ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1079

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 11, 1996

      The Assembly Environment, Science and Technology Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 1079.

      This bill amends R.S.26:4-94 to increase the fines for a violation of the statutes governing control of dogs, cats and other animals who attack or bite a person from $5 to $100 for the first offense, and from a range of between $5 and $50 to a range of between $100 and $2,000 for each subsequent offense. The amount of these fines has not been increased since 1953.

      The bill further provides that a person who is attacked or bitten by an animal of which a person who is liable for the above penalty is in charge, shall be entitled to be paid from the proceeds of the penalty, within the limits of those proceeds, for the cost of treatment for rabies, as a result of that attack or bite, which is not covered by a State or federal program or health insurance contract or policy.

      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.