeping or harboring such dog. He shall take or cause to be taken into custody and impounded and disposed of any unattended female dog in season if such dog is off the premises of its owner or off the premises of any person keeping or harboring such dog.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
B. 
Where dogs have been taken into custody and impounded under the provisions of this section, a reasonable fee, as set from time to time by resolution of the Council, shall be paid to those persons retrieving or adopting the impounded dogs to defray the expense of taking dogs into custody and to provide for their board and keep.
C. 
No dog taken into custody shall be released to the owner or for adoption without proof of a current license having been obtained as required by § 39-7.
A. 
The Township Administrator shall hire a person for a term not to extend beyond December 31 in the year in which such person was hired, who shall act as Animal Control Officer and whose duty it shall be to take into custody at any time all dogs found by him at large within the Township limits in violation of any of the provisions of this article. He shall receive such compensation as the Council shall fix by resolution.
B. 
The Animal Control Officer shall impound the dog and, upon taking any dog into custody, thereafter destroy or dispose of it.
C. 
In addition to apprehending dogs in violation of this article, the Animal Control Officer shall have the full authority and duty to apprehend any animal or creature, as defined under Title 4, Chapter 22 of the statutes, found at large, which is creating a public nuisance, disturbance or hazard for the protection of the public.
D. 
No person shall molest, obstruct or interfere with any person appointed or designated by the Township Administrator to enforce the provisions of this article when such person is engaged in the performance of his duties.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
Dogs used as guides for blind persons and commonly known as "Seeing Eye dogs," dogs used to assist handicapped persons and commonly known as "service dogs" and dogs used to assist deaf persons and commonly known as "hearing ear" dogs shall be registered and licensed in the same manner as other dogs, and shall be subject to all the rules and regulations controlling dogs in the Township, except that the owner or keeper shall not be required to pay any fee therefor.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
A. 
Definition. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMMERCIAL KENNEL
Any establishment wherein or whereon the business of boarding or selling dogs or breeding dogs is carried on, except a pet shop.
B. 
License required. No person shall operate or maintain a commercial kennel within the Township unless such person first receives a commercial kennel license from the Township Clerk.
C. 
License Application and Review by Administrator. Application for a license for a new commercial kennel shall be made in writing to the Township Administrator. Such application shall contain a full and detailed written description of the premises where the establishment is located or proposed to be located, and shall state the purpose for which such kennel is to be maintained or operated. The Administrator may require the applicant to submit drawings, sketches or plans describing the premises. The Administrator shall review and examine the application to determine whether the operation and maintenance of such kennel will comply with the state and local health legislation, regulations, and standards regarding location, construction, operation and sanitation of and at such establishments. The Administrator shall require the applicant to make such changes as may be necessary to effect compliance. If the Administrator determines that the operation and maintenance of such kennel will comply with the state and local health legislation, regulations and standards, he shall then advise the Township Clerk, and upon receipt of the appropriate fee, the Clerk shall issue the license.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
D. 
License term and fees. All licenses issued for a commercial kennel shall expire on June 30 of each year. All applications for annual renewals of commercial kennel licenses shall be made in the month of June. The annual license fee for a kennel and for any renewal thereof shall be $10 for 10 dogs or less and $25 for more than 10 dogs.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
E. 
Approval required for sales, moves, etc. No commercial kennel shall be transferred, sold or conveyed to another person nor shall any such kennel be moved to another location, or its operation substantially changed, without application first being made to the Administrator for his approval. If the Administrator determines that compliance with state and local health legislation, regulations and standards will be maintained, he shall approve such transfer, sale, conveyance, move or change.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
F. 
General regulations. The operation and maintenance of all commercial kennels shall be conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the State Department of Health and Senior Services pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.14. Moreover, the following conditions shall apply:
(1) 
All premises upon which commercial kennels are operated shall be maintained free of any accumulation of filth or source of foulness, including but not limited to the infestation of rodents, flies, fleas, parasites or other insects which may be hazardous to the health or comfort of any of the residents of the Township.
(2) 
All commercial kennels shall have in constant attendance a person to maintain the premises. However, in the event the kennel accommodates less than 10 animals, there shall be daily inspections by the owner or persons maintaining the kennel.
