Published in the Home News Tribune 4/14/04

 

Gov. James E. McGreevey's Task Force on Animal Welfare is considering a shift of authority in the enforcement of animal-cruelty laws. As proposed, authority would be shifted from the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to local law enforcement and county sheriffs. While this proposed shift in authority may appear attractive on paper, it is simply not workable, nor is it in the best interest of abused and endangered animals in New Jersey. The task force should remain focused on improving and strengthening the existing organizational structure and avoid adding new responsibilities and costs to New Jersey's overburdened police departments and municipalities.

 

With local law enforcement tasked with the added responsibilities of Homeland Security, a legitimate public-policy question must be asked: Should local law enforcement be given primary authority for the enforcement of animal-cruelty laws while a no-cost alternative exists within the N.J. SPCA? More importantly, will the continuity of the enforcement of animal-cruelty laws suffer without a statewide organization dedicated purely to that mission?

 

Police departments have not and most likely will not embrace this proposal. In fact, many well-respected police officers have already expressed their opposition. In addition, moving the N.J. SPCA from a primary to a secondary position is counterproductive and does little to improve the welfare of animals in the state. Simply put, if not the N.J. SPCA, this very important work will not get done.

 

Another critical issue that must be addressed is the costs associated with this shirt in authority to local law enforcement and what impact this will have on muncipal budgets and taxpayers. Local law enforcement would be required to dedicate scarce resources and make significant infrastructure investments to support these added responsibilities. The N.J. SPCA receives no assistance from the state and is a self-funded agency through the imposition of fines, membership dues and donations.

 

Since 1868, at no cost to taxpapers, the N.J. SPCA has been the lead agency in charge of the enforcement of animal-cruelty laws in the state. In 2003, the N.J. SPCA processed more than 25,000 calls from citizens and police departments, resulting in more than 3,500 investigations and more than 2,600 signed complaints. In 2004, with new leadership, new procedures in place, added personnel and extended coverage, we expect to exceed these numbers.

 

As president of the N.J. SPCA, I agree that reforms must be made and look forward to working with the governor and the task force toward meaningful and actionable reform. Don't shift power to entities that do not want it. Don't add costs to entities that can't afford it.

 

 

Copyright 2004 Home News Tribune.