Bergen County enforces animal hoarding cases under New Jersey's animal cruelty statutes (N.J.S.A. 4:22). Local police, county prosecutors, and the Bergen County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals investigate hoarding complaints.
Animal hoarding is prosecuted as cruelty in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 4:22-17, which prohibits failure to provide proper food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. Bergen County's Office of the Prosecutor handles serious cases, while municipal animal control officers and humane law enforcement respond to initial complaints. The Bergen County Animal Shelter in Teterboro takes seized animals. Hoarding cases often involve dozens of cats or dogs and can trigger felony charges (third or fourth degree) plus civil forfeiture of animals. New Jersey eliminated SPCA police powers in 2017, transferring enforcement to municipal animal control and county prosecutors. Mental health referrals are common.
Disorderly persons offense up to $1,000 fine, six months jail; aggravated cruelty is third-degree, up to five years prison.
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Garfield, NJ
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