(3) 
There shall be a regular inspection of the premises at least once every three months by a Township health official. The records concerning the operation of the kennel shall be available for the inspection of the health official. The records shall show the type of dogs, the ages of dogs, whether they are registered with the American Kennel Club, and whether the dogs are for sale or for breeding purposes. The health official may require that the records kept provide additional information which he deems necessary.
(4) 
Waste matters, excrement and other unsightly or dangerous articles shall be cleaned away each day. They shall not be burned on the premises nor shall they be buried thereon. At least once a week the kennels shall be washed down with a recognized disinfectant.
(5) 
All commercial kennels shall consist of one or a number of shelters to house the dogs. Adjoining each shelter shall be a fenced-in area known as a "run" upon which the dogs can exercise. The runs shall be generally rectangular in shape and fenced on three sides. The fourth side shall lead into the shelter. An exercise area exclusive of the shelter and run area may be provided.
(6) 
All dogs shall be confined to their shelter and run area except when they are using the exercise area. They shall not be permitted to wander elsewhere on the owner's property or onto the property of neighbors or adjoining landowners.
(7) 
No shelter and run area or exercise area shall be established less than 10 feet from any property line.
(8) 
If a shelter contains dogs classified as small or toy breed in accordance with American Kennel Club specifications, the size of the adjoining run shall be no less than three feet by eight feet, and there shall be no more than seven doghouses therein. The fence enclosing the run shall be four feet high and shall be of a chain-link type or of heavy galvanized welded mesh.
(9) 
If a shelter contains dogs classified as medium or large in accordance with American Kennel Club specifications, the size of the adjoining run shall be no less than four feet by 10 feet, and there shall be no more than three dogs housed therein. The fence enclosing the run shall be six feet high and shall be of chain-link type or of heavy galvanized welded mesh.
(10) 
Mongrels shall be classified as either small, toy, medium or large according to their shoulder height.
(11) 
Fencing for exercise area shall be of such height and strength as to provide for the largest dog accommodated, in accordance with the specifications set forth above.
(12) 
At any one time the use of the exercise area shall be limited to the occupants of one run so that there shall not be overcrowding in the exercise area.
(13) 
All fences required by this section shall closely follow the contour of the ground so that it will not be possible for dogs to crawl under a fence.
(14) 
The surface of the runs shall be composed of cement or macadam of sufficient thickness so it shall not crack. Surrounding the run, there shall be a one-foot-wide border of crushed stone at least six inches deep, provided that the soil underneath is permeable. If the soil is not permeable, the twelve-inch border shall consist of a six-inch depth of sand beneath six inches of crushed stone. As an alternative to a hard surface run as described above, if the ground underneath is permeable, the run may consist of a layer of crushed stone one inch deep.
G. 
Suspension of license. In the event that this section or any provision hereof is violated, the license of the owner or operator of the commercial kennel shall be suspended subject to the licensee's requesting a hearing on the question of whether there shall be a revocation of the license. In the event that no formal request for the hearing is received by the Administrator within two weeks after notice of suspension, the license may then be revoked.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
[Added 10-19-1981 by Ord. No. 27-81; amended 10-15-1990 by Ord. No. 22-90[1]]
Except as provided in N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.19, for a first offense of any section of this article, a fine of $25, for a second offense, a fine not in excess of $35 and for third and subsequent offenses, fines not to exceed $50 shall be assessed.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).
[Added 6-19-1989 by Ord. No. 20-89]
The Township of Old Bridge shall maintain an animal shelter for the purpose of housing and caring for dogs, cats and other domestic animals that have been taken into custody by virtue of running loose, being abandoned or surrendered for adoption or euthanasia.
[Added 6-19-1989 by Ord. No. 20-89]
Operation and control of the animal shelter shall be vested in the Department of Health and Welfare of the Township of Old Bridge.
[Added 6-19-1989 by Ord. No. 20-89]
Utilization of the shelter and its facilities shall be made available to residents of the Township of Old Bridge, and any stray animals which are caught or taken into custody within the confines of the Township of Old Bridge shall be housed and cared for in the shelter.
