SENATE SENIOR CITIZENS, VETERANS' AFFAIRS AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE, No. 661

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: FEBRUARY 15, 1996

 

      The Senate Senior Citizens, Veterans' Affairs and Agriculture Committee reports favorably a Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 661.

      This committee substitute for Senate Bill No.661 would expand the criminal penalties for violations of certain animal cruelty laws. Currently, a violation of R.S.4:22-17 (cruelty in general), R.S.4:22-18 (carrying an animal in a cruel manner), or subsection a. of R.S.4:22-19 (impounding or confining an animal without sufficient food and water) is a disorderly persons offense, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of six months and a maximum fine of $1,000. The committee substitute would impose a mandatory minimum criminal fine of $250. The committee substitute would also require the sentencing court to impose a community service term of up to 30 days, and give the court the option to also require (1) the violator to pay restitution for the costs of food, drink, shelter, or veterinary care or treatment, or other costs, incurred by an agency, entity, or organization investigating the violation, and (2) impose any other appropriate penalties established for a disorderly persons offense under Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes (the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice). The penalties established in this bill would be in addition to any civil penalties authorized by R.S.4:22-26 or any other law.