Tag Archives: seven-day holding period

NJ Animal control officers on trial for illegal cat killings

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Earlier this year, we wrote about the importance of getting New Jersey animal control officers, local health department officials, pounds and animal shelters to abide by the 7-day holding period for stray animals.  See “New Jersey– enforce the mandatory 7-day holding period for stray animals.”

In New Jersey, stray animals must be held for at least seven days before they can be killed or offered for adoption.  N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16.  The so-called seven-day holding period for gives families the opportunity to reclaim lost pets. It also protects animals from being needlessly killed by municipalities, pounds and shelters that do not want to be bothered with, or feel they do not have the time or space for, a stray animal.  Unfortunately, too many times this law is just plain ignored.

Now, in an important case that should be followed, Manalapan Township NJ animal control officers Sharon Gaboff, John Domic and Cherlann Ambrose, and Freehold health officer Julie Kramer are on trial for allegedly killing cats before the 7-day holding period.

The case is being heard in Manalapan Township Municipal Court.

We hope that as a result of the case, the law will be followed by everyone who handles animals!

For details about the case see:

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/animal-control-officers-acos-on-trial-for-illegal-cat-killings

 

Criminal charges filed against Freehold Health Officer and Animal Control officers in Western Monmouth Animal Control for needless killing of animals

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Criminal charges for the needless killing of animals have been filed against Freehold Health Officer Julie Kramer, and Western Monmouth New Jersey Animal Control officers Sharon Gaboff, Cherlann Ambrose and John Domic.

The 25 charges allege that defendants needlessly killed stray animals and failed to comply with the 7-day holding period for stray animals which is mandated by New Jersey law.

The killing of the animals was uncovered by Stuart Goldman of Middletown who previously served as the chief law enforcement officer for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The criminal trial is being heard by Judge George Cieri in Manalapan Municipal Court.

The next trial day is scheduled for May.

This is an important case to watch since the 7-day holding period is often ignored by animal control officers, health officers, pounds and shelters, and the State Department of Health does not actively enforce the law.

 

New Jersey– enforce the mandatory 7-day holding period for stray animals. What would you do if your pet got loose and was killed by the pound before you could be reunited?

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In New Jersey, stray animals must be held for at least seven days before they can be killed or offered for adoption.  N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16.  The so-called seven-day holding period for gives families the opportunity to reclaim lost pets. It also protects animals from being needlessly killed by municipalities, pounds and shelters that do not want to be bothered with, or feel they do not have the time or space for, a stray animal.

Unfortunately — despite the fact that the mandate is a requirement of state law– the seven-day holding period in New Jersey is too-often ignored.  There are numerous cases in which an animal is picked up and is killed before seven days, sometimes the same day as it was captured.  Whether the license tag or name tag fell off, or the pet was abandoned, these animals often get killed in violation of law.

Moreover, efforts to encourage municipalities, pounds and shelters to follow the law often fall on deaf ears.   And the State Department of Health has not taken action to actively enforce the seven-day holding period.

The law is the law, and government officials and regulated entities and individuals alike are obligated to follow the law.

Moreover, the law is based on sound policy.  Families deserve the opportunity to reclaim lost pets: what would you do if your dog or cat got out of the house, was picked up by animal control, and killed before you could be reunited?

New Jersey needs to enforce the mandatory 7-day holding period for stray animals.

That means that animal control officers, health department officers, and pound and shelter officers need to comply with the law.  And municipalities and the State Department of Health need to enforce the law’s requirements.

People who break the law should be prosecuted.  There’s no excuse for the needless killing of an animal.