[Added 6-19-1989 by Ord. No. 20-89; amended 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 05-00]
Upon receiving any animal in custody brought to the shelter by an owner or person (except an Animal Control Officer, police officer or other employee or enforcing agent of the Township of Old Bridge), the following schedule of fees shall apply to the use of the shelter:
A. 
Redemption of unsupervised animals.
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(1) 
For the first redemption of any animal housed in the shelter: $25 plus $10 per day boarding fee.
(2) 
For the second redemption of any animal housed in the shelter: $50 plus $10 per day boarding fee.
(3) 
For the third redemption of any animal housed in the shelter: $100 plus $10 per day boarding fee.
(4) 
For redemption of any animal picked up pursuant to an emergency call: $50 plus administration fee, $10 per day boarding fee, and applicable redemption fee.
B. 
Daily boarding charge, per animal per day: $10.
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
C. 
For the picking up of any animal at a private place for either the owner or custodian of an animal: $25, plus all surrender fees, during normal working hours; $50, plus surrender fees, during nonworking hours.
D. 
For receiving unwanted animals brought to the shelter:
(1) 
Kitten less than nine weeks old: $10.
(2) 
Cats 10 weeks to six months: $30.
(3) 
Cats more than six months: $40.
(4) 
Small and medium dogs: $70.
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(5) 
Large dog: $90.
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(6) 
Extra large dog: $100.
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(7) 
Huge dog (100 or more pounds): $120.
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(8) 
Out of town - space available: $100.
(9) 
Keep for adoption - space available: $35 per week.
E. 
Special services.
(1) 
Holding quarantined animals to be returned to owner:
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30; 12-13-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-35]
(a) 
Kitten less than nine weeks old: $20 plus $10 per day boarding fee.
(b) 
Cats 10 weeks to six months: $50 plus $10 per day boarding fee.
(c) 
Cats more than six months: $60 plus $10 per day boarding fee.
(d) 
Small and medium dogs: $75 plus $10 per day boarding fee.
(e) 
Large dogs: $80 plus $10 per day boarding fee.
(f) 
Extra large dogs: $90 plus $10 per day boarding fee.
(g) 
Huge dogs (100 or more pounds): $95 plus $10 per day boarding fee.
(2) 
Holding quarantined animals for subsequent adoption or euthanasia:
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(a) 
Kitten less than nine weeks old: $20 plus appropriate surrender fees.
(b) 
Cats 10 weeks to six months: $50 plus appropriate surrender fees.
(c) 
Cats more than six months: $60 plus appropriate surrender fees.
(d) 
Small and medium dogs: $75 plus appropriate surrender fees.
(e) 
Large dogs: $80 plus appropriate surrender fees.
(f) 
Extra large dogs: $90 plus appropriate surrender fees.
(g) 
Huge dogs (100 or more pounds): $95 plus appropriate surrender fees.
(3) 
Euthanasia and disposal: $50 per animal; tranquilizer, if needed: $30.
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(4) 
Transportation of animal head to Trenton for rabies examination: $25.
F. 
Adoption of animals.
(1) 
Mixed-breed dogs.
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(a) 
Six weeks to four months old: $50 plus medical expenses.
(b) 
Five months to one year old: $40 plus medical expenses.
(c) 
Over one year old: $30 plus medical expenses.
(2) 
Purebred dogs.
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(a) 
Six weeks to four months old: $100 plus medical expenses paid for animal.
(b) 
Five months to one year old: $90 plus medical expenses paid for animal.
(c) 
Over one year old: $80 plus medical expenses paid for animal.
(3) 
Mixed-breed cats.
(a) 
Six weeks to four months old: $25 plus medical expenses paid for animal.
(b) 
Five months to one year old: $15 plus medical expenses paid for animal.
(c) 
Over one year old: $5 plus medical expenses paid for animal.
(4) 
Purebred cats.
[Amended 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(a) 
Six weeks to four months old: $75 plus medical expenses paid for animal.
(b) 
Five months to one year old: $50 plus medical expenses paid for animal.
(c) 
Over one year old: $25 plus medical expenses paid for animal.
G. 
Medical fees.
[Added 10-25-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-30]
(1) 
K-9: $25.
(2) 
Ferc: $20.
(3) 
Blood test: $30.
(4) 
Wormed: $20.
(5) 
Frontline: $20.
(6) 
Rabies: $30.
