4:22-14.1 Responsibilities of municipal governing body.

25 a. Except as provided in subsection e. of this section, each governing body of a municipality shall:

(1) submit at least one applicant for designation as a municipal humane law enforcement officer pursuant to section 26 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.2) who shall be responsible for animal welfare within the jurisdiction of the municipality, and who shall enforce and abide by the provisions of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes and shall be authorized to investigate and sign complaints, arrest violators, and otherwise act as an officer for detection, apprehension, and arrest of offenders against the animal welfare and animal cruelty laws of the State and ordinances of the municipality; and

(2) publicize a telephone number for reporting violations of any provision of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes, which may be the same number publicized pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1989, c.307 (C.4:19-30).

b. The governing body of a municipality shall not submit an applicant for designation as, and shall terminate the designation of, a municipal humane law enforcement officer who has been convicted of, or found civilly liable for, a violation of any provision of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes or whose name is on the list or any revision thereto established and provided by the Commissioner of Health pursuant to subsection c. of section 3 of P.L.1983, c.525 (C.4:19-15.16a).

c. The governing body of a municipality may designate as a municipal humane law enforcement officer any qualified individual. An animal control officer or a police officer may serve concurrently as a municipal humane law enforcement officer, so long as the officer is able to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities required of each position held.

d. (1) The governing body of a municipality with a full time municipal police department may authorize a municipal humane law enforcement officer to possess, carry, and use a firearm while enforcing the laws and ordinances enacted for the protection of animals, if the officer:

(a) has satisfactorily completed a firearms training course as defined in subsection j. of N.J.S.2C:39-6 and approved by the Police Training Commission; and

(b) twice annually qualifies in the use of a revolver or similar weapon.

(2) A municipal humane law enforcement officer authorized to possess, carry, and use a firearm pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to the supervision of the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality.

e. A municipality that does not have a municipal police department shall not be required to comply with the provisions of paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section; however, the municipality shall make every reasonable effort to designate a municipal humane law enforcement officer pursuant to this section.

f. In a municipality without a designated municipal humane law enforcement officer pursuant to this section, animal cruelty law enforcement shall be the responsibility of the chief humane law enforcement officer of the county, or the county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals if authorized to conduct law enforcement activity pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 28 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.5).

L.2017, c.331, s.25.