Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Swain
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits offering for sale or selling dogs less than eight weeks old as domestic companion animals.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the sale of dogs 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 any other law, or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, it shall be unlawful for a person, breeder, broker, pet shop, or kennel to knowingly offer for sale or sell as a domestic companion animal a dog that is less than eight weeks old.
b. A person who violates subsection a. of this section shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
c. As used in this section:
“Domestic companion animal” means any animal commonly referred to as a pet that was bought, bred, raised, or otherwise acquired, in accordance with local ordinances and State and federal law, for the primary purpose of providing companionship to the owner, rather than for business or agricultural purposes.
"Pet" means a pet as defined in section 1 of P.L.1985, c. 401 (C.4:22A-1).
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits a person, breeder, broker, pet shop, or kennel from knowingly offering for sale or selling as a domestic companion animal a dog that is less than eight weeks old. The bill also provides that a person who violates this provision would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a penalty of up to six months of imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000, or both.