Bernards Animal Control Officer Issues Reminder for Pet Owners

The Bernards Township Animal Control officer has issued a reminder to residents who own pets as the summer months approach.

Michelle Santoro, Township Animal Control Officer, reminded pet owners to have 2015 Bernards Township metal license tags attached to their pets’ collars, as pets tend to spend more time outdoors during the summer. The tags allow Animal Control officers to identify and return pets in the event they go missing.

Additionally, Santoro reminded residents that it is both dangerous and illegal to leave animals inside of a parked vehicle. “On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time - even with the windows open - which could lead to fatal heat stroke,” Santoro said in a release from Bernards Township. “Leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states including New Jersey. It is better to keep your pets home and inside during extreme weather conditions.”

Santoro continued to list township regulations means to protect the health and safety of the public and their pets.

• 5-8.2 All dogs to wear current year license tag
• 5-8.4 Interference with Official Duties. No person shall interfere with anyone authorized or empowered to perform any duty under this chapter. (Ord. #137)
• 5-8.5 Disturbing the Peace. No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain any dog which habitually barks or cries in such a manner as to disturb any other person, particularly between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. (Ord. 8/20/68)
• 5-8.6 Running at Large. No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog shall permit it to run at large upon the public streets, in any public park, in any public building or in any other public place within the township, nor shall any such person permit it to run at large upon the lands of another without his permission. (Ord. #137, Ord. #376)
• 5-8.7 Leashing of Dogs. No person owning, keeping or harboring any dog shall permit it to be upon the public streets or any of the public places of the township unless such dog is accompanied by a person capable of controlling it and is securely confined and controlled by an adequate leash not more than six (6’) feet long. (Ord. #137)
• 5-8.8 Property Damage. No person owning, keeping or harboring a dog shall permit it to do any injury, or to do any damage to any lawn, shrubbery, flowers, grounds or property. (Ord. 8/20/68)
• 5-8.9 Removal of Dog Feces. No dog owner shall permit a dog to soil, defile, defecate on or commit any nuisance on any common thoroughfare, sidewalk, passageway, by path, play area, park or any place where people congregate or walk, or upon any public property whatsoever, or upon any private property without the permission of the owner, without having such feces immediately removed and disposed of by the dog owner by any sanitary method approved by the Animal Control Officer. (Ord. #771)

Santoro also noted that if a dog or cat is injured and without identification tags, the Animal Control Officer is required by law to seek medical treatment. The cost of the treatment will be incurred by the owner of the animal.

For more information, contact Michelle Santoro, Bernards Township Animal Control Officer, at (908) 204-3066.

(Photos featuring the pets of Patch Editor Paige McAtee: Gus (English Yellow Lab))