SENATE, No. 1213

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MAY 30, 1996

 

 

By Senator ZANE

 

 

An Act concerning confiscated 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. The costs of sheltering, caring for, or treating any animal that has been confiscated from a person arrested pursuant to the provisions of R.S.4:22-47 by an agent of the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or any other person authorized to make an arrest pursuant to article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes, until the animal is adjudged forfeited or until the animal is returned to the owner, shall be borne by the owner of the animal.

 

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill would require a person who has been arrested in connection with the fighting or baiting of animals to bear the costs of shelter, care, and treatment of any other animals not used for such purposes, owned by that person that have been confiscated. Current law requires the confiscation and forfeiture of any animal engaged or used in violation of R.S.4:22-47 or subsections e., f., g., u., v., or w. of R.S.4:22-26. The costs of shelter, care, treatment, including veterinary care and treatment of those animals must be borne by the owner of the seized animal. The law also allows the confiscation of animals present at the building or place where the baiting or fighting takes place or where preparations are being made for such an exhibition. Often when a person is arrested in connection with the fighting or baiting of animals, other domestic or farm animals are confiscated as well. This bill would clarify that the costs of shelter, care, and treatment of those animals must be paid by their owner.


 

Requires costs of care of confiscated animal to be borne by its owner.