Middle Responds to New Animal Control Law

COURT HOUSE – One of Chris Christie’s last acts as governor was to sign a bill that stripped the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of police powers.  
The bill hands over jurisdiction concerning the state’s animal cruelty laws to county prosecutors and local police.
NJSPCA, a non-profit organization, had been granted police powers to enforce animal cruelty laws. A report issued in 2017 was extremely critical of NJSPCA, citing incidents of mismanagement, dysfunction, and misuse of police authority.
The new law has changed the landscape for animal cruelty law enforcement in the state.
Middle Township officials believe that the municipality is well positioned for the new responsibilities that come with the bill’s passage.
Township Committee member Timothy Donohue spoke at the committee’s Jan. 17 meeting about the proactive steps the municipality had already taken.
He cited the fact that the township pulled animal control “inside” the municipality, making the animal control officer responsible only for Middle Township.
Donohue pointed out that the township was the first in the state to appoint an Animal Advisory Board.
“We also tightened our ordinance, making it tougher than the state law,” he said. There Donohue was pointing specifically to the fact that under the ordinance animals must be taken indoors when the temperature reached 40 degrees. State law mandates 32 degrees.
Donohue also cited the township’s move to shift animal control to the supervision of the police department.
Donohue’s comments were made in response to critical public comments at the meeting by Michelle Unkle. 
Unkle, an animal rights activist in the township, demanded better enforcement of existing laws and ordinances.
Unkle spoke at length during the public comment period citing instances in which she asserted the animal control officer and the police department had failed to satisfactorily enforce existing laws; most examples focused on animals being left out in extremely cold weather.
Unkle often found herself in a debate with Police Chief Christopher Leusner who explained the constitutional and statutory principles that govern how the police respond. Leusner also restated frequently the department’s commitment to its role concerning animal control.
The debate turned to shouting at times as Unkle pressed her point that stricter enforcement is needed as well as training programs for animal owners.
Leusner said that the new state law would help since it gives local police the assistance of the County Prosecutor’s Office for quicker determination of legal actions that can be taken in specific circumstances.
The Homeless
The same public comment period that saw passionate discussion of animals left out in the extreme cold also saw past township committee candidate Sam Kelly rise to urge the governing body to “go to war” with the county for a homeless shelter for people.
Kelly argued that the voucher system has failed at every level. He said it is often misused to reward “the worst elements” who are engaged in dealing drugs.
Kelly called for an end to the voucher system and the establishment of a shelter in the county as an alternative.
In asking the members of the governing body to confront the freeholders on this issue, Kelly predicted public support “never seen before.”
There was no response from the committee in response to Kelly’s plea.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.