State Statute Governs Wildlife Removal from Residences

VILLAS – Shore Animal Control responded to 142 calls from Lower Township residents in January and February.
“We respond to reports of animals that are a danger to persons or pets,” said Dr. Nick Holland, director of Shore Animal Control.
While Shore Animal Control responds to calls of sick or injured wildlife, they do not remove healthy appearing wildlife from attics, basements, crawlspaces or garages. Under state law, animal control officers are not required to capture animals such as raccoons rummaging in garbage cans or squirrels in attics that are not threatening humans.
According to the state statute, animal control officers should be able to educate residents on how to abate wildlife nuisances and be able to refer residents to agencies that can assist them.
State animal control statutes require animal control to respond to complaints of lost, stray, injured or nuisance domestic animals and suspected rabid wild or domestic animals and vicious dogs.
Animal control officers investigate reports of animal bites and vicious dogs and seize and impound dogs meeting criteria as vicious under state statutes.
Shore Animal Control patrols for stray cats and dogs on a daily basis. In addition, the service is conducting a door-to-door census of dogs in Lower Township to protect the public from rabies.
Animal control officers are verifying that all dogs are licensed. Owners of unlicensed dogs will be issued a warning allowing them seven days to obtain a license at Lower Township Hall, 2600 Bayshore Rd, Villas.
According to Holland, a dog license tag can be a lifesaver for a dog hit by a car so the owner can be quickly contacted.
Lower Township Manager Mike Voll said pet owners need to comply with the law in providing shelter, food and water and to license all dogs.
Lower Township will offer free rabies shots April 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the township’s public works yard at Seashore and Academy roads.