How to Report Animal Cruelty
Pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 2017, CHAPTER 189 b. The New Jersey Department of Health shall post the following on its website:
The full text of R.S. 4:22-17 and 4:22-26 and a plain language description of the provisions and requirements of R.S. 4:22-17 and 4:22-26These materials shall be distributed by the municipality to each person obtaining an annual dog license and be posted on all New Jersey municipality websites.
The full text of the statutes and the plain language description of the provisions and requirements are posted here:
4:22-17 Cruelty; certain acts, crime; degrees (scroll over this red font to capture link to document) 4:22-26 Penalties for various acts constituting cruelty (scroll over this red font to capture link to document) Guide to Prevention of Animal Cruelty Laws 2018 (scroll over this red font to capture link to document)
The New Jersey Department of Health does not have the authority to investigate animal cruelty.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - Beginning in February 1, 2019, animal cruelty investigations shall be conducted by Humane Law Enforcement Officers (HLEOs) that report to county prosecutors.
If you suspect animal cruelty or abuse after February 1, 2019, contact your County Prosecutors Office or local police for assistance.
The MCPO office contact info can be found at this website link below
http://mercercountyprosecutor.com/phone-numbers/
How to Report Animal Cruelty in Hamilton Twp, Mercer County NJ
Welcome to Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey - State of New Jersey Animal Cruelty Laws (hamiltonnj.com)
To report animal cruelty or abuse involving livestock (including horses, cattle and poultry), contact the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health by calling 609-671-6400 or via email: state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov.
Highlight URL below to obtain a list of contact information for Chief HLEO (Humane Law Enforcement Officer) by NJ County
The National Directory of Abuse Investigation Agencies
Reporting suspected family violence can be either a relatively simple or fairly confusing process. In cases of suspected child abuse and neglect, elder abuse, or domestic violence and sexual assault the procedures are fairly straightforward: any municipal, county or state law enforcement agency is authorized to receive reports and initiate an investigation. In addition, every state has either a statewide crisis line, or a directory of county agencies, where reports may be made. (For elder abuse, many states have two hotlines: one for elder abuse in the home, and an ombudsman for elder abuse in long-term care facilities.) Furthermore, there are statewide associations, such as coalitions for the prevention of child abuse or elder abuse or coalitions against domestic violence, that can offer assistance.
Reporting animal cruelty, abuse and neglect is far more complicated. There are no national or statewide systems: contrary to popular opinion, local humane societies or SPCAs (societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals) are not branches or affiliates of national organizations. Each local animal welfare organization is independent with its own board of directors and anti-cruelty law enforcement powers which range from full to none. Many city or county animal control or animal services officers are empowered to enforce cruelty laws, but many are not – and many are limited in the scope of which laws or species they are allowed to assist.
Click on this link below...then the state....then scroll to the county and the information will be on the site.
http://nationallinkcoalition.org/how-do-i-report-suspected-abuse