Animal Welfare Task Force REPORT Submitted to Governor James E. McGreevey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey Commissioner Clifton R. Lacy November 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . i SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS . .1 RECOMMENDATIONS . 7 I. Update the animal cruelty laws. 7 A. Background: Review of New Jersey’s Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws . .7 1. Reconstruction Era Roots . .7 2. Historical Civil Penalties . 8 3. Steps Toward Modernization. 9 4. Long-Standing Prohibitions on Animal Fighting . .12 5. Comparing New Jersey Laws with Laws of Other States. .13 B. Recommendations for Legislation. 15 1. Consolidation . 16 2. Animal Cruelty Crimes and Offenses . 17 3. Sentencing . 25 4. Duty to Report Animal Abuse . 27 C. Conclusion. 28 II. Improve the enforcement of animal cruelty laws . 29 A. Background . 29 B. Analytical Considerations . 34 C. Recommendations for Reform . 40 1. Systemic Changes. 40 2. Training . 50 3. Prosecution. 52 4. Uniform Crime Reporting . 56 D. The Link Between Violence Toward Animals and Violence Toward Humans . 57 III. Establish best practices to prevent overpopulation. 63 A. Introduction. 63 B. Mandatory Sterilization by Shelters, Pet Stores and Breeders . .66 C. Trap, Neuter and Return . 69 D. Microchipping. 77 E. Licensing . 80 F. Differential Licensing Fees . 83 G. Pet Limit Ordinances. 87 H. No-Pet Clauses in Residential Rental Leases. .88 I. Pediatric Sterilization. 91 J. Animal Population Control Program . 93 K. Alternative Sterilization and Adoption Programs . 95 L. Public - Private Partnerships for Shelters and Impoundment Facilities . 99 M. Additional Measures to Reduce the Number of Homeless Animals. 102 IV. Create additional shelter space to ensure adequate coverage for all geographic areas of the State . 105 A. Background . 105 B. Public-Private Partnerships . 106 C. Low Cost Financing . .107 D. Municipal and County Funding. 108 E. Government Assistance in Identifying and Procuring Grants . 108 V. Improve animal facility operations . 109 A. Background . 109 B. Standard Operating Procedures. 111 C. Euthanasia . 113 D. Facility Manager Training . .115 E. Facility Record Keeping . 116 F. Daily Impoundment Fees. 118 G. Disease Control and the Role of the Facility Veterinarian . 118 H. Redemption Surcharges for Unsterilized Animals . 119 I. License Fees for Kennels and Pet Shops . 120 J. Reporting Requirements for Pet Shops . 121 VI. Ensure that conditions in animal facilities are humane. 123 A. Background . 123 B. Recommendations . 123 1. Inspections . 124 2. Training . 124 3. Enforcement and Oversight . 125 VII. Improve animal control services. 127 A. Background . 127 B. Defining Animal Control Services, Duties and Authority. 128 C. Standardizing Municipal Services. 129 D. Regulating Animal Control Officers. 132 E. Animal Control Services During Non-Business Hours. 132 F. Limiting the Number of Animal Control Contracts. 132 G. Emergency First Responder Vehicles . 133 VIII. Provide humane education in schools . 134 A. Background . 134 B. Recommendations . 139 APPENDICES A. Text of Proposed Amendments to Title 2C . A-1 B. Outreach to Animal Facilities . B-1 C. Additional Funding Mechanisms . .C-1 INTRODUCTION On July 25, 2002, Governor James E. McGreevey signed an Executive Order creating the Animal Welfare Task Force and charging it to do the following: ♦ Examine the current laws concerning animal abuse and neglect, animal population control and animal welfare; ♦ Examine the manner in which the anti-cruelty laws are enforced throughout the State; ♦ Examine the status of population control and the animal shelter systems in the State; ♦ Recommend changes to the laws and regulations of this State so as.