[Added 6-19-1989 by Ord. No. 20-89; amended 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 05-00]
The schedule of fees above shall be defined to mean that a daily boarding charge of $8 is for a twenty-four-hour period covering 12:00 midnight to 11:59 p.m. Any portion of a day where the animal is in custody for less than one day will be chargeable as a full day. The sum of all applicable fees and expenses for an animal must be paid prior to the release of the animal
[Added 2-4-1991 by Ord. No. 4-91]
A. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY
Any person or agency designated or certified by the State of New Jersey to enforce the provisions of this section.
ANIMAL
For the purpose of this section, "animal" shall mean dog or cat.
CAT OF LICENSING AGE
Any cat which has attained the age of seven months or which possesses a set of permanent teeth.
CAT
Any member of the domestic feline species; male, female or altered.
CATTERY
Any room or group of rooms, cage or exhibition pen, not part of a kennel, wherein cats for sale are kept or displayed.
LICENSING AUTHORITY
The agency or department of the Township of Old Bridge or any designated representative thereof charged with administering the issuance and/or revocation of permits and licenses under the provisions of this section.
NEUTERED
Rendered permanently incapable of reproduction as certified by a licensed veterinarian.
OWNER
When applied to the proprietorship of a cat, shall include every person having a right of property (or custody) in such cat and every person who has such cat in his or her keeping or who harbors or maintains a cat or knowingly permits a cat to remain on or about any premises occupied by that person.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, partnership, organization or institution commonly recognized by law as a unit.
B. 
Rabies vaccination of cats.
(1) 
Vaccination and license requirement. No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain any cat over seven months of age within the Township of Old Bridge unless such cat is vaccinated and licensed. The provisions of this section do not apply to cats held in a cattery or those held by a state or federally licensed research facility or a veterinary establishment where cats are received or kept for diagnostic, medical, surgical or other treatments or licensed animal shelters, pounds, kennels or pet shops.
(2) 
Vaccination. All cats shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with the latest "Compendium of Animal Rabies Vaccines and Recommendations for Immunization" published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, except as provided for in Subsection B(4).
(3) 
Vaccination certificate. A certificate of vaccination shall be issued to the owner of each animal vaccinated on a form recommended by the state.
(4) 
Exemptions. Any cat may be exempted from the requirement of such vaccination for a specified period of time by the Department of Health and Welfare, 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 cat shall be deemed inadvisable.
[Amended 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005]
C. 
Licensing requirements.
(1) 
Cats must have license number displayed. Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a cat of licensing age shall annually apply for and procure from the Clerk of the municipality, or other official designated by the governing body thereof to license cats in the municipality in which he or she resides, a license and official registration sleeve for each cat so owned, kept or harbored and shall place upon such cat a collar or other device with the license number securely fastened for displayed thereto. Acceptable methods of displaying the license number shall include, but are not limited to, breakaway or elastic collars. License tags or sleeves are not transferable.
(2) 
Time for applying for license. The owner of any newly acquired cat of licensing age or of any cat which attains licensing age shall make application for a licensing tag or sleeve for such cat within 10 days after such acquisition or age attainment. This requirement will not apply to a nonresident keeping a cat within the Township of Old Bridge for no longer than 90 days.
(3) 
Cats brought into jurisdiction. Any person who shall bring or cause to be brought into the Township of Old Bridge any cat licensed in another state for the current year and bearing a registration tag or sleeve and who shall keep the same or permit the same to be kept within the Township of Old Bridge for a period of more than 90 days shall immediately apply for a license and registration tag or sleeve for each such cat.
(4) 
Application; contents; preservation of information. The application shall state the breed, sex, age, color and markings of the cat for which license and registration are sought and whether it is a long- or short-haired variety; also the name, street and post office address of the owner and the person who shall keep or harbor such cat. The information on said application and the registration number issued for the cat shall be preserved for a period of three years by the Clerk or other local official designated to license cats in the municipality.
(5) 
License forms and tags. License forms and official tags or sleeves shall be furnished by the municipality and shall be numbered serially and shall bear the year of the license and the name of the municipality.
