ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 482

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 11, 1996

      The Assembly Environment, Science and Technology Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 482.

      This bill permits a certified animal control officer, who has completed appropriate training and is so authorized by the municipal governing body employing or contracting for that certified animal control officer, to investigate and sign complaints and arrest offenders for violations of local and State animal control, animal welfare and animal cruelty laws and ordinances. The bill also clarifies that the training received by certified animal control officers would include training in animal cruelty laws as well as animal control and animal welfare laws.

      The bill also provides that if a certified animal control officer is responsible for the arrest and prosecution of a violator, the fines, penalties and moneys collected would be remitted by the court to the municipality that hired the officer, to be used by the municipality to defray enforcement and training costs. If a local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA or state society) is responsible for the arrest, the fines, penalties and moneys collected would be remitted to that society as currently provided by law.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996-1997 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.