Leaving Pets Outside in Bad Weather Could be Costly

A new state law (NJSA 4:22-17.1) bans leaving pets chained up outside in bad weather for extended periods of time, creating penalties for owners and allowing authorities to take custody of pets in some cases.  The law prohibits leaving pets unsheltered outdoors when temperatures fall below freezing or reach 90 degrees.  Under the new law, pet owners can face fines of $100 to $200 per incident it they’re caught leaving their animals unattended in adverse weather for more than 30 minutes at a time.  The law requires pet owners to evacuate their animals during declared weather emergencies and permits local governments or humane societies to take custody of an animal by a repeat offender. 

 

Disaster Planning for Small Pet Owner

In the event of an emergency that requires you and your pets to evacuate, here is some advice on how to keep them safe; be sure to have the following:

• Name and telephone number of your local veterinary hospital
• Portable pet carrier for each pet in your home
• Identification for each pet.  This includes collars and tags, current photos of each pet, and copies of vaccinations, town license, microchip and/or tattoo records
• Leashes and other necessary training and handling accessories
• Water bowls or dispensers
• Food bowls
• Pet foods, including special diets, in water-safe containers
• Can opener for canned foods
• Extra drinking water
• Daily medications, monthly preventive medications
• Newspapers, towels, blankets, paper towels, baby wipes
• Extra litter box and litter
• Trash bags for waste clean up
• Pet first aid kit
• Flashlight

 

Please view the Borough Code Ordinances for more information on animals 

The Borough Ordinances are available on-line for your review

1. Go to http://historicwoodstown.org/
2. Right hand side click on the “click here” under Ordinances
3. New window pops up and you can use the quick search bar in the upper right hand corner