(6) 
Evidence of inoculation with rabies vaccine or certification of exemption. Requirement for license: No municipal clerk or other official designated by the governing body of any municipality to license cats therein shall grant any such license and official registration tag or sleeve for any cat unless the owner thereof provides evidence that the cat to be licensed and registered has been inoculated with the rabies vaccine of a type approved by and administered in accordance with the recommendations of the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Human Services, or has been certified exempt as provided by Subsection B(4) above. The rabies inoculation shall be administered by a duly licensed veterinarian or by such other veterinarian permitted by law to do the same.
(7) 
License fee schedule. A license shall be issued after payment of a fee of $13 for each unneutered cat, and $10 for each neutered cat.
[Amended 12-22-1994 by Ord. No. 89-94; 8-14-1995 by Ord. No. 44-95; 7-24-2002 by Ord. No. 39-02; 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005]
(a) 
Any person who has kept or harbored a cat within the Township of Old Bridge during the months of January through April and who shall apply for a license on or after June 1 of such year shall pay a late fee of $5 in addition to the cost of the annual license fee.
(8) 
Fees; renewals; expiration date of license.
(a) 
Licenses from another municipality shall be accepted. The person applying for the license and registration tag and/or sleeve shall pay the fee fixed or authorized. The fee for the renewal of the license and registration tag or sleeve shall be the same as for the original, and said license, registration tag or sleeve and renewal thereof shall expire on April 30 in the following year.
[Amended 8-14-1995 by Ord. No. 44-95]
(b) 
Only one license and registration tag or sleeve shall be required in the licensing year for any cat in the Township of Old Bridge. Any valid New Jersey license tag or sleeve issued by a New Jersey municipality shall be accepted by this municipality as evidence of compliance.
(9) 
Loss of license. If a license tag or sleeve has been misplaced or lost, the Township Clerk may issue a duplicate license and/or registration sleeve for that particular cat at a fee of $0.50.
(10) 
Proof of licensing. Proof of licensing shall be produced by any person owning, keeping, maintaining or harboring a cat upon the request of any health official, police officer, animal control officer or other authorized person.
(11) 
Interfering with persons performing duties under this section. No person shall hinder, molest or interfere with anyone authorized or empowered to perform any duty under this section.
(12) 
Disposition of fees collected. License fees and other moneys collected or received under the provisions of this section shall be forwarded to the Treasurer of the municipality and shall be placed in a special account separate from any of the other accounts of the municipality and shall be used for the following purposes only: collecting, keeping and disposing of cats liable to seizure, for local prevention and control of rabies, providing antirabies treatment under the direction of the Department of Health and Welfare for any person known or suspected to have been exposed to rabies and for administering the provisions of this section. Any unexpended balance remaining in such special account shall be retained until the end of the third fiscal year following and may be used for any of the purposes set forth in this section. At the end of said third fiscal year following and at the end of each fiscal year thereafter, there shall be transferred from such special account to the general funds of the municipality any amount then in such account which is in excess of the total amount paid into the special account during the last two fiscal years next preceding.
[Amended 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005]
[Added 3-27-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-09]
A. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL CONTROL PROVIDER
Any agency contracted or selected by the Township and/or the TNR Committee to coordinate and monitor the TNR program.
[Amended 9-24-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-27]
CAREGIVER
Any person who provides food, water or shelter to or otherwise cares for a cat.
CODE OFFICIAL
Any person or agency employed by or otherwise contracted by the Township who is authorized to investigate violations of laws and regulations concerning cats, and to issue citations in accordance with relevant New Jersey statutory authority and this Code.
DOMESTICATED CAT
A cat that is socialized to humans and is appropriate as a companion for humans.
EAR TIPPING
A straight-line cutting of the tip of the left ear of a cat by a licensed veterinarian while the cat is anesthetized.
FEEDING
To give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any edible material.
FERAL CAT
A cat which is completely or substantially unsocialized to humans. The usual and consistent temperament of a feral cat is extreme fear and resistance to contact with humans. Feral cats are either born in the wild, the offspring of tame or feral cats and not socialized; or formerly tame cats that have been abandoned and have reverted to an untamed state.
FERAL CAT COLONY
An individual feral cat or a group of cats which congregate together outside as a unit. Any non-feral cats that congregate with a multiple-cat colony shall be deemed part of it.
