New Jersey § 4:22-46

§ 4:22-46.

a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, or any rule or regulation adopted

pursuant thereto, to the contrary, upon a showing of probable cause that there has

been an animal cruelty violation, a court of competent jurisdiction may issue, upon

request, a warrant to any municipal humane law enforcement officer, humane law enforcement

officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other State

or local law enforcement officer to enter onto the private property where an animal

is located and take custody of the animal. b. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of this section, or any other law,

or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, a municipal humane

law enforcement officer, humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the

prevention of cruelty to animals, or other State or local law enforcement officer

may immediately enter onto private property where an animal is located and take custody

of an animal if the officer has a reasonable basis to believe that, due to an animal

cruelty violation, immediate assistance is required to protect or preserve the animal's

life or prevent injury to the animal. c. Upon taking custody of an animal pursuant to subsection a. or b. of this section,

the person taking custody of the animal shall: (1) post immediately, in a conspicuous place at the location from which the animal

was taken into custody, the notice required pursuant to subsection d. of this section

to the owner or person with custody or control of the animal; (2) no later than seven days after the animal has been taken into custody, send by

registered or certified mail, or by personal service, the notice described in subsection

d. of this section, to: (a) the address of the location from which the animal was taken into custody; and (b) the owner of record, if the address for the owner of record is different from

the address of the location from which the animal was taken. d. The notice required pursuant to subsection c. of this section shall: (1) provide a description of the animal; (2) state the statutory authority and reason for taking custody of the animal; and (3) provide contact information, including at least the name of any applicable office

or entity, the name of a person at that office or entity, and a telephone number for

the owner or person having custody or control of the animal to obtain information

concerning the animal, including where the animal is in custody. e. An animal taken into custody pursuant to subsection a. or b. of this section shall

be placed in the care of a licensed shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter

or pound to ensure the humane care and treatment of the animal. If, after the animal has been taken into custody, a licensed veterinarian makes

a written determination that the animal is in intractable and extreme pain and is

beyond any reasonable hope of recovery with reasonable veterinary medical treatment,

the animal may be euthanized. At any time while the licensed shelter, pound, or kennel operating as a shelter

or pound has custody or control of the animal, it may place the animal in an animal

rescue organization facility or a foster home, or may otherwise provide care to improve

the animal's physical or psychological well-being, if it determines that such placement

or care is in the best interests of the animal.