ASSEMBLY, No. 2251

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JULY 18, 1996

By Assemblymen GEIST and DeSOPO

An Act concerning cruelty to animals and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. Any person who owns a domestic companion animal that has been subjected to an act of cruelty in violation of R.S.4:22-17 or R.S.4:22-26 may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction for damages against the person committing the act of cruelty. Damages may include, but shall not be limited to, the monetary value of the animal, veterinary expenses incurred by the owner in treating the animal, and emotional distress suffered by the owner.

    For the purposes of this section, "domestic companion animal" means any animal commonly referred to as a pet or one that has been 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.

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill would create a right of action for any person who owns a domestic companion animal that has been subjected to an act of cruelty in violation of R.S.4:22-17 or R.S.4:22-26 against the person committing the act of cruelty. Damages may include, but shall not be limited to, the monetary value of the animal, veterinary expenses incurred by the owner in treating the animal, loss of companionship, and emotional distress suffered by the owner.

Provides for civil action against person committing act of cruelty against a domestic companion animal.