ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 2252

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 10, 1997

      The Assembly Environment, Science and Technology Committee favorably reports an Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill No. 2252.

      This committee substitute would make the theft of a domestic companion animal a crime of the fourth degree. It would also make the unlawful taking of a domestic companion animal with the intent to sell a crime of the third degree. A domestic companion animal is 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.