NUISANCE
Disturbing the peace by habitually or continually howling, crying or screaming, or the unreasonable destruction, desecration or soiling of property against the wishes of the owner of the property.
OWNER
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, trust, estate, or any other legal entity.
STRAY CAT
A cat which is regularly off the property of the owner, is not under the physical control and restraint of the owner and is not regularly provided with food by the owner.
SUITABLE SHELTER
A shelter that provides protection from rain, sun, and other elements that is adequate to protect the health of the cat.
TAME CAT
A cat which is socialized to humans and is appropriate as a companion for humans.
TNR
Trap, neuter and return.
TNR COMMITTEE
Any person or entity appointed by the Chief of Police who or which will perform the duties and responsibilities as established in this section. In establishing the TNR Committee, the Chief of Police, or his/her designee, shall select the members, determine the number of members that will comprise the TNR Committee, the tenure of each member and the frequency at which the TNR Committee shall meet. The TNR Committee shall be established within 60 days of March 27, 2019, the date of adoption of this section.
TNR PROGRAM
A program pursuant to which feral and stray cats are trapped, neutered or spayed, vaccinated against rabies, ear tipped and returned to the location where they congregate.
B. 
Feral cat colonies.
(1) 
Feral cat colonies shall be permitted and caregivers shall be entitled to maintain them in accordance with the terms and conditions of this section.
[Amended 9-24-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-27]
(2) 
No feral cat colony shall be permitted to be located within 1,000 feet of the property line of any public or private school located in the Township of Old Bridge.
(3) 
The Township of Old Bridge shall have no liability with regard to the operation and maintenance of any cat colony permitted by this section and all caregivers shall agree to defend and indemnify the Township of Old Bridge in regards to their maintenance of a cat colony.
(4) 
Any cat colony that existed prior to the adoption of the ordinance establishing this section and for which the Township also received a nuisance complaint prior to the adoption of the ordinance, shall first require written approval of all property owners located within five hundred (500) feet of the colony prior to it being permitted to be maintained by a caregiver in accordance with the terms and conditions of this section.
C. 
Animal control provider responsibilities. It shall be the duty of the animal control provider to:
(1) 
Provide training for the cat colony caregivers;
(2) 
Help to resolve any complaints over the conduct of a cat colony caregiver or of cats within a colony; and
(3) 
Be responsible for any cost as provided in any Township agreement with reference to the TNR program.
D. 
TNR Committee responsibilities. It shall be the duty of the TNR Committee to:
(1) 
Help resolve any complaints over the conduct of a colony caregiver or of cats within a colony;
(2) 
Maintain records provided by colony caregivers on the registration, size and location of the colonies, as well as the vaccination and spay/neuter records of cats in the caregiver's colonies;
(3) 
Report semiannually in writing to the Code Official on the status of the colony, including data on the number and gender of all cats in the colony, the number of cats who died or otherwise ceased being a part of the colony during the prior six-month period, the number of kittens born to colony cats and their disposition, the number of cats and kittens spayed and neutered and the number of cats and kittens placed in permanent homes as companion cats.
(4) 
Provide the semi-annual report forms to caregivers and provide assistance upon request by the caregiver in the preparation of the forms.
(5) 
To contract and hire the Animal Control Provider.
[Amended 9-24-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-27]
E. 
Feral cat caregiver responsibilities.
