NEW JERSEY – Legislation sponsored by Senator Jean Stanfield that would transfer excess animal control funds to municipalities for enforcement of animal cruelty laws was approved Monday by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
“Despite New Jersey’s tough animal cruelty laws, a major concern is that local governments are not being provided with the funding necessary to effectively enforce them,” said Stanfield (R-8). “This legislation will not only provide that additional funding, but will send a strong message to abusive pet owners and anyone else who mistreats animals that their behavior will not be tolerated.”
Stanfield’s legislation, S-1708, would authorize the transfer of excess animal control funds to prosecutors, municipalities, police departments, and the Police Training Commission for enforcement of animal cruelty laws and for training humane law enforcement officers.
“I’ve seen multiple instances in my district of terrible animal abuse that was carried out for far too long,” added Stanfield. “We need to do all that we can to catch these abusers early so more animals don’t suffer.”
The bill authorizes the county prosecutor, the Superintendent of State Police, and the chief humane law enforcement officer of a county to provide for the transfer of any funds transmitted to the appropriate county, municipal, or State accounts.
