New Jersey's animal-cruelty law makes it unlawful to fail to provide necessary care to animals. Under 2022 amendments, animal hoarding is a fourth-degree crime carrying a $1,000-$3,000 civil penalty. This applies across Passaic County.
Under N.J.S.A. 4:22-17, it is unlawful for an owner or caretaker to fail to provide a living animal with necessary care. New Jersey's 2022 hoarding amendments define hoarding as caring for or possessing animals in a quantity such that the person cannot provide necessary care and, as a result, some animals die or suffer bodily injury or serious adverse health consequences. The number of animals is not the sole determining factor. Animal hoarding is a crime of the fourth degree and requires a mental-health evaluation of the offender. Enforcement is handled by municipal or county humane-law enforcement and prosecutors; the county sheriff and prosecutor coordinate cruelty cases.
Animal hoarding is a fourth-degree crime with a civil penalty of $1,000 to $3,000 and a required mental-health evaluation. Failure to provide necessary care is a disorderly persons offense.
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Passaic County, NJ
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See how Passaic County's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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