ACO/Humane Officer

Animal Control is provided at the local level and administered by Animal Control Officers (ACO’s).

State rules require the impoundment of stray dogs, or dogs or other animals observed by an ACO to be ill, injured or creating a threat to public health. Impounded animals must be held for seven days at a facility licensed as a pound prior to adoption or euthanasia. ACOs do not generally address wildlife nuisance problems unless the wildlife exhibit signs of rabies.

ACOs can be contacted through municipal police departments and local health departments. Every municipality must use a licensed impoundment facility where stray animals are taken for evaluation and held for owners to reclaim their lost pets.

State of New Jersey grants a law enforcement officer the power to sign complaints, arrest violators, and otherwise act for the detection, apprehension and arrest of offenders against the animal control, animal welfare, and animal cruelty laws of the State and ordinances of the municipality.

A certified animal control officer shall be responsible for animal control within the municipality.

The governing body may authorize an ACO to also be the municipal humane law enforcement officer for the municipality.