Fees for dogs, cats proposed to increase
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - Pets may cost their owners a little bit more money in the future.

The Township Council is considering an ordinance change that would treat cats more like dogs, in that they would be subject to the same regulations. The proposal would also increase the fee for the annual dog and cat licenses that the township requires.

The amendment would raise the annual fee from $8.20 to $15.20, according to the ordinance introduced Nov. 26. A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 10.

The ordinance would require that license applications be made by April. Previously, the time limit was the last day of January. Each license would expire at the end of the following March.

The amendment also increases the late fee from $3 to $5 for anyone who fails to meet the time frame, and the charge to replace a lost license or tag would go from $1 to $2.

The license fee for any dog deemed to be dangerous would be raised from $150 to $500, according to the ordinance.

There are some exceptions to the licensing charges. Service dogs, used to assist disabled persons, and those used to help people with hearing problems would not be charged for a license, according to the amendment. Previously, only Seeing Eye dogs were exempt from the charge.

"I was told by [Finance Director] L. Mason Neely that we are allowed to raise the fees, so we did," said council President Nancy Pinkin. Not only will the increased fees bring in more money, but they will also help the township pay for the services each animal requires.

Pinkin said she is a supporter of "user fees," or having township services funded by those who use them. Some school districts, including East Brunswick's, have begun using such fees for after-school activities and sports.

"If you own a dog or cat, you should pay your share of that, as opposed to someone who doesn't [own a pet]," Pinkin said.

Among the costs the township incurs for pets are vaccinations, the animal control office, and responses to calls about stray or troublesome dogs and cats, she said.

The fee for vaccinations was eliminated in October 1980, according to the ordinance.

Also proposed for an increase is the fee charged to owners of pets that have been picked up and impounded, which would rise from $20 to $85 for each incident.

There are also a number of new restrictions on cats.

Previously, only dogs could be considered to be disturbing the peace. Now, noisy cats would also get their owners in trouble, according to the ordinance. In addition, unaltered cats cannot run around "at-large" any longer, and must be on a leash while in a public place. Cats also would not be allowed to cause any property damage.

It would be up to the animal control officer and police department to investigate complaints and issue summonses, as has been the case.