Bill Text: NJ A5202 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Prohibits offering for sale or selling dogs less than eight weeks old as domestic companion animals.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-18 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [A5202 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2018-A5202-Introduced.html

---

ASSEMBLY, No. 5202

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 18, 2019

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  ANNETTE QUIJANO

District 20 (Union)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman Swain

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Prohibits offering for sale or selling dogs less than eight weeks old as domestic companion animals.

 

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act concerning the sale of dogs and supplementing P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.1 et seq.).

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  Notwithstanding any other law, or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, it shall be unlawful for a person, breeder, broker, pet shop, or kennel to knowingly offer for sale or sell as a domestic companion animal a dog that is less than eight weeks old.

     b.  A person who violates subsection a. of this section shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense.

     c.  As used in this section:

     "Domestic companion animal" means any animal commonly referred to as a pet that was bought, bred, raised, or otherwise acquired, in accordance with local ordinances and State and federal law, for the primary purpose of providing companionship to the owner, rather than for business or agricultural purposes.

     "Pet" means a pet as defined in section 1 of P.L.1985, c. 401 (C.4:22A-1). 

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill prohibits a person, breeder, broker, pet shop, or kennel from knowingly offering for sale or selling as a domestic companion animal a dog that is less than eight weeks old.  The bill also provides that a person who violates this provision would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense.  A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a penalty of up to six months of imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000, or both.