Sponsored by:
Assemblyman PETER J. BIONDI
District 16 (Morris and Somerset)
Assemblywoman DENISE M. COYLE
District 16 (Morris and Somerset)
Assemblyman NELSON T. ALBANO
District 1 (Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Prieto
SYNOPSIS
Creates crime of threatening the life of certain animals.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning threats against certain animals and amending P.L.1983, c.261.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.1983, c.261 (C.2C:29-3.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. Any person who purposely kills a dog, horse or other animal owned or used by a law enforcement agency or a search and rescue dog shall be guilty of a crime of the third degree.
b. Any person who purposely maims or otherwise inflicts harm upon a dog, horse or other animal owned or used by a law enforcement agency or a search and rescue dog shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
c. Any person who purposely taunts, torments, or threatens the life of a dog, horse or other animal owned or used by a law enforcement agency or a search and rescue dog shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
d. Any person who interferes with any law enforcement officer using an animal in the performance of his official duties commits a disorderly persons offense, subject to a sentence of six months' imprisonment, some or all of which may be community service, restitution and a $1,000.00 fine.
As used in this section, "search and rescue dog" means any dog trained or being trained for the purpose of search and rescue that is owned by an independent handler or member of a search and rescue team, and used in conjunction with local law enforcement or emergency services organizations for the purpose of locating missing persons or evidence of arson.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.24, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:29-3.1, which sets forth the penalties associated with inflicting harm or interfering with an animal owned or used by a law enforcement agency or a search and rescue dog. Currently, that law provides: any person who purposely kills an animal owned or used by the police is guilty of a crime of the third degree; any person who purposely maims or otherwise inflicts harm upon an animal owned or used by the police is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree; and any person who interferes with any law enforcement officer using an animal in the performance of his official duties is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
This bill adds a provision to that law that any person who purposely taunts, torments, or threatens the life of an animal owned or used by the police would be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. A fourth degree crime is punishable by up to 18 months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.