S241 Creates crime of threatening the life of certain animals
January 17, 2010
S241 amends N.J.S.A.2C:29-3.1, which sets forth the penalties associated with inflicting harm or interfering with an animal owned or used by a law enforcement agency or a search and rescue dog. Currently, that law provides: any person who purposely kills an animal owned or used by the police is guilty of a crime of the third degree; any person who purposely maims or otherwise inflicts harm upon an animal owned or used by the police is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree; and any person who interferes with any law enforcement officer using an animal in the performance of his official duties is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. Â
This bill adds a provision to that law that any person who purposely taunts, torments, or threatens the life of an animal owned or used by the police would be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. A fourth degree crime is punishable by up to 18 months’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
Primary Sponsor: Christopher Bateman
January 12, 2010 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
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