Howell, NJ Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Article III of Chapter 57 of the Howell Township Code, Feeding of Waterfowl, was adopted as Ord. No. O-96-31 and amended in its entirety on September 20, 2005 by Ord. No. O-05-31. Section 57-13 gives the reason: large numbers of wild waterfowl on and around public ponds and lakes in Howell Township cause a public health nuisance, including on the surrounding properties. The stated purpose is to prohibit the feeding of unconfined wildlife in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by the Township.

Section 57-14 defines the terms. To feed means to give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife, and it does not include baiting in the legal taking of fish and/or game. Wildlife means all animals that are neither human nor domesticated, so the ban reaches geese and ducks as well as deer, foxes and any other wild animal. A person is any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association or political subdivision of the state subject to municipal jurisdiction.

Section 57-15 is the operative rule: no person can feed any wildlife in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by Howell Township. Confined wildlife is excluded, with the examples of wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers. As printed, the section covers Township-owned or operated property and does not itself reach a private yard.

Section 57-16 says the article does not prohibit humane acts towards wildlife in individual cases, such as the temporary nurturing of a wounded bird. Section 57-17 directs the Police Department of the Township of Howell to enforce the article. Feeding unconfined cats on any out-of-doors property in the Township is a separate violation under § 57-11(C)(2).