REPORT OF THE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
August 2007

By Joan Tabor

THE NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATION:

A4217.  Authorizes civil action for certain damages when a pet animal becomes ill, is injured, or dies from consuming or coming into contact with adulterated pet food. This bill was introduced on May 14, 2007. Its primary sponsors are Assemblyman Neil Cohen and Assemblyman Douglas Fisher.   A second reading took place on 5/21/07.

There has been no new movement on the balance of the state bills listed in the previous newsletter.   

The New Jersey State Government has been in recess for the summer.  Check the legislation web site for any news beginning in September.  There is a legislative calendar that lists the bill posted for hearings for the upcoming week.

LOCAL LEGISLATION

City of Phillipsburg discussed amending an existing ordinance using breed specific language.  One of the provisions they were considering included mandating that no one under the age of 18 could own, train, or walk a Pit Bull.  All Pit Bulls would need to be muzzled in public.  They were also considering a mandate of $1,000,000 liability policy for certain dog breeds.  NJFDC Delegate, Barbara Reichman, was in attendance and addressed the Town Council.  Barbara mentioned the NJ State Statute 4:19-36, that prohibits breed discrimination and also told the Town Council how a breed specific ordinance in Englewood was recently fought and defeated.  After some discussion they agreed to have a working session in July.

Montgomery Township had proposed a restrictive ordinance regarding barking dogs.  The ordinance was unanimously defeated on July 19.  Two NJFDC Delegates, Barbara Wicklund and Diane Senko, who are also residents of the Township, spoke in opposition.  They will be enacting some ordinance and will put together a committee of residents in writing the bill.

Montclair Township proposed amending an existing animal ordinance to prohibit any tethering, indoors or outdoors for more than 30 minutes.  The ordinance wording was taken from one that was successfully used in the City of Camden.  In addition to tethering, this ordinance would prohibit the carrying of dogs in a car unless they were crated, so that they could turn around without touching the sides or top of the crate.  A physically competent, licensed driver had to be with the animal at all times.  When a dog of 35 lb. or more was outdoors and unattended, it was to be kept in an enclosure  which was a minimum of 15 X10, with an 8 ft. high fencing, with a dwelling and a roof.  It was to be sanitized daily.

Originally the ordinance was to be read for a second time on July 24, but it had to be rescheduled to August 7, after it was pointed out that there was insufficient notification.  Apparently the volume of letters against the ordinance was so great that it was announced at the August 7 meeting that the Town Council had already decided to pull the amended ordinance.  Due to the large number of attendees who were there to address the Council, the Council agreed to hear, first from residents, then from others. NJFDC Delegates, Joan Tabor and Joel Tabor addressed the Council.  Candy Wisnieski, a resident who happens to belong to Ramapo KC spoke, as well as resident Barbara Haywood of the ADOA and MY Dog Votes. A contingent of supporters came from Schooley’s Mountain KC.  Although the ordinance was put to rest for now, it is likely to rear its ugly head some time in the future.  Be ready for battle.