4:22-14.4 Actions of county prosecutor.

28. a. Each county prosecutor shall:

(1) designate any municipal or county prosecutor as the animal cruelty prosecutor of the county, and may designate any assistant animal cruelty prosecutor as needed, who shall investigate, prosecute, and take other legal action as appropriate for violations of any provision of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes, and who may serve in such capacity on a part-time basis if the responsibilities of the position allow;

(2) (a) designate, in consultation with the county sheriff, a county law enforcement officer to serve as the chief humane law enforcement officer of the county, and may designate any other law enforcement officer under the supervision of the chief humane law enforcement officer, who shall assist with investigations, arrest violators, and otherwise act as an officer for detection, apprehension, and arrest of offenders against the provisions of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes; or

(b) enter into a memorandum of understanding with the county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals designated pursuant to section 32 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.8), which authorizes the county society, under the supervision of the county prosecutor, to assist with enforcement of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes, and to designate humane law enforcement officers, subject to the provisions of section 29 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.5), to assist with investigations, arrest violators, and otherwise act as an officer for detection, apprehension, and arrest of offenders against the provisions of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes; and

(3) designate a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals pursuant to the provisions of section 32 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.8) with which, to the extent practicable and as needed, the county prosecutor and county sheriff shall coordinate shelter and care for animals.

b. A person who has been convicted of, or found civilly liable for, a violation of any provision of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes or whose name is on the list or any revision thereto established and provided by the Commissioner of Health pursuant to subsection c. of section 3 of P.L.1983, c.525 (C.4:19-15.16a) shall not be designated by the county prosecutor for any position provided in subsection a. of this section.

L.2017, c.331, s.28.