Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GREGORY P. MCGUCKIN
District 10 (Monmouth and Ocean)
Assemblyman CODY D. MILLER
District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Scharfenberger
SYNOPSIS
Designates October 3 of each year as “Companion Animal Cruelty Awareness Day” in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating October 3 of each year as “Companion Animal Cruelty Awareness Day” in New Jersey.
Whereas, In 2020 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) reported 11,566 incidents of animal cruelty; and
Whereas, The FBI defines animal cruelty as “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly taking an action that mistreats or kills any animal without just cause, such as torturing, tormenting, mutilation, maiming, poisoning, or abandonment”; and
Whereas, Examples of animal cruelty include neglect of duty to provide care, such as failure to provide shelter, food, water, or care if the animal is sick or injured, transporting or confining an animal in a manner likely to cause injury or death, causing an animal to fight with another, or inflicting excessive or repeated unnecessary pain or suffering; and
Whereas, NIBRS began collecting data on animal cruelty from participating law enforcement agencies on January 1, 2016; and
Whereas, Prior to 2016, crimes involving animals were lumped into an “All Other Offenses” category; and
Whereas, Based on a preliminary analysis of NIBRS data, there were 4.43 animal cruelty incidents nationally per 100,000 of the population in 2018; and
Whereas, National data concerning the prevalence of animal cruelty is deficient because the data depends on local law enforcement agencies to report the animal abuse; and
Whereas, In 2024, New Jersey joined the list of law enforcement agencies participating in NIBRS; and
Whereas, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals defines companion animals as animals that “should be domesticated or domestic-bred animals whose physical, emotional, behavioral and social needs can be readily met as companions in the home, or in close daily relationship with humans”; and
Whereas, Companion animal cruelty is not merely an animal welfare issue, but a broader public safety concern, as research shows links between animal abuse and interpersonal violence; and
Whereas, Recognizing October 3 of each year as “Companion Animal Cruelty Awareness Day” in New Jersey offers an opportunity for communities to take action to protect companion animals by raising awareness of companion animal cruelty, educate the public on the reasons animal cruelty occurs, encourage early reporting of companion animal cruelty, and reaffirm our State’s commitment to humane treatment of animals and prevention of animal cruelty; now, therefore,
Be It
Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
1. October 3 of each year shall be designated as “Companion Animal Cruelty Day” in New Jersey.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing October 3 of each year as “Companion Animal Cruelty Day” in New Jersey and call upon relevant organizations, citizens of the State, and State agencies to participate in appropriate awareness activities and initiatives.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates October 3 of each year as “Companion Animal Cruelty Awareness Day” in New Jersey to raise public awareness and to promote education, early reporting of companion animal cruelty, community engagement around companion animal cruelty, and reaffirm our State’s commitment to humane treatment of animals and prevention of animal cruelty. This joint resolution also requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation to recognize Companion Animal Cruelty Awareness Day and call upon relevant State agencies, organizations, and citizens of the State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
In 2020 the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) reported 11,566 incidents of animal cruelty. Data is collected by participating law enforcement agencies. New Jersey became part of the participating law enforcement agencies in 2024. There is a need for awareness as the national data on animal cruelty is lacking as the data is dependent on law enforcement agencies properly reporting animal cruelty incidents. Furthermore, companion animal cruelty is not only an animal welfare issue but a broader public safety concern, as research shows links between animal abuse and interpersonal violence.