SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1703

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 10, 2020

The Senate Environment and Energy Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 1703. 

      This bill would enhance the penalty for failing to stop and report the hitting, running over, or injuring of certain animals with a motor vehicle where the animal is killed.

      Under current law, section 1 of P.L.1939, c.315 (C.4:22-25.1) provides that a person operating a motor vehicle who knowingly hits, runs over, or causes injury to a cat, dog, horse, or cattle is required to stop and report certain information.  Failure to do so is a petty disorderly persons offense.

      This bill clarifies that a person operating a motor vehicle who knowingly hits, runs over, or causes injury to a cat, dog, horse, or cattle shall stop at once, ascertain the extent of injury, and report the incident, the name, address, and driver’s license number of the person operating the motor vehicle, the registration number of the motor vehicle, and the location of the injured animal to the nearest police station, police officer, municipal humane law enforcement officer, chief humane law enforcement officer, or humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.  Under current law, if the person fails to stop and make the required report, the person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense.  This bill would increase the level of criminal offense for a violation of section 1 of P.L.1939, c.315 (C.4:22-25.1) to a disorderly persons offense if the cat, dog, horse, or cattle that is hit, run over, or injured by the motor vehicle dies.

      A petty disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, up to a $500 fine, or both. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, up to a $1,000 fine, or both.