Question
If a person who was convicted of abuse is living with a dog that isn’t theirs, why does the dog have to leave the home?
Answer
New Jersey’s law states in part:
At the sentencing of a person convicted of an animal cruelty violation, the court, upon its own initiative or in response to a petition filed …and in addition to any other penalties that may be imposed on the defendant, may: (1) (a) adjudge an animal that is the basis of the conviction for an animal cruelty violation forfeited …and (2) order that the person convicted of an animal cruelty violation shall not own, harbor, reside with, or have custody or control of any other animals for a period of time that the court deems appropriate.
Many other states have similar laws. These laws are enacted to protect animals from abusers.
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