(1) 
It shall be the duty of feral cat caregivers to:
(a) 
Register the feral cat colony with the TNR Committee;
(b) 
Take steps to vaccinate the colony population for rabies and update the required vaccination protocols whenever possible; take steps to get all cats in the colony population spayed/neutered by a licensed veterinarian;
(c) 
Maintain digital photos of each cat in the colony and copies of documents evidencing that the cats have been vaccinated, spayed/neutered and ear tipped; providing food, water and, if feasible, suitable shelter for colony cats;
(d) 
Observe the colony cats and keep a record of any illnesses or unusual behavior noticed in any colony cats;
(e) 
Obtain the written approval of the owner of any property to which the caregiver requires access to provide colony care;
(f) 
Take steps, in the event that kittens are born to a colony cat, to remove the kittens from the colony after they have been weaned, and place the kittens in homes, foster homes, or with animal shelters, rescue organizations or veterinary offices for the purpose of subsequent permanent placement;
(g) 
Report semiannually in writing to the TNR Committee on the status of the colony, the total number of cats in the colony, including data on the number and gender of all cats in the colony, the number of cats who died or otherwise ceased being a part of the colony during the prior six-month period, the number of kittens born to colony cats and their disposition, the number of cats and kittens spayed and neutered and the number of cats and kittens placed in permanent homes as companion cats;
(h) 
Obtain proper medical attention for any colony cat that appears to require it;
(i) 
Undergo training for themselves and their responsible substitutes in the proper management of a colony as developed and verified by the animal control provider;
(j) 
Set up consistent and monitored feeding schedules. Feeding shall be limited to daylight hours. All remaining food must be removed daily;
(k) 
"Ear tip" all cats with a single cut preferably on the left ear;
(2) 
All costs and expenses associated with maintaining a feral cat colony shall be borne solely by the feral cat caregiver and the Township of Old Bridge shall not provide any financial resources or funds to caregivers who maintain a cat colony.
F. 
Exemptions from restrictive ordinances. The following sections of the Township Code shall not apply to feral cat colonies managed by the TNR Program or to any person or organization that is providing care for a feral cat colony and is taking steps to trap and sterilize the animals: § 39-25, Cats.
G. 
Cat colony caregiver registration-ownership exemption. Any person undertaking the duties and responsibilities of a cat colony caregiver shall first be registered with the TNR Committee at no cost. A registered caregiver shall not be considered an owner in or be subject to regulations governing ownership or control of an animal, except as specified in this subsection.
H. 
Ordinance enforcement. The Township shall retain the following rights:
(1) 
The right to seize or remove from a colony, cats that have not been vaccinated against rabies and which are demonstrating signs of the disease.
(2) 
The right to seize or remove from a colony a cat that is creating a nuisance after the caregiver and sponsor have been given 60 days to resolve the complaint or remove and relocate the cat and have failed to do so.
(3) 
The right to seize or remove a colony of cats when the caregiver regularly fails to comply with the requirements of this section and the TNR Committee has not been able to obtain a replacement or substitute caregiver within 60 days of the Township's notice to the TNR Committee of the caregiver's failure to comply with this subsection.
(4) 
The right to replace or remove a caregiver who fails to comply with the responsibilities and requirements of this section after reasonable notice is provided to the caregiver of noncompliance.
I. 
Nuisance complaints. The requirements of this subsection notwithstanding, Code Officials and the Township Police Department or other appropriate Township official may investigate any nuisance complaint. If a Code official, Police Department or Township official determines that an ear-tipped feral colony cat is causing a nuisance as defined in this section, the Code Official, Police Department or Township Official shall contact the TNR Committee and allow the TNR Committee 60 days to resolve the complaint or remove the cat before further action is taken. The caregiver or TNR Committee must begin nuisance abatement procedures within 48 hours after being notified of a nuisance and must take all reasonable and necessary steps to resolve the nuisance in as short a time period as possible, not to exceed 60 days. If the TNR Committee fails to resolve the nuisance or remove the cat within the 60 days, the Code Official may remove the cat. If a Code Official, Police Department or Township official reasonably determines that a cat is injured or poses a significant threat to public health, the Code Official, Police Department or Township official may reduce the time that the TNR Committee has to resolve the complaint, as necessary to protect the cat and public health, before taking further action. In the case of an emergency, the Code Official, Police Department or Township Official may remove the cat, but within 24 hours must provide the TNR Committee with notice of the cat's whereabouts and allow the TNR Committee an opportunity to retrieve the cat for treatment, return, or relocation.
J. 
Enforcement and fines.
(1) 
This section shall be enforced by the Code Official, Police Department and any other Department or Township official that may hereinafter be designated by the Township Administrator.
(2) 
If it is determined by the Code Official, Police Department or Township official that the an owner has abandoned a domesticated cat, then the owner shall be subject to a maximum penalty of $100 per violation; each and every day in which a violation of this section exists shall constitute a separate violation.
K. 
Study and review. This section shall be reviewed after a period of one year from the date of adoption of this section to permit the Township to study the effectiveness of the TNR Program and to review the continuance of this subsection.