BILL TO TOUGHEN ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS ADVANCES

Legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew that would strengthen New Jersey’s animal cruelty laws by making it a crime to leave pets exposed outdoors to excessively cold or hot temperatures without proper shelter cleared a Senate Committee today. The bill would also make cruelly restraining a dog a crime. This bill (S-1640) would make it a violation of the State animal cruelty laws to leave a cat, dog, or other domestic companion animal unattended outdoors without proper shelter for an extended period under certain conditions. The Senate Economic Growth Committee approved the bill by a vote of 4-0-1. It next heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for consideration.