Byram, New Jersey

§ 87–1 Definitions.

KENNEL

Establishment for the business or practice of boarding, grooming, selling or breeding animals or where animals are kept for any commercial purpose (except pet shops as hereinafter defined) or where five or more animals of licensing age are kept; one female dog for breeding purposes may be kept in a household to have one litter per year without obtaining a kennel license, provided that the pups are sold or disposed of after eight weeks of age, unless kept as licensed dogs, and that the female dog kept for breeding purposes must be registered as a breed bitch each year when licensed.

§ 87-3 Dog license required.

A. No person shall own, keep or harbor any dog within the Township without first obtaining a license as required herein, and no person shall keep or harbor a dog except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

§ 87-8 Licensing for pet shops, kennels, shelters and pounds.

A. License required. Any person who operates or proposes to establish a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound shall apply for a kennel and pet shop license. Any person holding such license shall not be required to secure individual licenses for animals that he/she owns and keeps at such establishment. Kennel and pet shop licenses are not transferable.

B. Application information. The application shall contain the following information:

(1) The name, permanent and local address of the applicant.

(2) The street address where the establishment is or will be located, together with a general description of the premises.

(3) The purposes for which it is to be maintained.

(4) The maximum number of animals to be accommodated by such establishment at any one time.

C. Approval of Health Officer. To obtain a kennel license, the applicant must submit a written statement from the Health Officer of the Board of Health that the establishment or proposed establishment complies with local and state rules governing its location and sanitation.

D. License term. A license issued for a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound shall state the purpose for which the establishment is maintained and shall expire each year on the last day of June.

E. License fees. The annual license fees for kennel and pet shop licenses shall be as set forth in Chapter A287, Fees.

F. Construction and operation.

(1) A kennel must be located, constructed, arranged and operated so that the animals maintained there are housed in a building detached from the applicant’s residence, and the animals shall be confined to a secure enclosure and run areas so that they cannot come in contact with other animals not maintained therein, and otherwise in such manner so that the kennel shall not be a nuisance as to noise, odors or actions in the neighborhood.

(2) Animals maintained in pet shops shall be confined in a secure enclosure and connected run areas so that they cannot come in contact with other animals, and the size, location and sanitary facilities shall be such that the animals cannot come into contact with any other animals not owned or maintained by the owner.

(3) All secure enclosures shall be constructed of impervious washable material. The floors of the secure enclosures referred to herein and the run areas shall have a concrete steel-troweled base and shall be pitched to provide proper drainage to drains and gutters which are connected to an approved subsurface septic system or sewer line.

(4) The buildings used for kennels, pet shops and shelters shall at all times have hot and cold running water, be maintained at a minimum temperature of 55° F., have facilities for washing and sanitizing utensils, in a manner approved by the Board of Health, and have windows and doors which are screened and provide adequate ventilation so that the premises are free from insects and foul odors.

G. Compliance with state regulations.

(1) A license issued for a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound shall be subject to revocation by the Township Council on recommendation of the State Department of Health or the Board of Health for failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the State Department of Health, after the owner has been afforded a hearing by either the State Department of Health or the Board of Health.

(2) Any person holding a license to establish, keep or operate a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound shall comply with all Township ordinances and the rules and regulations promulgated by the State Department of Health governing the sanitary conduct and operation of kennels, pet shops, shelters and pounds, the preservation of sanitation therein and the prevention of the spread of rabies and other diseases of animals within and from such establishments.

H. Records. There shall be kept at each kennel, pet shop, pound or shelter a record of all animals received, containing a description of the animal, its license number, breed, age and sex, the name and address of the person from whom acquired, the date disposed of and the name and address of the person to whom sold or otherwise transferred. These records shall be kept at the licensed premises for one year after the date the animal is removed from the establishment, and the record shall be available to any proper agent or officer of the Township or to members or officers or duly authorized agents of the local Board of Health or the State Department of Health.

I. Reports to State Health Department. The Clerk shall forward to the State Department of Health a list of all kennels, pet shops, shelters and pounds licensed within 30 days after the licenses therefor are issued, which list shall include the name and address of the licensee and the kind of license issued.

J. Control of animals off premises. No animals kept in a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound shall be permitted off such premises, except on a leash or in a crate or under other safe control.

§ A287-3 Animal control fees.